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Vinyl's Fire Resistance a Plus for Universal Studios Facilities Managers
If one were to describe the rooftop of an average building at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., at the end of an average day, it might sound like the description of a post-skirmish battlefield.
The theme park known for re-enactments of movie scenes complete with extravagant pyrotechnic displays demands an infrastructure that can withstand the abuse the entertainment doles out.
That's why nearly three million square feet of roof space - spanning 40 roofs - at Universal Studios is protected by FiberTite Roofing Systems, the vinyl membranes manufactured by Wooster, Ohio-based Seaman Corp.
The membrane's inherent resistance to fire, and ability to withstand the abuse of chemicals and punctures, made the material an especially appropriate choice for this project. The hot oils and lubricants that power the mechanical hydraulic systems at Universal Studios, and the red-hot debris from the pyrotechnic displays present challenges most facilities managers never have to take into account.
Several years after the park opened, Seaman Corp. representatives found signs of wear on the roof sections most often exposed to fireworks displays and foot traffic from maintenance workers. While they had not anticipated that the roofs would be exposed to such harsh conditions, a simple solution was quickly identified.
"We found that applying our 80-mil FiberTite membrane over the existing membrane provided a remedy that could withstand the ring of fire the rooftops were subject to," said Larry Rauktis, a Seaman Corp. sales representative.
The added layer of protection also strengthened the membrane's other benefits, including its ability to withstand variable weather. Though it's located in the heart of the Sunshine State, Orlando has its share of erratic forecasts. An average year has only 92 sunny days, with the balance split nearly evenly between partly cloudy and overcast skies. The city that plays host to so many of America's favorite tourist attractions also receives about 50 inches of rain each year.
So it is no surprise that Universal Studios would want to outfit its buildings with weather resistant roofs. The last thing any amusement park operator wants is to close exhibits because of leaky roofs.
Another key component of the success of the Universal Studios project, in fact, was the versatility of the roofing material in the face of the challenges the theme park's non-traditional roof designs posed.
"The versatility of the vinyl membrane made the job of navigating the various roof shapes and angles a lot easier," said Ben Smith, Florida sales manager for Seaman Corp. "The architectural designs we needed to accommodate supported our belief that vinyl was the right choice for this application."
The fact that the original vinyl membranes - installed when Universal Studios opened 15 years ago - still perform to the customer's expectations speaks volumes about the quality of the product, but what resonates even louder is that the park has specified vinyl membranes for its roofs as it has expanded.
No matter the hardest rain or the hottest fire, one thing's for sure: Universal Studios and Seaman Corp. have forged a relationship that will keep people coming to the park for many years to come.
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