Contact Us

Warranty Request

AMPELITE – Commercial Roofing – SOLASAFE SS40

Solasafe SS40 – Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate Roofing

cost effective commercial roofing
Great range of profiles
Bromine Free - Group 3 Surface Finish

Solasafe SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate is a high-performance polycarbonate skylight sheet used on commercial, industrial, and other buildings to admit natural light. Solasafe SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate can form complete roof coverings or be incorporated into profiled metal roofing and cladding systems; and ranges from simple single-skinned to double-skinned applications.

Solasafe SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate is a very durable roofing material, many times tougher than glass, with excellent light transmission and fire safety performance. It has a very low heat deformation temperature and melting point, similar to that of industrial fibreglass sheeting, and is compatible with most commercial roofing profiles sold in New Zealand.

Solasafe SS40 Brochure
Sheeting Information
Installation
Fire Report

Solasafe SS40 – Sheeting Information

PLANNING

Sheeting Lengths & Thickness
SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheeting is available in lengths of up to 10m and has a thickness of 1.2 mm.

LIGHT & HEAT TRANSMISSION 1.2 mm

COLOUR LIGHT % HEAT %
Clear89%82.40%
Opal53%35.20%

Available Profiles & Spanning Capacity
SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheeting is available in three profiles: SS40/1000, a unique profile with a cover of 1000mm that side laps onto most commercial metal roofing profiles sold in NZ; 5 Rib to fit most 760mm cover profiles; and LT7. Please download our list of popular profiles.

WIND LOAD

SPANNING 1.0 Kpa 1.5 Kpa 2.0 Kpa DRAPE CURVE RADIUS
1.2 mmMidEndMidEndMidEnd1.2 mm
SS40/10001400mm1200mm1300mm1100mm1200mm1000mm14m
5 RIB1200mm1000mm1100mm900mm1000mm800mm9m
LT7, ST7, SILBERY1400mm1200mm1300mm1100mm1200mm1000mm18m
For information regarding recommended spans in high-wind and cyclonic regions, please contact your local Ampelite office.

AMPELITE – Solasafe SS40

INSTALLATION

Download Solasafe SS40 Installation Guide

Solasafe SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheeting shall be installed in accordance with Ampelite fixing instructions and AS/NZS 1562.3:1996, Design and installation of sheet roof and wall cladding, Part 3: Plastic, the requirements of the NZ Building Code and the NZ Metal Roofing Manufacturers’ Association Code of Practice.

For full installation details, please download a copy of our Installation Guide.
Please note these additional important requirements
Solasafe SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheeting shall be installed using the fastening length applicable to the main roof. The sheeting must be installed by pre-drilling 12mm oversize holes to allow for expansion and contraction. The fixing screws shall be located in the centre of the rib and must not be overtightened to such an extent that the sheet buckles, allowing water penetration at the seal or sheet overlap. Fixing should be made at every crest at both ends of the sheet and at every crest at intermediate purlins and midspan supports if used. SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheeting shall only be installed using the unique SS40 Metal profiled washer along with an EPDM washer, which ensures the fixings remain watertight.

To ensure accuracy, Ampelite recommends the following:

  • Install screws into the SS40 sheeting in the same manner as metal.
  • When completed, remove fixings from the SS40 sheet.
  • Using the existing screw hole as a guide, re-drill, oversizing the hole.
  • Reinstall the fixing screw. (Note how the screw is centrally located in the hole.)
  • Do not over-tighten the screw putting undue pressure on the SS40 sheet.

Purlin Protection

Safety mesh must be incorporated under the SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate roof sheeting. Where the SS40 roof sheeting passes over safety mesh sitting on the supporting purlin, an SS40 profiled foam strip must be placed directly under the SS40 sheeting. This profile strip will protect the SS40 from damage and support the profile when fastened.

Side Laps

SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheeting has its own profile with an effective cover of 1000 mm, which will side-lap with most 40 mm steel profiles commonly sold in NZ. The metal roof sheets will need to be laid with accurate spacings left for the skylights. Each individual SS40 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheet is manufactured to overlap and be supported by the adjacent roof or wall cladding. A 25 mmx5 mm compressive foam tape will need to be applied at the side-laps between the steel and SS40 sheeting.

End Laps

All end laps must have a minimum of 300 mm overlap. A polycarbonate compatible sealant must be used and Ampelite recommends that a bead of sealant is used at both the top and bottom of the fastening point. This should be a co-polymer sealant specifically formulated for use with polycarbonate. Incompatible sealants will weaken the sheeting and the use of these will void the warranty. End lapping should only be applied to roofs with a minimum pitch of three degrees.

Mid Span Supports

Where a single sheet of SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate is to be used as a skylight, and thus placed between metal roof sheets, the mid-span support will allow the SS40 sheet to be installed on Purlin spacings that exceed Ampelite’s maximum span limitations for the sheet. Where two or more SS40 sheets are laid side by side, purlin spacings must be reduced to suit the maximum span stated in the Ampelite spanning chart.

Sealing at Flashings

The use of end-stops is required to prevent wind-driven water from running past the flashing and into the building. Typically, a metal angle is folded and a polycarbonate-compatible sealant is then applied where the SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheet meets the metal angle Alternatively, a closed foam strip matching the SS40 profile sheeting can be bonded to the pans or valleys of the sheet with a polycarbonate compatible sealant. Ideally, the strip should be fitted at least 100 mm behind the turn-down of the flashing.

Wall Cladding

Pan fixing is required at each girt, and the use of Ampelite grey dome 22 mm weather seals will ensure the cladding is weather-tight. Over-tightening or flattening of the weather seals must be avoided. Fixing must occur in every pan at both ends of the sheeting, and in every other pan at intermediate girts.

End Closure Strip

Foam-filler strip is available to suit most profiles and should be installed at the ends of the SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheets, to keep out dirt, birds and vermin.

Cutting

Should the SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheeting need to be cut on-site, the use of a circular saw with a small tooth blade suitable for plastic sheeting is recommended. Care should be taken to achieve a cut with minimal damage to the sheet.

Storage

SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheeting should always be stored in a dry and fire-safe area. Do not store heavy materials on top of sheets, as they may fracture.

Recycling and Disposal

Solasafe SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate is recyclable and can be disposed of in a landfill.

Non-trafficable

Ampelite translucent sheeting is a non-trafficable material, Ampelite Webglas sheeting should be installed where foot traffic is required. Sheets should be handled with care to avoid damage to the surface coating. Guarantees will not apply to sheeting that has been mechanical damaged as a result of foot traffic.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Warranty
Solasafe SS40 Group 1-S Industrial Polycarbonate sheeting carries a twelve-year warranty in regards to light and water transmission. The co-extruded layer on the outer surface of the sheet forms a protective barrier against the detrimental effects of UV light, minimizing long term yellowing and maintaining mechanical properties.