Pro Torch Roofing replaced the flat roof on a campus building at UBC in Vancouver with a 2-ply SBS torch-on membrane. The work was sequenced in sections so the building stayed fully occupied, with daily tie-ins to keep every exposed area watertight overnight. Expected service life: 25–30 years.
The challenge
Institutional roofs are big, busy and never empty. Mechanical units, vents and conduit cross the field; people are working underneath the whole time; and the building owner needs proof of what was done, not just a handshake. The existing membrane had reached end of life, with blistering and open laps around the rooftop equipment.
What we did
Phasing
We divided the roof into sections sized to what the crew could strip, re-sheet where needed and fully cover in one shift. Each day's work was tied into the existing membrane with a torched temporary seal before the crew left, so a surprise overnight rain never found an open deck.
2-ply SBS torch-on
Torch-applied SBS base sheet and granulated cap sheet across the full field, with all laps torched and probed. Around every curb and penetration we stripped in reinforced base-sheet flashings before the cap, so the most vulnerable points have three layers, not two.
Safety and documentation
Open-flame work on an occupied building means a written hot-work plan, fire extinguishers at every torch, a fire watch after each shift and our $5M hot-work liability policy. The owner received dated photographs of every phase and a written warranty.
The result
A continuous 2-ply roof across the whole building, completed without a single closure, and a photo record the facilities team can hand to the next person in the chair.
Slide through the job. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Questions about institutional and commercial re-roofing
Can you re-roof a building while people are working inside?
Yes. We phase the roof into sections that are stripped and fully re-covered in one shift, tie each section into the old membrane overnight, and schedule noisy tear-off outside core hours where needed.
What does a commercial torch-on roof cost in Vancouver?
Pro Torch Roofing installs 2-ply SBS torch-on at $10–$20 per square foot. Large open fields sit toward the lower end; roofs crowded with mechanical equipment cost more because of the detailing.
Is torch-on safe on an occupied building?
With a hot-work plan, torch-safe base sheets at walls, extinguishers at every torch and a fire watch after each shift — yes. We carry $5M hot-work liability insurance specifically for this work.
What documentation do we receive?
Dated photographs of every phase, a written scope of what was installed, and a warranty. Facilities managers and strata councils use these for their own records and for future maintenance planning.
Managing a large flat roof?
Free drone inspection and written scope. We call back within two business hours.
