**4. Conclusions**

A state of the art of the main patents and commercialized products for the improvement and assistance in the installation of asphalt roofing rolls has been made, based on both torches and infrared heating inventions. Their main characteristics have been detailed and collected, as well as the aspects that would require improvement.

Later, two novel systems based on torches and infrared heating have been analyzed and described. The one with infrared heaters has demonstrated an installation speed of 1 m/min, on average, for 3 kg/m2 rolls, which leads to approximately 400– 420 m2 per person a day, and the one with fuel burners has reached an installation speed of 1.75 m<sup>2</sup> /min for 3 kg/m2 rolls, approximately 700–735 m2 per person per day, more than double the usual manual roofing rate. A summary and comparison of the installation speeds are provided in **Table 2**.

This shows greater efficiency in the system with torches, although with radiators it also achieves more than the usual manual roofing rate. Using higher-power radiators, it could be equal to, and even to surpass, the torch model. But, there appears the requirement of electric generators, which in certain circumstances could be more complicated. Both have advantages and disadvantages and may be preferable for depending on what applications. Although the torch system may seem very polluting, by replacing the traditional manual method by the new system, work times are greatly reduced and larger efficiency is achieved, reducing total final emissions. In conclusion, the development of this type of systems can be very useful to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and work time of asphalt roofing.


**Table 2.**

*Installation speeds of the prototypes and commercialized products.*
