Universal Master Flash

The Universal Master Flash is a pipe and vent flashing made by Aztec Washer Company for the metal roofing industry. It is designed to fit virtually all panel configurations on metal roofs. The flashing has a base that molds to most panel configurations and roof pitches, regardless of pipe location, and a sleeve whose flexibility absorbs vibration and pipe movement caused by expansion and contraction.

Ten sizes are made, the Mini and the #1 through #9. The top is cut on site to suit the pipe, and the pipe diameters are visible on the flashing for fitting. A high-temperature silicone version is made for wood-burning fireplaces and stoves.

The Mini, #1 and #3 have closed tops. The other sizes have a top opening, given for each below. Bases run from 4 in. (101 mm) on the Mini to 25 1/4 in. (641 mm) on the #9, and the part numbers shown are for black EPDM.

• Mini, RD051BA: closed top; pipes up to 1 in. (25 mm); base 4 in. (101 mm).
• #1, RD101BA: closed top; pipes up to 1 7/8 in. (47 mm); base 4 3/4 in. (120 mm); overall height 2 7/8 in.
• #2, RD201BA: top opening 1 3/4 in.; pipes 1 3/4 to 3 in. (45 to 76 mm); base 6 1/4 in. (159 mm); overall height 3 1/2 in.
• #3, RD301BA: closed top; pipes up to 5 in. (127 mm); base 7 3/4 in. (196 mm); overall height 3 3/4 in.
• #4, RD401BA: top opening 3 in.; pipes 3 to 6 1/4 in. (75 to 160 mm); base 9 1/4 in. (234 mm); overall height 4 in.
• #5, RD501BA: top opening 4 1/4 in.; pipes 4 1/4 to 7 1/2 in. (108 to 190 mm); base 10 1/2 in. (266 mm); overall height 4 1/2 in.
• #6, RD601BA: top opening 5 in.; pipes 5 to 9 in. (127 to 228 mm); base 12 1/2 in. (317 mm); overall height 4 3/4 in.
• #7, RD701BA: top opening 6 in.; pipes 6 to 11 in. (150 to 280 mm); base 14 1/2 in. (368 mm); overall height 6 in.
• #8, RD801BA: top opening 7 in.; pipes 7 to 13 in. (175 to 330 mm); base 16 1/2 in. (412 mm); overall height 6 1/2 in.
• #9, RD901BA: top opening 9 in.; pipes 9 to 20 in. (228 to 508 mm); base 25 1/4 in. (641 mm); overall height 8 3/4 in.

The flashing is made of EPDM rubber or high-temperature silicone, compounded for resistance to weathering from ozone and ultraviolet light. EPDM colors are Brown (BN), Black (BA), Dark Gray (NG), Gray (GA), White (WT), Dark Green (DG), Light Green (LG), Dark Blue (DB), Light Blue (LB), Bright Red (BR), Terra Cotta (TC), Copper (CP) and Tan (TN).

Silicone is available in red (RA), gray (GX) and black (BX). The last two letters of a part number are the color code, as in RD051BA for the Mini in black EPDM.

The EPDM and silicone compounds are tested separately for ozone resistance, temperature range and compression set.

• Ozone resistance: 70 hours at 500 pphm for both EPDM and silicone.
• High temperature, intermittent: EPDM to 275°F (135°C); silicone to 500°F (260°C).
• High temperature, continuous: EPDM to 212°F (100°C); silicone to 437°F (225°C).
• Low temperature: EPDM to -67°F (-55°C); silicone to -101°F (-74°C).
• Compression set, maximum: EPDM 25 percent; silicone 50 percent.

Master Flash was used to create a new engineering standard for profiled roofing by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) for the Uniform Plumbing Code. The Universal Master Flash is listed with IAPMO certification No. 3121 and is also listed for use with Type B vents. Fire-retarding agents milled directly into the rubber compound give it a self-extinguishing feature, which enables its use with Type B vents.

The Mini is specifically designed for solar and electrical applications. Its single port takes cables or wires, to accommodate copper pipe and electrical cabling. Its pipe range is a closed top up to 1 in. (25 mm).

The High Temperature Universal Master Flash is made of high-temperature silicone in red, black and gray. It comes in 10 sizes for pipes from 1 to 19 in. (25 to 482 mm), with bases from 4 to 25 1/4 in. (101 to 641 mm). It is designed to fit virtually all panel configurations for wood-burning fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.

The pipe or duct diameter is checked first, and the matching size is selected. The maximum pipe diameter of a size is used only on minimal roof angles, and the next larger size is selected for extreme pitch or surface irregularity.

Installation is shown in five steps: measure and trim, slide, form, seal and complete. The materials named are the flashing, fasteners, washers, snips or scissors, a measuring tape, a marker or pencil and sealant.

• The flashing is cut at least 20 percent smaller than the outside diameter of the pipe.
• One size larger is used on steep roofs or deep corrugation.
• The base is fastened with Master Seal bonded washers and fasteners placed 1 to 1 1/2 in. apart around the entire base.

Trim steps are charted for each size. The #6 trims in half-inch steps from 5 to 9 in., the #7 in half-inch steps from 6 to 11 in., and the #9 in one-inch steps from 9 to 20 in.

The EPDM versions are warranted for 25 years and the silicone versions for 35 years.

Related products in the Master Flash line include the Extreme Angle Master Flash, Master-Flex, Fire-Blox, Solar-Flash, Square Vent and 35 Year Master Flash.