Flat roof trough/weird thing

This roof is a very hard rubber type roof with an elastomeric coating. I haven't cored it yet, but the underneath shows a metal pan. What's up with these troughs? Are they a metal pan builtin to the deck of the roof? Do you think I should plan on adding a bunch of tapered for this job? I doubt they will spring for that as their business isn't doing so hot right now.

Any input appreciated. edit: can't upload pics for some reason

www.garydcloverroofing.com/images/coated1.jpg www.garydcloverroofing.com/images/coated2.jpg

Thanks for the advice. I'm somewhat decent at prep work, especially considering my history of impatience for slow processes.

There was ~1.25" fiberboard over a metal deck. In a low spot the elastomeric happy guy put down a morter/sand product to take out the pond, and that's about where it's leaking. I'm going to put on a crude patch and a re-coat that small area if they aren't ready to tearoff. *shutters*

Rust is not our friend on a deal like that. From the pictures it looks like the basic system has been functional. There was a guy who used to write a column in one of the trade magazines who used to say, "Prep, prep, prep!!!" He passed away some years ago but of course he will always remain right.

I helped install several of those over the years. Some were on residences that weren't really favorable to install interior drains in. :) Some were commercial properties that were either designed that way, or the boss talked them into. We used tinner's tongs on some to make a singe unit 50' long, or longer, usually galvanized metal.

I have no long term knowledge of how long they lasted, or whether or not there ever were any issues with any of them.

The best way of running them involved priming, then running the roof material over the flange and intot he gutter instead of relying on a great seal along the edge alone. For instance, I always run Mod-bit 1"-2"s over any DE of other lip, and cover tapes at least 1/2" past the lip.

As for drinage, they worked pretty good and didn't clog as bad as drains. :)