Roof equipment support structures are crucial in modern construction. While they have been around since the 1990s, modern roof equipment support structures have evolved considerably due to better civil engineering and improved materials.
Now, roof equipment support structures are able to help manage the weight and arrangement of various rooftop systems, all while adding to the rooftop’s integrity. PHP Systems/Design excels in providing innovative and sustainable solutions, manufacturing dedicated support structures for different types of commercial and industrial rooftops.
This article takes a closer look at five key innovations in roof equipment support structures that enhance sustainability in buildings.
1. Pipe Supports
PHP Systems/Design offers durable pipe supports made from galvanized steel and aluminum. Galvanized steel is resistant to corrosion, ensuring long-lasting durability. Aluminum, being lightweight yet strong, reduces the load on rooftops.
The use of these materials ensures a long lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements and conserving resources. The design also allows for easy installation and maintenance, further enhancing sustainability.
Pipe supports are essential in managing the placement and security of piping systems on rooftops. They are used in various industries, including commercial buildings, manufacturing facilities, and healthcare institutions.
The primary benefits of these pipe supports include:
- Long-lasting durability compared to traditional supports
- Reduced maintenance needs
- Environmentally friendly materials
2. Duct Supports
Our duct supports are made from stainless steel and UV-resistant plastics. Stainless steel provides excellent strength and longevity, while UV-resistant plastics prevent degradation from sunlight exposure. It also repels water and humidity, hence preventing rust and therefore, weak spots.
These materials minimize the need for replacements, contributing to a sustainable environment. The modular design allows for flexibility, making it easy to adapt to different rooftop layouts.
Duct supports are vital in supporting HVAC systems, ensuring they remain secure and functional. They are commonly used in office buildings, schools, and government facilities for their high strength and durability, versatile and adaptable design, and environmentally sustainable material usage.
3. Cable Tray Supports
Cable tray supports from PHP Systems/Design use corrosion-resistant metals and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). These materials ensure long-term reliability and resistance to environmental factors.
These supports have a long lifespan, reducing waste and promoting a sustainable building environment. They also facilitate organized cable management, improving overall system efficiency. These supports are crucial in managing electrical and data cables, keeping them organized and secure. They are used in various settings, including industrial facilities and data centers.
In case of data centers, they are often coupled with walkways atop the cable trays. This is to prevent accidental entanglement or prevent workers from stepping on the wires.
4. Equipment Supports
To ensure that the supports remain fixed through a wide array of different weather systems and seismic activtiy, our equipment supports are made from hot-dip galvanized steel and stainless steel. This hot-dip galvanizing essentially adds a protective zinc coating. Since the steel has no contact with the weather, the risk of rust and corrosion gets reduced significantly.
Furthermore, these supports can adopt a number of different anchors, depending on the roof type. This ensures that the supports do not impact the commercial roof’s integrity, but at the same time, have enough strength to hold the equipment’s weight and added pressures on it. The anchor types may include, but are not limited to:
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Concrete Anchors: These anchors are designed to be embedded directly into concrete surfaces. They provide strong and secure attachment points for heavy equipment and structures. Concrete anchors are ideal for flat roofs or roofs with concrete decking.
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Expansion Anchors: Also known as wedge anchors, expansion anchors expand against the concrete or masonry surface when tightened. This expansion creates a secure hold, making them suitable for various roof types where concrete or masonry substrates are present.
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Toggle Bolts: Toggle bolts are used for attaching items to hollow walls, ceilings, or roofs where there is no underlying structure to anchor to directly. They consist of a bolt and a spring-loaded toggle that opens once behind the hollow material, providing a strong hold.
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Wood Screws: These anchors are used specifically for wooden roof structures or when attaching equipment to wooden support beams. They provide a secure connection to wood substrates and are typically self-tapping for ease of installation.
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Beam Clamps: Beam clamps are used to attach supports directly to structural steel beams or channels without drilling into the beam itself. They provide a versatile solution for mounting equipment on steel-framed roofs.
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Roofing Screws with Washers: These screws are designed to penetrate through metal roofing materials and secure into the underlying structural support or decking. They often come with neoprene or rubber washers to create a watertight seal around the screw hole.
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Ballasted Mounting Systems: Instead of anchors that penetrate the roof, ballasted mounting systems rely on the weight of concrete blocks or other ballast materials to secure the equipment in place. This method avoids penetration of the roof membrane but requires careful consideration of load distribution.
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Clamp-on Anchors: These anchors clamp onto the edge or lip of the roof structure, providing a secure attachment point without penetrating the roof membrane. They are often used for temporary installations or where roof membrane integrity must be preserved.
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Purlin Anchors: Purlin anchors attach to structural purlins beneath metal roofing panels. They are designed to distribute the load across the purlin structure, providing a secure attachment point for equipment or supports.
Equipment supports are essential for securing heavy machinery and equipment such as HVAC units and solar panels on rooftops,. They are used in various industries, including commercial and industrial buildings.
5. Walkways, Crossovers, Stairs, and Ramps
PHP Systems/Design offers a wide range of walkways, crossovers, stairs, and ramps made from aluminum and non-slip composites. Aluminum is lightweight and strong, while non-slip composites provide safety and durability.
Using these materials ensures long-term performance and recyclability, supporting environmental sustainability. These designs improve safety and accessibility on rooftops, making them a valuable addition to any building.
These structures provide safe access for maintenance personnel, ensuring they can make their way on and through rooftops without risk. They are used in various settings, including hospitals, office buildings, schools, and industrial facilities.
Different roof equipment support structures come together to create a sustainable building system. PHP Systems/Design uses high-quality materials and smart designs to create durable and eco-friendly solutions. Our goal is to reduce waste, save resources, keep your workers safe, and improve the overall efficiency of buildings.
To understand your options better, get in touch with us today to request a pricing. We will help you understand the total costs as well as the different options you may have, based on your requirements and structure.
