PHP Roofing Blog

Sticking a few pipes on a rooftop sounds pretty simple. But, as any good architect or building engineer can tell you, there’s a lot more to it than that. Inadequate supports can result in sagging, vibration, excess movement, and even pipe collapse. That, in turn, can cause extensive damage, incurring both repair costs and, depending on the severity of the damage, work stoppage. That’s why the design of rooftop supports is such an important part of any commercial building plan. There are a number of things to consider, each of which could change your final specifications. These are a few of the most important factors:

Sometime this spring, OSHA is expected to release new rules regulating workers’ exposure to silica dust. These rules are expected to include two sets of standards, one for general and maritime industries, and one for the construction industry – and they could have a huge impact on your roof safety and standard procedures. Here’s what you need to know: 

Skylights are popular for a reason. They add an extra dash of beauty to any commercial building, and they’re a great source of free lighting. But there are also drawbacks, and, if you’re not aware of them, the costs can end up being far greater than the benefits. Whether you already have a skylight or are considering adding one to the design of a new roof, make sure you’re prepared to deal with the downsides: 

One of the most critical aspects of engineering a roof design is calculating weight loads. Mistakes can cause catastrophic overloads of pipe supports, employee injuries, or even worse, death. Every roof is different, so there is no magic formula that guarantees the right answer in every situation. But there are common factors that should be considered when calculating roof loads. Here are a few of the most important considerations: 

Everyone in the construction and/or facilities management industry is familiar with the need to comply with OSHA for worker protection and roof safety. But what a lot of employers don’t realize is that OSHA regulations have limitations – and that some states have passed laws that go above and beyond what the federal program requires.

It’s the bane of construction experts and architects alike: fitting as much as you can into a space that’s much smaller than what you really need. When your available space is non-negotiable, your only option is triage. In other words, you have to make decisions between the “nice” and the “necessary,” which means prioritizing things like roof supports, roof walkways, and other types of equipment and piping. 

2015 has ended and you know what that means: lots of resolutions for how you’ll live a better, healthier, kinder, neater, and more punctual life in 2016. Many of those resolutions will be long forgotten by the time the first spring flowers make their presence known, but there are some you really should keep: like the ones about ramping up your roof maintenance and care. 

The logic behind purchasing roof supports is pretty simple: Doing it costs far less money than not doing it. But some building owners need convincing. If you’re trying to negotiate purchasing rooftop supports with a building owner who’s trying to cut costs, here are some persuasive, bottom-line talking points to help you make your case. 

You’ve probably got a few funny stories about trying to talk to potential customers who really don’t understand what it is that you do. You might find yourself answering the same question 20 times, offering an in-depth explanation of a detail that is totally irrelevant to the success of the project, or offering reassurances that your recommendations aren’t just an attempt to drive up the price tag. Commercial roofers are no different.

Everybody knows TED. Just like Facebook, Adele, and Star Wars, TED is everywhere. The challenge is finding the good stuff, the diamonds that are buried among thousands of uploaded videos. We’re going to help you out with that. If you’re an architect, you absolutely have to watch these three TED Talks. They’re guaranteed to inspire you to see your work – and possibly your whole career – in a different way.