PHP Roofing Blog

Green roofs are not new. In fact, the concept extends all the way back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But the move toward sustainable roofing systems and environmental responsibility has cast them in a new light. Companies everywhere, especially in urban areas, are investigating the benefits to see whether a green roof would be a good investment for their company. They’re discovering that there are quite a few benefits.

Rooftops are inherently dangerous places. The reports are out there: Falls from high places are one of the most common accidents in the workplace. These falls can also be extremely costly. According to OSHA, the incurred claims costs of falls from elevation average approximately $54 million per year. Medical care accounted for roughly 2/3 of those benefits.

Your rooftop does a lot more than protect your business from the elements. Your roof can be a platform for HVAC units, vents, antennae, satellite dishes, elevator equipment, skylights, and, for some businesses, even a meeting space. Because rooftops can be such busy places, roof walkways are an important part of protecting both your roof and the people who use it to do their jobs. But you don’t want to turn the entire rooftop into a walkway, so the question becomes where exactly do you need them most? In short, anywhere you need to protect the roof or ensure roof safety for your workers.

Protecting your roof and your workers means knowing when you need expert help. That requires recognizing both the type of problem you have and the seriousness of the situation, and that can only happen when you’re carrying out regular inspections of your rooftop supports and know what to look for.

Safety should be a primary concern in all areas of a commercial building. And your roof is an especially important area to implement safety protocols. In addition to building maintenance personnel, other individuals including contractors and repair people, security guards, insurance agents, inspectors, and window washers may all need access to your roof from time to time. Having a rooftop safety protocol in place will help prevent unnecessary accidents and their accompanying financial costs.

Nothing is more frustrating than having to go back and fix an installation that wasn’t done right the first time. When it comes to installing piping or ductwork on a rooftop, the pipe support design and system are the most important elements that often get overlooked. These oversights can result in unnecessary and costly repairs.

Whether there are hurricanes and tropical storms on the coasts, or tornadoes and damaging straight winds inland, high winds have the potential to inflict serious damage on buildings. And rooftop structures are particularly vulnerable to wind damage! As the interface between roof equipment and the building envelope, your roof supports are a critical element to consider in your precautions against high wind events.  

Most roofing professionals recommend twice-yearly roof inspections. And this is not just about their bottom line! Regular roofing maintenance and inspections have been proven to increase roof longevity significantly. Not inspecting can in some cases even void your roof warranty.

A PE stamp shows your commitment to the standards of proper engineering and signifies to the public that a PE has taken professional responsibility for your project. A great deal is considered when granting a PE stamp. This is an inside look at the professional engineer stamp process for rooftop support systems:

Your roof can be a dangerous place without the proper equipment in place for maintenance professionals. It’s no wonder roofers continue to be at the top of the most dangerous jobs list each year. In fact, the Washington Post just named roofers as the fifth deadliest job of 2013.

Roof walkways are an easy solution to protect employees, equipment, and the rooftop itself. And if you really need convincing, here are four reasons why you really ought to consider installing them as soon as possible: