We all know the importance of “preventive medicine” – those dreaded annual checkups and biannual dentist visits – but many of us don’t take any action until there’s a problem. It’s a gamble: Sometimes we win, saving time and money while escaping negative consequences. Other times, though, what would have been a small problem takes advantage of that time to develop into a big problem, costing much more in both time and money than if it had been nipped in the proverbial bud.
Rooftop pipe supports don’t get the respect they deserve. They might look like they don’t do much, but if the pipes or ductwork they support fall and land on your roof, the damage could be catastrophic. It could even shut down your business! So, when you buy rooftop supports, it’s important to know that the ones you choose can do the job. The safest way to do that is to go with pre-engineered supports.
Climate change has become a hot topic over the last few years – it seems to always be in the news – and we’ve heard a lot about how rising temperatures will affect our world. But we’re just now beginning to understand the specific implications for different industries. The roof construction industry, in particular, has some work to do to accommodate a warming planet. That work falls into two categories: risk mitigation and environmental impact.
Topics: Rooftop Support Engineering, Roofing Management, Roof Architecture
Properly installed and maintained rooftop equipment can be a great way to optimize otherwise unusable space – but the “properly installed and maintained” part is critical. Every component – the equipment, the roof supports, and the bases – has to work together the way it’s supposed to. Here’s what you need to know to make your roof supports an asset rather than a liability.
If you’re in this business long enough, you’re going to see any number of seemingly minor mistakes result in disastrous consequences. Businesses are under constant pressure to control costs, so it’s easy to understand why a building owner or facilities manager might try to save a few dollars. But, all too often, cutting those corners winds up costing far more than it would have to do the job right in the first place.
Your roof support system is only as good as the materials used to build it. Since roof supports undergo constant exposure to the elements, protection from corrosion is essential. The process that protects roofing materials from corrosion is called galvanization. There are a few different ways to accomplish it, but the methods do produce somewhat different results. And, when it comes to roof support systems, those differences matter.
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.
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.
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.
