The word “design” probably doesn’t come to mind when most people think of business rooftops, but it should. It’s not only about aesthetics when it comes to planning and design. In the long run, a thorough design approach allows for the most efficient use of space, saving you time and money. A dedicated rooftop support system allows you to make the most of your rooftop space while also providing a safe and well-organized environment for maintenance and building staff. Accidents and roof damage can be avoided with proper planning.
You’re planning to fail if you don’t plan your roof.
The most important thing for facility managers to realize is that the roof isn’t just for storing large or ugly equipment or equipment that needs to vent into the atmosphere. The roof, on the other hand, is a place where people do their work. Although it is not a common site for individuals to work, plumbers, welders, electricians, roofing consultants, and roofing contractors must occasionally use their skills.
As a result, rooftop equipment must be designed on a human scale. At a fundamental level, this means that lanes must be broad enough for individuals to comfortably walk through while carrying tools and equipment. This will make it easier for employees to work (and walk) on the roof, which is a good thing because it’s desirable to keep personnel on the roof for as little time as possible.
Furthermore, travel lanes should ideally be placed away from the roof edge. This complies with OSHA requirements, which prevent contractors from working near the roof edge without the use of safety equipment like rails and safety harnesses. In other words, the more room you give your contractors to maneuver—and the further away from the roof edge you keep them—the safer they’ll be and the more effectively they’ll complete the job.
Maintain a low-cost structure while keeping workers safe.
Another reason to plan your roof is to make better use of the materials used in its framework. Wires, pipelines, and HVAC ducts are all expensive to install. You’ll be able to maximize their use by positioning this equipment more efficiently, deploying the least amount of material to cover the entirety of your structure.
For example, you can’t just put your rooftop HVAC unit anywhere—it needs to be above a roof beam for structural support, it needs to be in an area with adequate space for it, and it needs to have enough room for specialists to operate around it. This means you’re already dealing with a lot of restrictions. However, by planning ahead of time, you’ll be able to save money on the ducting that goes with it.
Finally, clever cable, duct, and pipe arrangements imply fewer obstacles for rooftop workers. At the very least, no employee should ever be required to climb over an obstacle—this is extremely dangerous because it can lead a worker to slip and fall. Even at ground level, this type of disaster is dangerous, but it has the potential to be fatal on rooftops. Even a few inches from the ground, an obstruction has the potential to trip a worker, resulting in a potentially deadly situation.
Rooftop Support Systems can help you plan your roof efficiently.
Even if space is limited on your roof, rooftop support systems can assist employees in safely navigating obstacles and accessing maintenance equipment. Because rooftop support systems effectively add a third dimension to the rooftop, this is the case. You can use a cable tray to lift it overhead or an elevated walkway to climb over it if there’s a cable run that would otherwise be in a pathway that you wish to keep for your personnel.
The loads are transferred to the building structure rather than the roof sheeting with mechanical plant platforms.
At Con-form Group, we specialize in designing unique zero penetration roof access walkways that can help you make the most of your commercial roof’s available area. This increases worker safety lowers costs, and aids in the planning of rooftop infrastructure regardless of available space. You can visit us at con-formgroup.com