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When someone falls, someone gets hurt—and the risk is doubled if you’re on top of a roof. Even if you fall on a roof (as opposed to falling from the roof to ground level or a lower-level roof structure), you can still be in considerable danger. That’s because a roof may contain hazards that you wouldn’t want to impact with your body, such as pipe supports, live electrical equipment, or rusted metal. There’s even a danger of falling through a roof if you happen to be standing near a weakened area or a skylight. In other words, rooftop fall protection is more important than most may think. With so many hazards in play, it’s no wonder that roofing accidents make up over one-third of all fatalities in the construction industry. Since you believe in worker safety—plus avoiding fines and bad publicity—it’s likely that you are interested in the guidelines and techniques that make up rooftop fall protection and prevention. Here are the top four ways to get started: 1. Study New OSHA Guidelines...

Very few people should ever get to see what it looks like on top of a commercial roof. Rooftops are unequivocally dangerous, with falls from rooftops representing over 33% of deaths in the construction industry. By this metric, building owners need to make it relatively difficult for anyone to get on top of a commercial roof, with barriers in the form of locks, special training, permission slips, and time sheets. In short, no one should be able to access your roof without learning about its safety features, getting a key from a designated individual, and logging their time. There’s a different side to the coin, however. Once your workers have passed the hurdles you put up to prevent them from freely accessing the roof, they should be able to get around easily and safely. This means the addition of handrails to roof edges and elevated spaces, crossover ramps to traverse elevation changes and cable runs, and access platforms next to maintenance equipment. This allows workers to get to ro...

In the realm of industrial and commercial operations, ensuring optimal performance and safety via roof pipe supports is not just a goal – it's a mandate. The landscape of building regulations is rather critical, and a crucial aspect often overlooked is the design and implementation of effective roof pipe support systems. These unassuming yet indispensable structures play a pivotal role in safeguarding both the performance of rooftop equipment and the safety of workers. Drawing insights from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, this article delves into the multifaceted realm of roof pipe supports. We will highlight their paramount importance in enhancing performance and safety across industries. We will also take a closer look at how PHP Systems/Designs can help improve your rooftop’s integrity while ensuring equipment safety. Guarding Lives &Adhering to OSHA Mandates In 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) introduced a f...

  PHP Systems/Design, a leader in innovative rooftop equipment design, embodies a commitment to safety and compliance in architectural and building management solutions. Pioneering in "zero penetration" roof support systems, PHP ensures each project upholds the highest standards of safety, aligning with their ethos of “Building It Right.” This discussion explores PHP's role in advancing rooftop equipment design for optimal safety compliance. The Evolution of Rooftop Equipment Design Rooftop equipment design has historically grappled with balancing functionality and safety. Traditional methods often compromised safety standards, leading to structural and management challenges. PHP Systems/Design innovated this field with the introduction of “zero penetration” roof support systems, a method that eliminates the need for invasive installation processes, thus preserving roofing systems' integrity and enhancing safety standards. Innovations in Material and Design for Safety...

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. Of course, the simplest solution is simply to hire a roofing company to inspect your roof for you. However, conducting your own inspections has advantages, too. You will almost certainly save money, and you will gain a more intimate understanding of your building that may help you make wiser maintenance decisions in the future. When Should You Inspect Your Roof? Ideally, commercial roofs should be inspected both before and after severe weather seasons. Severe weather includes both the winter cold of northern locations and the extreme heat and direct sunlight experienced during Southern and Western summers. Both extremes can weather and damage roofs, so it is a good idea to prepare for them, and to inspect for d...

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. Here are some of the top roof safety concerns, along with solutions to consider: 1. Unauthorized Access Keeping unauthorized people off the roof is much easier than ensuring their safety once they are there.  Access to the roof should be restricted. Keep any doorway leading to the roof locked. If you are operating a hotel, a shopping center, or other public facility you may also want to locate a surveillance camera in the area. Even the presence of a mock camera can deter would-be explorers fro...

Last winter delivered record-breaking snowfalls for much of the country, and many places have already seen the first snowfall of the 2015 fall/winter season. While meteorologists are still scratching their heads as the “Godzilla El Niño” and the “Siberian Snow Monster” battle for control of our weather, there’s one thing we do know: Any amount of snow or ice can take a toll on both your commercial rooftop (flat roofs are especially vulnerable) and your rooftop equipment supports. The Problem: Snow  Snow is heavy. One cubic foot of dry snow weighs about seven pounds, and one cubic foot of wet snow tips the scales at a whopping 12 to 18 pounds. That can push your roof to its load-bearing limits. To make matters worse, if you panic and send your maintenance crew up to clear the snow, the additional weight could lead to a roof collapse. Ice For sloped roofs, the biggest problem with ice is that it can form ice dams, which can, in turn, cause leaks. That happens when snow or ice melts a...

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:  1. Leaks  Skylights are famous – or maybe that should be infamous – for leaking. Over time, the seals and flashing can deteriorate, providing an opportunity for water to penetrate your roof. Things like rain, snow, and debris can accelerate the process. Modern skylights are less prone to leaks than older versions, but even the best skylight can leak if it isn’t installed properly. There’s an additional leak risk, too: ice dams. Skylights transfer heat to the surrounding roofing material, causing any accumulated snow to melt. That, in turn, can contribute to ice dams, eve...

Regular roof maintenance is vital for keeping your roof watertight and preventing expensive future problems. One of the most important things on your roof maintenance checklist should be your pipe and equipment supports. Identifying and troubleshooting problems early will help ensure a long-lasting roof system. To lengthen the lifespan of your roofing system, regularly check your rooftop for the following signs of failure. 1) Sagging pipes and ducts Flexing or sagging pipes or ducts are a good indication that your rooftop supports are too far apart to bear the weight of the pipe and its contents. The proper spacing of supports depends on the weight of the pipe or duct. You may need to install additional supports or change the fittings to prevent your pipes and ducts from flexing or sagging. >> Read More: 8 Factors to Consider When Planning Roof Pipe Support Spacing >> 2) Cracks in support bases If the weight of the pipe or duct and its valves, fittings and pipe contents exc...

While 15 years might seem like a long time, building owners know that this average life expectancy for roofing materials and RTUs can fly by quickly.  rooftop-retrofit-challenges That’s especially true when your traditional built-up roof starts showing signs of water damage. Suddenly you’re left with a choice—maintain the rip-and-replace cycle or make an investment in rooftop retrofit projects. More than ever, building owners are taking the retrofit path to unlock the benefits of long-lasting, low-maintenance roofing. However, rooftop retrofit projects aren’t without their challenges. Whether you’re looking to fully retrofit the rooftop or retrofit individual rooftop units (RTUs), here are some potential challenges to keep in mind.   3 Considerations for Full Rooftop Retrofit Projects   There’s nothing simple about fully retrofitting your commercial rooftop. The most important thing to remember is that every project is unique. Your decisions will depend on building size, ...

Even if you live in a relatively dry climate, the summer might be one of the worst seasons for your commercial roof. The sun can damage nearly any exposed roofing material, and strong summer storms can take advantage of this damage if it’s left unmitigated. Now that spring is upon us, it’s the perfect time to begin inspecting your commercial roof and hardening it against the following four factors over the months ahead. Sun Damage: Fading or Deterioration of Materials When a material spends a long time under the sunlight, it tends to bleach. This is a phenomenon known as photodegradation, and it occurs because the heat and energy of sunlight can cause chemical reactions in the material it encounters. Without going into a lot of detail and explanation, it’s enough to say that this chemical reaction causes the material to change so that it reflects sunlight rather than absorbing it. Photodegradation in roofing materials isn’t necessarily an urgent warning sign, but it can be unsightly, w...

Flat commercial roofs don’t have the ability to naturally drain rain, snow, and precipitation the way that sloped roofs do. Therefore, having a durable roof membrane is essential in protecting the building from leaks and other damage that can occur. Protecting this roof membrane should be a priority to ensure the continued longevity of your building’s comfort as well as its materials. How can facility managers protect the most important part of their roofs? What Are the Most Common Causes of Roof Punctures? Roof membranes are designed to take a lot of abuse—but a lot of the abuse they take is passive. These materials are designed to resist long years of UV exposure and heat damage. Some roof membranes are designed to stand up to physical abuse as well, but these are typically more expensive. Many roofing contractors recommend installing these membranes only around the roof perimeter, where they’re most likely to encounter physical stresses. This means that the rest of your rooftop rema...

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. Here’s are some signs that you need to enlist the help of a professional: 1. Sagging Pipes Properly functioning rooftop supports don’t allow pipes to sag. Visibly sagging pipes indicate a support system failure that has progressed to the point of being a serious problem. 2. Wall Leaks or Cracks Wall leaks and cracks are often the result of a failing rooftop support system. The inadequate support can let a pipe bend too much, thereby putting more pressure on the pipe than it was designed to bear. That can cause the pipe to crack, resulting in a through-wall leak and possibly even a crack in the wall itself. 3. Standing Water on the Surface of the Roof Standing water that can’t be explained by ...

When improper rooftop support systems are designed, engineered, or installed incorrectly, they can have a significant impact on the structural integrity and performance of a building’s entire roof area. In fact, the use of improper or inadequate roof equipment supports is one of the most common causes of roof failure – and don’t think that roofing membrane manufacturers and installers don’t know it too! Unfortunately for owners, when roof damage does occur and it becomes time to make a claim, it often does not go as well as they had planned…even when the details of warranty agreement were spelled out in black and white. Understanding Warranty Language Building owners, as well as other principles involved in the construction and ongoing maintenance of a building, should look very closely at the warranty information regarding the performance of the roof. Be warned. This is not light reading material. It can be very challenging to decipher the legalese contained in the warranty document. ...

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. Here are all the places it is vital to install roof walkways:  1. Areas with High Maintenance Traffic According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roofing-related fatalities accounted for 1/3 of fatal falls in construction from 1992–2009. And a 2011 OSHA study reported that falls from elevations cost insured roofers $54 million per year or about $106,000 per injured roofer. These statistics are far...

No matter how big or small your facility is a roof is a huge investment – one you don’t want to repeat any sooner than necessary. If you consider the cost of a new roof, even one extra roof replacement during the life of your building can cut into your profitability. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to extend the life of your roof as long as possible. 1. Routine Maintenance Regular inspections and routine maintenance are the best things you can do to optimize the life of your roof. According to an article by Buildings, annual roof maintenance costs are only about one percent of the cost of a new roof. On the other hand, failing to do regular maintenance can knock 5-10 years off of the life of your roof. 2. Inspections Proper routine maintenance starts with inspections. Start with twice-yearly scheduled inspections, and add more frequent inspections as needed: after a storm, after maintenance has been performed on part of the roof, at the end of winter, etc. In addit...

In today’s complex business world, it’s impossible for anyone to know everything. Business owners are no exception. They’re experts on the products or services they offer, and how to keep their businesses running efficiently and profitably, but most aren’t experts in roof management. Unfortunately, there are a lot of unscrupulous companies that take advantage of that lack of expertise, especially when it comes to commercial roofs.  The last thing you want to do is fall victim to a roofing scam. Here are 6 things every business owner can do to make sure they aren’t taken advantage of the next time you work with a roofing contractor: 1. Thoroughly Vet the Contractor Some contractors misrepresent themselves, so the safest route is always to verify the claims of any contractor you’re considering:  A contractor with “30 years of roof management experience,” for example, could have 10 people with three years of experience each. You’ll also want to verify that the roofer is insured; ...

  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. Pre-engineered pipe supports are, in a nutshell, customized for you and your building. Professional engineers design them just for you, taking into account how much weight they’ll bear, weather and wind conditions, the type of roof you have, what they’ll be supporting, and much much more. It’s the difference between buying a pair of shoes that fits your feet and just buying the cheapest pair of shoes available, even if they’re two sizes too small. So how do you know if your supports are the real thing? Here are a few tips: Pre-Installation It starts with the initial consultation. A...