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.

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.  

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:

Should you get a professional engineer stamp? According to the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), government agencies, educational institutions, and private industries are requiring contract work with licensed professional engineers in greater numbers today. Not only is a PE Stamp of higher demand, it also shows that you hold your work to a higher standard. So, in other words, yes, you should.

If you live in a part of the world that is susceptible to earthquakes, it is absolutely imperative that you take steps to insure that the roof pipe supports are up to the challenge. While it’s always a good idea to work with an experienced pipe support design professional when mapping out any new (or retrofitted) rooftop support system, this is especially important when the building is located in an area with frequent seismic activity.

Earlier this month, we wrote an article about some of the most common pipe hanger and support installation mistakes we often see in the field and suggested fixes. Now, we'd want to expand on that article and talk about another issue we often see in the field: improper roof equipment supports installation. Specifically, heavy equipment supports including those for  AC units, signs, solar panels, telecom equipment, air handlers, and chillers.

No matter what type of building you are planning to construct – a commercial warehouse, industrial or manufacturing facility, hospital, or school – designing reliable, functional rooftop support systems are essential to protecting the health and safety of occupants and the service men and women responsible for maintaining the equipment located there. 

Together you and your client have conducted research, evaluated your options, and have finally made an investment in pipe hangers and supports. The last step is to install the rooftop system. We know how important it is to get the job done right the first time and avoid costly mistakes.  To help you avoid installation issues we have created a list of the most damaging mistakes we have seen made.  Check out the following tips and red flags before installing your next project: