You may need to do normal maintenance on equipment that is located on the roof, such as solar panels or antennae. In this case, you will require access to the roof. You and your staff will be able to carry out these responsibilities in a more secure environment if you install a rooftop walkway system. OSHA’s regulations on fall prevention are followed by rooftop walkway systems. This helps to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries that occur on the job. Continue reading to learn about the aspects that need to be addressed while building rooftop walkway systems, as well as which ones are best for your company and which ones you may choose from.
Safety
A rooftop walkway system offers many benefits that can be installed in an office building. The pathways protect the workers who maintain the buildings and reduce workplace accidents. Rooftops are especially fragile substrates that are prone to damage due to their limited weight-bearing capacity. Rooftop pathways ought to be constructed of breathable, UV, wind, and water-resistant materials that are lightweight. Because they help to lower the risk of slips and falls and because they are the finest alternative for installation, aluminium roof walkway systems can also offer you several advantages.
Make sure the roof walkway system you choose has an efficient grille system for drainage so that water doesn’t pool on the sidewalk. Make sure the walkways are equipped with guardrails, either on one side or both. When the path encounters a parapet or valley, rails also provide fall protection. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 mandate that architects and designers consider every safety factor, including fall prevention, when designing rooftop walkway systems.
Durability
When creating a roof walkway system, the requirements in BS EN 516:2006, which deal with prefabricated accessories for roofing and roof access installations, should be adhered to. Two of these requirements are the capacity to support a 15mm deflection at a maximum deflection limit and a 1.5 KN load per 100mm squared span. A demarcated path, a slip-resistant surface, and an equitable distribution of foot load are all requirements for walkways as stated in BS EN 1991-1:2002.
The thickness of a walkway system is one thing that should be taken into account right away. The surface of a waterproofing membrane can become damaged by buildup; thus it must be avoided. To keep the pathway and roof dry, it is recommended to use a drainage layer or protective mat. The rooftop walkway system’s slope toward the roof drain is another essential factor to consider. The rooftop walkway system’s structural integrity could be preserved and water could be directed downhill with the use of a detachable terrace grill.
Cost
A rooftop walkway system can be quite inexpensive. Additionally, a concrete pad will have to be purchased for the system. Once the walkway is put in, the cost of the system will be in your budget. The system will undoubtedly need to be adjusted to provide a place for mechanical systems and other components, even though the cost per square meter can be unexpectedly low. Typically, a rooftop walkway system is required in locations that require frequent maintenance.
Security
A practical technique to improve rooftop area safety is by installing a walkway. The process is streamlined by a rooftop walkway system. It offers a secure, flat walking surface that is free from the risk of falling. Installing it is doable if the homeowner has any knowledge of building and height safety regulations.
Easy Access To Equipment
The equipment on your roof is just as important to the efficient running of your company as the equipment inside your building. Workers can access pipes and equipment more safely when the roof is walkable, which lowers risk and increases workers’ confidence in their abilities to perform their jobs safely every day.
You as the employer must ensure that your personnel has access to the necessary safety precautions, equipment, and training to prevent falls and other mishaps. Safety equipment like lifelines and anchors may not function properly on metal roofs since each roof is made differently.
