Roof safety elements
In order for the roof to perform its functions properly, it is necessary to periodically inspect it and, if necessary, carry out cleaning and repair work. Roofing safety elements will help to avoid difficulties in roof inspection, prevent accidents and maintain the high quality of the roof covering.
Roof maintenance is inevitably complicated by the difficulty of moving, especially if the roof has a large slope. In this case, the risk of injury increases significantly and it becomes necessary to install devices that would ensure a safe stay on the roof.
These devices include walkways, roof ladders, penetrations, and fences. Using the slope intercept form calculator, you can easily get the calculation done by yourself.
In addition, snow guards are an important safety feature. They protect both the roofing itself from premature wear and tear, and people and nearby objects from the avalanche-like descent of snow boulders. In this article, we will consider what are the elements of roof safety and their functions.
Roof safety: protection elements
From time to time, there may be a need to climb the roof of a private house in order to clean, repair, or inspect the roofing, and you may also need access to chimneys and ventilation ducts. Since movement on the roof, especially with a large slope angle, is difficult and dangerous, it is necessary to provide it with protective structures.
security elements
The roofing itself needs protection, even the most expensive and high-quality ones. This is where protection elements such as seals and snow protectors come to the rescue.
Why is it so rare to install protective roof accessories?
There are two explanations for this. The first is the misleading opinion that additional structures spoil the appearance of the house. In fact, this is not the case.
Today it is possible to order roofing accessories of any design and size. And if the owner of the house wants the elements of the roof not to be conspicuous and practically invisible, this is very easy to achieve.
The second is the unwillingness to spend money on what it would seem that you can do without. But such an investment can be considered conditionally free in the long term since a complete set of roof accessories allows you to extend the life of the roof covering. In addition, moving on the roof without the help of special structures is fraught with damage to the roofing.
Now in more detail about the specific elements of roof safety.
Roof ladder
A roof and facade stairs are irreplaceable structures made of metal pipes, with the help of which you can get to the roof without any difficulties and without risking your life, and then just as safely go back down.
Ladders allow for a routine inspection of the roof, repair and maintenance work, installation of television antennas and air conditioning systems comfortably and without risking health.
Roof penetration
The passages through the roof, which are formed during the installation of ventilation pipes, antennas, electrical cables, sandwich chimneys, and other communications, must be sealed to avoid leaks. The ideal option would be to install roof penetrations – waterproofing elements used on any type of roof.
Passages are both universal (for antennas and lamps) and narrowly directed of various types and shapes, depending on the purpose (outlet of pipes, sewer ventilation, roof hatches; ventilation of the under-roof space, etc.).
Roof bridge
Roof walkways are steel lattice structures with bumpers and anti-slip teeth for safe movement on pitched roofs. They simplify the maintenance of roofing communications (chimneys, antennas, ventilation ducts), as well as carry out repair and cleaning work.
For increased safety, a railing can be installed on the roof ladder. A variety of bracket options allows the bridge to be installed on any type of roof.
Additional functions of roof bridges:
- prevent snow avalanche;
- protect from external damage, including direct contact with the roof;
- Sometimes they function as a ladder.
Roof railing
In many European countries, roof rails are legally binding roofing elements for buildings taller than a story.
The roof fencing is carried out from the edge along the entire perimeter of the roof using metal vertical structures, which are installed on supports to the solid lathing.
This design prevents people and objects from falling from the roof, thereby ensuring safety. Like the roof bridge, the guardrail acts as a snow retainer and prevents unexpected snow from falling off the roof. For more convenient movement, the roof railing can be installed on the walkway.
Snow holder
Beautiful multi-pitched roofs in the winter season can pose a threat in the form of the formed icy boulders hanging over pedestrian areas. Their sudden fall can result in serious injury and damage to nearby objects and structures. You can avoid such consequences by different methods of snow removal, more on this here.
Today, the most popular and democratic way is to install a snow retainer. A roof safety element that prevents the sudden collapse of snow masses. The most effective type of snow holder is snow cutters.
They allow you to get rid of snow with safe parts while providing protection not only for people and objects but also for the roofing itself.
Sealant
Roofing seal provides protection against moisture and insects entering the under-roof space
Roof sealant performs the function of sealing the gaps between the roofing material and the roof finishing elements (end strip, cornice, ridge). The use of a sealant excludes the penetration of water and dirt under the roof. And its mesh structure provides ventilation of the heat-insulating layer.
Roof seals are made of an elastic and durable material: polyurethane foam or polyethylene foam, depending on the purpose. Seals with a self-adhesive layer are very convenient to use. Their installation takes a minimum of time and effort.
Vane
The weather vane, or as it is also you can call in this case, the chimney cap. In addition to being a decorative element, also performs the function of protecting the chimney from blowing out.
With the help of a weather vane, the smoke does not linger in the house but comes out from the leeward side. Taking with it all the combustion products and increasing the stove draft. In addition, the chimney vane protects the chimney from rainwater.
So, the installation of roof safety elements is not just a convenient addition to the roof covering. But an essential condition for the reliability and durability of the entire roofing system. Do not forget that little things make everything big! Just buying an expensive and high-quality roofing material is not enough – in order for it to maintain its quality characteristics for many years, appropriate care and regular inspection are required.
Roof safety elements you can purchase at the Metal Roof Center at competitive prices.
