Walkway Roof Structures Keep Employees Safe and Protect Your Building
If you are a builder or own a commercial building, you know walkway roof structures are important. The right metal structure protects the safety of workers and the integrity of your rooftop. What should you consider when purchasing a roof walkway? Here we will examine three points that will help you select the right system for your building’s walkway roof structure.
1. What Angle is Needed For Your Structure’s Rooftop Walkway?
The first question to consider when planning a roof structure walkway is the simplest: is your roof flat or pitched? An angled roof is an unsteady surface for a worker to traverse. The risk of falling is higher. Tools or hardware dropped on a pitched roof are likely to fall off the roof, endangering passersby. When placing a walkway system on an angled roof, it will need to be leveled and rail heights may need to be adjusted, depending on the placement of the walkway. The top of the rails should be level with each other and parallel with the walking surface. Flat roofs, however, are not exempt from needing walkways. Rooftops can be windy, but more importantly, commercial roofs are not designed for walking on. Your roof’s job is to keep moisture out and add insulation to keep warm or cool air inside, depending on the season.
2. What Are the Happening Spots on Your Roof?
The next thing to consider is, what else is on your roof? The top of a commercial building may seem barren at first, but there is more going on up there than one might guess at first glance. HVAC systems installers often place fans, ventilation ducts, and compressors on rooftops. Manufacturing companies and chemical plants may have their roofs penetrated by specialized venting and filtration systems. Some buildings have solar panels. You might also find your roof has hatchways, stairways, drains, fire escapes, satellite systems, surveillance equipment, exterior lighting, and more. Any of these items may require periodic maintenance and inspection. That means someone needs to be able to get to these items and do so safely. Taking inventory of the important activities and equipment on your roof will help you plan an efficient path for your walkway and decide if you need to attach permanent ladders or steps to access sections or equipment.
3. What Features Should a Walkway Roof Structure Have?
Now that you know your roof angle and the locations you need to reach on your roof, it is time to check off some desirable features:
- Easy maintenance – You want a system that is durable and modular.
- Strong, yet light – The structure should support the weight of workers, but distribute the load to protect the roof membrane.
- Non-slip – Safety is paramount. The walkway should provide good traction.
- Drainage – Don’t add hazards. Choose a walkway that won’t let water pool or form slippery ice patches.
- OSHA-compliant guardrails – Choose a system that, combined with guardrails, meets or exceeds OSHA standards.
- Attached, but not penetrating – Rooftops are fragile, and leaks are costly. Choose a walkway structure that attaches without piercing the roof membrane.
- Installs easily – A component system that uses clamps and clips can be installed quickly and easily, often with just hand tools.
METALWALK® Is the Best Walkway Roof Structure System for Your Business
Design Components has been in the industry for over forty years due to our commitment to quality, safety, and great customer service. We proudly recommend our METALWALK® Roof Walkway System as the rooftop walkway that checks every box on the list above. It is a modular walkway roof structure system that exceeds OSHA and IBC 2012 code requirements, does not penetrate SSR roof panels, and can even be custom painted.
To find out more about our METALWALK® system, call us today at (800) 868-9910 or Contact Us Now.