In the winter season, a fairly large amount of snow accumulates on the roofs of buildings, which can be dangerous both for people working on the roof and for people and property under it. This article will consider roof railings designed to reduce the risk of a worker falling off a roof or sliding snow masses as a result of thawing under the influence of the sun's rays.
In order to prevent the sliding of snow masses, it is necessary to install a special fence on the roof, which performs the function of snow retention and prevents the avalanche of snow from the roof.
Snow guards make it possible to make the snow flow from the roof uniform, preventing the convergence of entire layers, the weight of which can exceed several tons.
After the installation of snow retainers, special tests of the roof fencing should also be carried out, on the basis of which it can be concluded how fully the safety of this roof is ensured.
Useful: in European countries, a prerequisite for the commissioning of a construction site is the erection and testing of roof railings, without which the building will also not be insured.
If the construction is carried out competently and in accordance with the norms, it is advisable to design and equip roof railings even before the installation of the roof covering is completed.
To fasten snow retainers, special self-tapping screws are used, which are screwed into holes made in the roofing material. To increase the reliability and tightness of the roof, self-tapping screws are sealed using rubber bushings.
Such roofing fences as snow retainers are divided into several types, selected in accordance with the material used to cover the roof, for example, tubular and bent from a sheet of metal (budget).
The roof fencing test report shows that tubular snow retainers are a fairly effective way to equip a roofing system that performs snow retention.
Their installation is carried out in the same way that is used for the installation of conventional roof fences or bridges.
Tubular snow guards for roofs can be mounted on roofing materials such as seam, corrugated board, metal tiles, etc. In addition, they can be powder-coated in the desired color.
In case of a limited budget for a roof fence, you can also use a cheaper version of snow retainers - budget bent metal sheets, the material for which can be steel with a polymer and galvanized coating.
roof fencing
During the operation of the roof, there is a constant need to gain access to it for inspection, maintenance, repair work, etc. In order to ensure the safety of the implementation of the above measures, the roof fencing should be equipped even during the construction of the building.
According to building standards regulated by GOST, roof fencing is mandatory if the building height is over 10 meters and the roof slope does not exceed 12º, and also if the height is over 7 meters and the slope is more than 12º.
Roof fencing with railings, regardless of the height of the building, is provided for the following elements:
- Flat operated roofs;
- Outdoor galleries;
- Loggias and balconies;
- Outdoor platforms and stairs located in open space.
It should also be borne in mind that different types and designs of roofs are used in the construction of different buildings. . By design, pitched and flat roofs are distinguished, and flat ones are also divided into flat roofs operated and unexploited.
The design of the operated roof provides for the possibility for people to go to the roof in order to carry out the necessary work, install various equipment, periodically remove snow from the roof, etc.
In this regard, this type of roof must necessarily have a reliable, durable fence, which is subject to the same requirements as for balcony fences:
- In the case of a building height of less than 30 meters, the minimum height of the fence is 110 cm, and with a height of more than 30 meters - 120 cm;
- When installing a fence on an existing parapet, the height of the fence being installed is reduced by a value equal to the height of this parapet;
- Between the vertical elements of the roof fence, a distance of no more than 100 cm should be observed, and between horizontal elements - no more than 30 cm.
Despite the fact that the design of an unused roof does not provide for the appearance of people on the surface, maintenance and roof repair requires the installation of a roof fence, the minimum height of which is 60 cm, regardless of the number of floors in the building and its height.
The distance between the horizontal elements of such a fence should not exceed 30 cm.
In order to ensure the safety of operation and repair of pitched roofs, the installation of such elements as snow guards, roof railings, roof ladders and bridges is also required.
Currently, technologies make it possible to manufacture a metal roof fence with a powder coating applied to it, which increases the strength of the fence and its resistance to negative external influences, as well as improves the external attractiveness of this roof element.
For any fence, an important characteristic is not only its safety, but also aesthetics and a harmonious combination with the overall appearance of the building.
When erecting a roof, to ensure its safety, the norms and requirements of SNiP should be observed - roof fencing must be present on all flat roofs in operation, regardless of the height of the building, as well as on roofs with a slope of no more than 12º and a height of more than 10 meters, and buildings with roof slope angle over 12º, if their height exceeds 7 meters.
The standard device for roof railings is a prefabricated structure, which includes vertical supports and two horizontal bars rigidly fastened to them. For the manufacture of supports, a steel corner bent in the form of a triangle in the lower part is used.
In this case, the vertical side of the resulting triangle takes on the functional load, the horizontal side is used for fastening to the roof surface, and the diagonal side provides additional structural rigidity.
The support should be aligned with the roof slope and fixed with bolts, then fastened to the roof beam in the lower part of the roof sheet using three galvanized and rubber-lined self-tapping screws.
Important: the following parameters are recommended for the construction of roof railings: the height of the supports should be about 70 cm, the distance between the supports and the edge of the cornice should be at least 35 cm, the distance between adjacent supports should be from 90 to 120 cm.
Horizontal crossbars are made of steel pipes, the length of which is 300 cm; for their installation in the supports, special holes are provided in which the crossbars are fixed with a self-tapping screw with a drill. The remaining free ends of the pipes are closed with plugs.
For the manufacture of roof railings, materials such as stainless and galvanized steel, copper, aluminum, etc. can be used. If necessary, railings can be painted in any color that best suits the roofing.
Starting to build a house, in particular - ruberoid roofs, you should be aware of the danger that it can pose in the winter season, as well as during repairs or maintenance.
Snow falling on your head or falling from a roof can cause irreparable harm to health, so you should take care in advance that the roof is as safe as possible for people. To do this, use the methods listed in this article.
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