Commercial buildings often utilize the building roof for mechanical and electrical equipment. Placing the equipment on the roof maximizes the building space and is a great location for these supports and equipment.

Unfortunately in many cases, non-engineered pipe supports are fabricated based on immediate need and not long-term performance. Quick fix options may seem like an economical solution but may cost building owners dearly in the long run.

Major Problems to Consider:

• Buildings expand and contract as temperatures rise and fall. Thermal expansion and contraction can lead to premature and/or accelerated failure of pipe and pipe connections. Fortunately, pipe movement by itself is not an issue, as long as the pipe supports used are designed to accommodate the movement.
• The weight distribution of pipes and conduit is rarely considered when last-minute field fabrication takes place.
• Wood blocks or supports constructed of wood naturally deteriorate over time in a rooftop environment.
• The use of wood sleeper supports may violate local building codes, check with your municipality prior to using wood blocks on the roof.
• Improper support design can cause damage to the roof membrane, roof structure, and interior assets. The roof itself is typically the first thing to fail in a support system.

Proper selection of pipe and conduit rooftop supports:

• Weight load and job-specific conditions should be carefully considered.
• All supports should be constructed using material that can sustain environmental conditions (weather, heat, cold, water, corrosive environments).
• All supports must provide a stable base that can adequately distribute the load on the roof membrane or the roof structure (depending on the application).
• Supports should be designed for load and type of piping (gas, water, steam, ammonia, air duct, etc.)

For More Information on Rooftop Supports, Click Here

Unistrut Midwest is here to help you solve your rooftop conduit or pipe support issues. Our sales experts can help specify the right base at the lowest price point so you can save time and money on your next project.