Will Your Rooftop Equipment
Be Gone With The Wind?
Roof damage is a major source of property loss each year when buildings are subjected to high winds, wind-driven rain, hail, ice, snow and wildfires. What’ s more, rooftop equipment or pieces of the roof itself can take flight during a windstorm and cause additional damage to the building, nearby vehicles or even neighboring property.
According to Tammy Swenson, EMC senior risk improvement consultant, proper maintenance and inspections of a roof can make the difference between minimal damage and catastrophic failure during weather events. The following tips from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety( IBHS) may help protect your roof and rooftop equipment during a storm.
• The Importance Of Balance: An unbalanced fan in air conditioning equipment reduces efficiency and compromises the unit’ s secure attachment. When a rooftop unit begins to vibrate and shake, contact a qualified contractor to correct problems that may cause the fans to become unbalanced.
• Watch For Corrosion: Corrosion and deterioration are the most common roof problems, causing panels or other parts to become airborne during high winds. Inspect for rusted metal panels, screws and metal flashing on curbs, and replace deteriorated parts as soon as possible. Inspect around the unit’ s connection to the curb it sits on. Check for visible signs of leaks; these can be repaired using various readily available roof sealants and caulks.
• Check And Recheck: While a local contractor or maintenance worker can perform most of the necessary inspections and repairs to keep rooftop equipment in good working order, it is important to inspect the equipment after the work is done to make sure all screws, cables and cable straps are tightened and back in place.
More Research Will Lead To More Solutions
On behalf of EMC clients, Swenson is closely monitoring research initiatives currently underway at the IBHS Research Center. Testing at the lab includes rooftop equipment, with a specific focus on wind load specifications and future prescriptive guidelines for anchorage. Additionally, IBHS plans to test photovoltaic equipment on both commercial and residential roofs to make sure that the goal of“ going green” is consistent with“ staying strong.” The results of these tests will be used to:
• Compare to model scale wind tunnel tests
• Compare to current code provisions
• Evaluate anchorage requirements, based on results
• Make recommendations for future codification, as appropriate
While this research holds promise for improving future designs and installation techniques, there still is no substitute for preventive maintenance and proper care of roof-mounted equipment.
For additional information about maintaining commercial properties, visit www. disastersafety. org.
SOURCE: Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
INSIGHTS ONLINE
SCHOOLS
Improving Chemical Management Programs
More than 53 million children spend a significant portion of their day in school buildings that may contain chemicals that pose increased health risks to children and staff. A new EPA toolkit helps schools improve their chemical management practices.
Don’ t Mix Sports And Lightning
Sports officials must understand thunderstorms and lightning to ensure they make educated decisions on when to seek safety. The National Weather Service recommends officials of organized sports have a lightning safety plan they follow without exception.
PETROLEUM MARKETERS
Hazmat Cylinder Safety Alert
Be on the watch for approximately 496 improperly marked DOT 3AA and 3AL cylinders used in carbon dioxide service. These cylinders may rupture under pressure, potentially resulting in extensive property damage, serious personal injury or death.
Slip And Fall Protection For C-Store Employees
Slips and falls are a leading cause of workplace accidents, representing approximately 30 percent of workers’ compensation claims submitted by convenience store employees. They also pose some of the most costly threats to your employees, with the average cost of a slip, trip or fall accident totaling almost $ 16,000.