Fixing to an asbestos roof

[pvman]

Has anyone fixed hanger bolts to an asbestos roof? We have a potential customer who would like a 50kWp system but has an asbestos sheet roof. Does any one have any experience of this, is it possible and if so do you need specialist contractors to fix the bolts?

Thanks

Tom

 

[Earthstore]

First of all you need to get a sample of the roofing tested to see if asbestos is present, if it is then you should get a specialist in to do the drilling, basically a man in a white suit wearing a mask, it is not too expensive, but it is an additional cost.

Also you will have to have the roof netted inside just in case you fall through, but if the roof is fragile you may have to work off of boards also.

Some installers do not bother about any of the above, it all depends on how diligent you are really, and how long you want to live...

I hope this helps.

 

[pvman]

Thanks Earthstore.

I know there is asbestos present so we will need the man in the white suit, I'm sure some installers would just drill away themselves but not us.

Tom

 

[Gavin A]

tbh so far we've advised getting the roof replaced with corrugated metal, or new stronger fibreboard prior to installation, as most asbestos roofs are now pretty old anyway and likely to need replacing at some point within the PV installations lifetime, and it then saves all the costs of trying to deal with the hazards of asbestos.

or we kinda put the installation on the back burner and let someone else have the headache if they want it.

 

[pvman]

Up till now we've taken the same view Gavin.

If you remove the existing roof and replace it don't you still have the same problem removing the original sheet as well as disposal problems.

with all the aspestos roofs out there we will have to do one sooner or later and 50kWp makes it more attractive.

Tom

 

[Worcester]

just for infor - 50kW roof - just one side replaced will probably cost in the region of 15-20K to re-roof in trapezoidal sheet (they'll have to net it, dispose of properly etc etc )

 

[Gavin A]

Up till now we've taken the same view Gavin.

If you remove the existing roof and replace it don't you still have the same problem removing the original sheet as well as disposal problems.

it turns it into someone elses problem, as we'd not be offering to do the work.

with all the aspestos roofs out there we will have to do one sooner or later and 50kWp makes it more attractive.

Tom

true enough. In which case I'll have to takethe don't know option, and watch this thread with interest. TBH I've been meaning to set up a meeting with a specialist in this sort of field to pick their brains / look at the potential for some form of partnership / get an idea on pricing for reroofs etc but haven't got round to it yet.

 

[MorganPVI]

It's the customers roof and ultimately the customers problem, if you own an asbestos roof then you'll have to deal with it at some point, before or maybe after the panels are installed. Cheaper now to have the roof replaced whilst the scaff is up, worse case get a specialist team in to drill the hangers and charge a premium. I'd encourage the customer to replace the roof now, the feed in tariff will cover the cost and now you have a sweet new roof and no worries. Win-win.

 

[mogga]

as mentioned request the client has roof replaced specialy as these roofs are OLD and extremly fragine apart from the drilling moving boards equipment panels no matter how carefully WILL disturb the fibers and if weight is placed in the wrong place WOOSH your through it and the whole kit caboodle becomes your problem