Mounting solution for corrugated cement roof

[SolarCity]

As for these cement fibre roofs Asbestos was apparently used pre 1974 but taking into account for stockpiling I'd assume its in all of this type of roofing until post 2004 when it was banned
We're currently getting a few enquiries on these kind of roofs so been doing my research my main concern is the scaffolding/safety nets etc required
and method of work i can see these jobs being too expensive and awkward to do

I spoke to a friend yesterday evening who reckons that working off crawling boards with foam padding are the way to go. Working on them is definitely a concern, but to be honest with you, the size of the job is so large and the prospect of further work is so great that I am desperate not to let it slip through.

If it turns out that working on these roofs is simply no-go, then so be it. If it turns out that the jobs can be done, if correctly managed, then I've never shied away from that - especially not on a job this scale.

 

[jerriais]

Just a thought, could you get some wood profiled to the shape of the corrugations in the roof, then contact a professional adhesive supplier, glue the wood onto the roof, get a struc engineer to calculate the relevant loads that this could hold, then put your fixing screws down into the wood, sounds like a bit of a hassle but if you avoid even touching the asbestos then it might be a better option?

 

[goodwilld]

jerriais
Would that hold for 25 years????

 

[jerriais]

To confirm that is the struc engineer's job (based on advice from the adhesive suppier), not my field so I'm not sure myself but if I got it in writing that it would I'd be happy to go with it.

 

[SolarCity]

Just a thought, could you get some wood profiled to the shape of the corrugations in the roof, then contact a professional adhesive supplier, glue the wood onto the roof, get a struc engineer to calculate the relevant loads that this could hold, then put your fixing screws down into the wood, sounds like a bit of a hassle but if you avoid even touching the asbestos then it might be a better option?

Interesting idea but I'm not sure I like the idea of it. The corrugated board would be taking a lot of the weight, no matter how well you fitted the panels and I can just see panels ripping the corrugated board off the roof.

 

[jerriais]

You're probably right, the forces acting on the panels wouldn't be transferred back down through the structure so it probably would be too much for the corrugated board to handle. So the best solution if it is asbestos is to get it all removed by a specialist asbestos removal company and refit with something like the Solar Century Energy Roof, then the customer get's a new non-toxic roof and a solid PV system.

 

[grantr37]

forgedaboutit........its just a load of trouble waiting to happen, if they are using an old crappy building like that what are they doing paying out 100k or something for Solar panels? sounds just like one of those times when the customer gets you to shell out then goes belly up owing you loads-o-money....then you go belly up.....how on earth did they get planning permission for that, number 1 it would be an eyesore, number 2 there is not a chance that the council planning would allow a roof like that to be touched....

 

[SolarCity]

forgedaboutit........its just a load of trouble waiting to happen, if they are using an old crappy building like that what are they doing paying out 100k or something for Solar panels? sounds just like one of those times when the customer gets you to shell out then goes belly up owing you loads-o-money....then you go belly up.....how on earth did they get planning permission for that, number 1 it would be an eyesore, number 2 there is not a chance that the council planning would allow a roof like that to be touched....

The company has a load of property in Birmingham and London. They generally take on old industrial buildings and convert them into cheap rent office space. They've been going ages and we've done loads of work for them in the past. We couldn't be more confident that they won't go belly up on us. Their buildings generally receive a lick of paint and retain their industrial look. While it would be nice if they changed the roof, it's just not the way they work. With this in mind, we anticipate a lot of potential work from them in the future and are eager to deal with this problem rather than let is slip by.

As far as I was aware, none of this proposal comes under planning law.

 

[edexlab]

I don't think adhesive would work these roofs are usually covered with lichen, which would need removing first ,read today on a asbestos website that this was not a good idea as in the removal process ,this would release fibres to a greater extent than just working on roof .
Also these panels typically contain around 13% cryolite or white asbestos which is harmful.
Apparently this type does'nt require a specialist removal firm and you can dispose of it at most recycling/waste depots. Makes you think whats in the air at the local tip, at my local facility its put into a big covered skip which has a lid and fibres must come out everytime its opened and closed .In the main they say follow the safe methods of work ie disturb as little as possible ,but the bigger risk is falling through the fragile roofs

 

[edexlab]

heres alink to one of the pages i got some of this info from www.aic.org.uk/asbestos_cement.htm

 

[Morgan keith]

We just come across a similar obstacle so I called the HSE and this was the outcome. Because really the only way you are disturbing the abestos is by drilling it, it is classified as a non-licences task as stated here http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a9.pdf . They said you HAVE to go on an asbestos training course (which is usually about 1 day) to learn safe working practices and how to drill properly and wrk with asbestos safely etc and also this book is apparently essential Asbestos essentials - HSE Books .
What are peoples thoughts on me thinking this is sufficient to carry out the work? Cheers

 

[SRE]

Just about to install on a corrugated concrete roof that was erected last year. Using hanger bolts - if the wind drops I'll let you know how it goes by the end of next week.

 

[SolarCity]

We'd be interested to hear how you get on.

This job has been put on the back burner for the moment (due to other issues) but we're still keen to get it and work around the potential problems. To be frank, if these jobs come off like we anticipate then it will be the most lucrative lines of work I have done since I started in 1992.

 

[SRE]

We seem to be working on a number of 10kwp systems that are taking ages to work through - as you say if they come off it'll be great but we're a bit worried about the time it's taking to pull everything together. I suppose once one comes through, in theory the rest will follow on - ever the optimist!

Our latest problem is trying not to void a warranty on a new commercial building that's going up.

 

[JSS]

We have just installed a 10kW system on a corrugated cement roof into steel purlins. We used a fixing from Schletter.
See link showing video YouTube - FixE_Einfachbefestiger_auf_Stahl
Bit expensive as we had to buy through a distributor as Schletter had not got themselves set up to supply in the UK yet.
Worked very well!!!