Mounting solution for corrugated cement roof

[SolarCity]

They're just what I've been looking for. Did they seem secure enough when they were fixed to the purling? Any lateral movement? And did you break and boards while you were installing?

 

[JSS]

No Absolutely spot on!!!
I spent 3 days literally sat in front of the computer searching for them. Every company I had spoken to about mounting on this type of roof suggested hanger bolts.
All the stress is on the spacer rather than the board.
No movement at all. The only way they were going to move was if the whole building came with them!!!!!!

 

[SRE]

Thanks JSS - for your info, Schletter's available from Waxman Energy and that's the system we've been looking at as well as Schuco.

 

[SRE]

No Absolutely spot on!!!
I spent 3 days literally sat in front of the computer searching for them. Every company I had spoken to about mounting on this type of roof suggested hanger bolts.
All the stress is on the spacer rather than the board.
No movement at all. The only way they were going to move was if the whole building came with them!!!!!!

Did you come across problems with voiding the warranty by drilling into the z's? Our customer seems to think that it will void the 30 year warranty if the z's are breached.

 

[SRE]

I've been checking out the warranty issues with this type of install because we had a customer with a new commercial building that he wanted to install pv on. This is the response from the technical guy from the roof manufacturer after I'd sent through the video of the Schletter fixings:

I did have a look at the video, found it a bit scary. Not keen on cutting holes in the sheeting, metal spacers which will cause thermal bridging or the small sealing washers which didn’t really look up to the job although the video related to single skin sheeting and --- are proposing to use insulated panels so that should do away with the need for the metal spacers.
I have attached the terms and conditions for our AS35 panel warranty. Section 4.6 says that the warranty does not apply to damage or failure resulting from modifications or alterations to the panel after installation and I feel the fixing method you are proposing would be covered by this.
You will see from the panel terms and conditions that Steadmans warrant that the panel will perform to its original specification for its guaranteed period but the coating of the panel is covered by the coil manufacturers warranty. I am still waiting for a reply from the coil manufacturers with their comments on how fitting the solar panels may effect their warranty.

So in a nutshell the 30 year warranty is void once we've drilled through the roof. I know this is different to the original query about corrugated concrete but it's very relevant to a lot of commercial installs.

 

[GreggElectrical]

Not sure if you are ok to work on it but licensed contractors are. A company I used to work for often came into contact with asbestos in schools and hospitals. The general rule was get it checked if you are unsure. You would be surprised how many times a building was checked for asbestos and given the all clear only to be found later on by a plumber or electrician. Usually the asbestos stayed as long as it was stable but the work of fixing cables etc was given to a specialist contractor and we kept well away!

I would expect everyone on here has had contact with asbestos at some time but are probably unaware, it was in everything at one point! You know the old school plug in pot fuses? they have a white powdery fabric flash guard underneath them. Guess what, its asbestos! Now how many times have you pulled one of them fuses out and some of the powder has escaped? I tell all my lads not to touch them DB's. If you are employing people you are putting them at risk as well as the buildings occupants.

Having said all that there are many materials that look and feel like asbestos but are not asbestos. As said before, get it checked is my advice.

Interesting point is that asbestos deaths are increasing year on year even though it has not been in use for over 25 years.

 

[JSS]

Further to a few replies; firstly this was definitely a concrete fibre roof, so asbestos was was not an issue. Seccondly, in the application we used them there were no guarantees to void so they worked perfectly.

 

[SRE]

Great news - has anyone any solutions to newer roofs with the guarantees though?????? We've got 3 jobs that we've been snookered with because of the warranty issues...

 

[SRE]

BiggsSolar - roofing kit went on on Friday - 1 day for 9.8kwp's worth of roofing & first 6 panels - all went on like a dream. Rest of panels going on tomorrow.

Might be a stupid question but are roofing kits covered by MCS? I don't think they are but I've got a customer who is a fabrication welder and he thinks he can get round his 30 year warranty issue on a new install. I'm thinking that if a structural engineer reckons it's sound and we can fit the appropriate rails it might be ok. Any thoughts??

 

[SolarCity]

Nice work, SRE, that's good going.

Regarding the mounting kits, I think they need to be to a certain standard of steel that won't degrade in extreme conditions, rather than an actually have to be certified by MCS.

 

[ams]

As a qualified asbestos surveyor I can provide the following information:

• You should have a sample of the roofing material analysed by a UKAS (United Kingdon Accreditation Service) approved laboratory prior any work to determine if there is asbestos present:
• If it does contain asbestos work with this type of material is not notifiable to the HSE under The control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2006 and a license is not required to work with it:
• However, it still comes under those set of Regs and the necessary Risk Assessment and Plan of Work must be produced prior to work:
• The Risk Assessment etc should include the use of the necessary PPE & RPE for all operatives:
• There should be an application of a suitable fibre suppresant i.e 'Fibrelock' prior to any disturbance of the material:
• Any occupants of the building should be protected during all works from exposure to unaccceptable high levels of airborne asbestos fibres:
• You should check to determine if there is a liner panel on the underside of the roof sheets as this often is found to contain asbestos.
• In all, I would advise contacting the local HSE office and ask for their advice.

Hope this helps.

 

[MLC-Tom]

Hi JSS, I have been searching all over the place to locate a supplier for these fixings, Schletter themselves gave me some names that came to nothing and Segen out supplier says they are a 'bispoke' item so cannot stock them. Are you able to tell me the distributer so I can get hold of some. Thanks

 

[JSS]

Give me a call 07922 094 682

 

[JD6400]

Hi MLC-Tom
Be careful if you are fixing into anything other than well specked metal purlins , as there is absolutely no room for adjustment if the roof is not bang on level .
This is not to bad on the smaller systems , but will make a noticeable problem on the larger systems .

 

[rt1200]

By HSE A9, I thought we were ok to work on it. We can have the area shut down while we fit the panels (the unit isn't occupied at the moment yet) and we'd use crawling boards anyway.

If we win the job, we'll take a sample from the roof to get checked out - before we sign contracts. Frankly, if it is asbestos, and it takes us a week longer to install because of this, we'll still go for it. And we'll be sure to keep on the right side of the HSE.

Hi Biggs
it is legal for a bona fide contractor like yourself to undertake work on certain non licensable asbestos products such as asbestos cement. You would need to do a risk assessment and devise a method statement. You NEED to check that your insurance covers you for work on asbestos as this is where most fall foul. There cannot be anyone occupying those areas in which your working. It might be better to sub out the work of drilling through the sheets to a licenced asbestos contractor. It may appear expensive but nowhere near as much if something goes wrong. A similar project in my neck of the woods did go wrong and the final cost of the clean up was over a million pounds! Non of this is a reason not to do the job but if you low on competence in the sphere of work you will need to bring in that comepetence. After all, you wouldnt let an asbestos remover rewire your home would you?