What Are the Best Practices for Installing Roof Hatches in Canadian Commercial Buildings? Posted by Best Access Doors Canada on 3rd Oct 2024
Ensure proper sealing, insulation, and secure mounting to meet Canadian safety standards and provide easy rooftop access. These steps are essential not only for compliance but also for preserving the building's overall integrity and functionality. Proper sealing prevents leaks and drafts, insulation helps improve energy efficiency, and secure mounting ensures the hatch stays safe and stable, even in harsh Canadian weather.
In this article, we'll discuss the best practices for installing roof hatches in Canadian commercial buildings.
The Importance of Proper Installation
Roof hatches are essential for providing maintenance teams with safe and efficient access to rooftops, where equipment like HVAC systems, antennas, or solar panels need regular inspections and repairs. Proper installation is key to guaranteeing safety and compliance with regulations.
Below, we explore the key reasons why proper roof hatch installation is a priority:
- Secure Access for Maintenance: Well-installed roof hatches provide safe and efficient access to rooftop systems, ensuring that maintenance teams can perform proper inspections and repairs.
- Prevention of Safety Hazards: Incorrectly placed roof hatches can create significant safety risks, such as unstable entry points and inadequate fall protection.
- Long-Term Durability: Installing roof hatches with high-quality materials ensures they can withstand extreme weather conditions and wear over time. This prolongs the hatch's life, reducing maintenance costs and avoiding premature replacements.
- Enhanced Security: Secure installation includes durable locking mechanisms that protect against unauthorized rooftop access, ensuring that only authorized personnel can enter sensitive areas. This helps improve both security and operational efficiency.
Best Installation Practices for Roof Hatches
Choose the Right Roof Hatch for the Building
Selecting the correct roof hatch is essential to meet Canadian building's needs. Various roof hatches, including steel, aluminum, and fibreglass, are available. Consider the environmental conditions, such as extreme cold or humidity, and select a corrosion-resistant and durable material. Additionally, choose a hatch size that fits the building’s needs.
The BAC-RAH roof access hatch stands out due to its impressive features. Available in sizes from 24" x 30" to 48" x 48", it meets a range of building requirements.
Its smooth cover operation is supported by compression springs encased in zinc-plated telescopic tubes, and the automatic hold-open arm with a vinyl grip adds ease of use. The latching system, with both interior and exterior handles, also includes padlocking capabilities on both sides, offering excellent security.
Consider the Weight Capacity of the Hatch
Roof hatches must be strong enough to support workers, tools, and equipment. Commercial buildings often require maintenance workers to access the rooftop with heavy tools or machinery, so opting for a hatch with a higher weight capacity is critical.
Inadequate capacity can lead to damage, warping, or failure of the hatch, posing safety risks.
Seal the Roof Hatch Properly
Proper sealing is one of the most important steps when installing a roof hatch. Use high-quality weatherproof sealants and apply flashing around the perimeter of the hatch to prevent moisture infiltration.
The seal must be durable enough to handle temperature fluctuations, as these changes can cause materials to expand and contract, potentially compromising the component's integrity.
Prioritize Proper Insulation
In colder regions of Canada, inadequate insulation around the roof hatch can lead to significant heat loss, affecting the building's energy efficiency and comfort levels.
Proper insulation is critical to supporting a balanced indoor temperature and preventing condensation from forming around the hatch. It reduces energy costs by keeping the building’s internal temperature more effectively.
Ensure Secure Mounting
Roof hatches need to be mounted securely to the building’s roof structure. The hardware should be durable and corrosion-resistant to withstand weather conditions like snow, rain, and strong winds. Use the right fasteners and brackets, ensuring the hatch is firmly anchored.
Follow Canadian Building Codes and Regulations
Following local Canadian building codes during installation is non-negotiable. Failure to meet these safety standards can result in expensive fines or safety violations. Ensure the hatch design and installation methods adhere to all the relevant codes to avoid non-compliance, delaying project completion.
Enhance Accessibility and Safety
To reduce the risk of accidents during roof access, integrate safety features like non-slip surfaces, sturdy handrails, and conveniently accessible ladders or stairways. Ensure the hatch is fitted with strong, user-friendly locks that prevent unauthorized entry while allowing safe exit in emergencies.
Adding appropriate lighting around the hatch area can also improve safety, especially during nighttime maintenance. The BAC-RGS roof hatch safety rails are a great addition, designed for all roof hatch applications to create the safest possible workspace.
Schedule Routine Inspections and Maintenance
Even after installation, roof hatches require regular maintenance to ensure long-lasting performance. Routine inspections can catch problems like deteriorating seals, loose hardware, or damage caused by weather conditions. Maintaining the sealants and insulation over time is also crucial to prevent leaks and heat loss.
By addressing minor issues during inspections, you can avoid major repairs or replacements later.
To Sum Up
Installing roof hatches in Canadian commercial buildings requires precision, compliance with local standards, and attention to the building’s unique requirements. Ensuring proper sealing, insulation, secure mounting, and regular maintenance is key to creating a durable and safe roof hatch.
At Best Access Doors Canada, we provide products designed for easy, reliable installation, offering the best solutions for your projects.
Request a free quote to know which works best. For expert advice, you may also call us at (800) 483-0823.