Mounting solution for corrugated cement 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 https://www.electriciansforums.net/attachments/a9-pdf.120194/ . 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!!!

 

[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.