Description
The fastest way to ruin a good flat roof is to bolt something to it. Every fixing through the membrane is a deliberate hole in the only thing keeping water out, and on an EPDM, TPO or single-ply roof it also tends to void the waterproofing warranty that made the roof worth paying for. Yet the pipework, ducting and condensing units still have to go somewhere.
Ballasted support frames solve it by sitting on the roof rather than through it. Each frame is a pair of uprights and a cross-member in 41mm slotted strut channel, bolted into two heavy recycled-rubber feet that spread the weight across the membrane and grip without adhesive or fixings. Nothing is drilled, nothing is sealed, and the whole run can be lifted and repositioned when the plant layout changes.
What it carries
- Insulated pipe runs, condensate lines and refrigerant pipework
- Cable tray, basket and conduit containment
- Rectangular and spiral ductwork
- Small condensing units and ancillary plant on cross-bearers
- Solar cable management and inverter mounting on flat roofs
Specification
| Frame type | H-frame: two uprights, one cross-member, fully adjustable on the slot |
|---|---|
| Channel | 41mm slotted strut channel, hot dip galvanised |
| Feet | Two heavy-duty recycled rubber feet per frame, 350 x 350 x 95mm |
| Fixings included | Two galvanised angle brackets, eight M10 bolts, eight M10 channel nuts per frame |
| Frame heights | 500mm, 750mm or 1000mm channel |
| Pack sizes | 4 frames or 8 frames |
| Fixing method | Free-standing and ballasted. No penetration of the roof covering |
| Compatibility | Accepts standard 41mm channel fittings, pipe clips and clamps |
| Supplied | Flat-packed for assembly on site, plain and unbranded |
Spacing and how many you need
Frame spacing is driven by what you are carrying, not by the frames themselves. As a working rule, service pipework on a flat roof is usually supported at 1.5m to 2m centres, so a 12m run needs seven or eight frames rather than four. Order the pack that covers the run with a frame at each change of direction and either side of any valve or joint, and follow the pipework manufacturer's own support centres where they are specified.
Frequently asked
Will the rubber feet damage an EPDM or single-ply membrane?
The feet are designed to bear on a roof covering and spread the load rather than concentrate it. On a new or soft membrane, or over insulation with limited compressive strength, set them on protection pads. Our EPDM rubber walkway pads work well underneath the feet.
How does it stay put in high wind?
The frames rely on the weight of the frame plus the services they carry. On exposed or high-rise roofs, or where the run carries little weight, add ballast or tie the run into adjacent plant. Do not assume a lightly loaded frame will hold on an exposed parapet-free roof.
Can I adjust the height after assembly?
Yes. The uprights are slotted along their length, so the cross-member can be repositioned with a spanner. That is also how you level a run across a roof with a fall in it.
Do I need different frames for a roof with a fall?
No. Use the same frames and set each cross-member at its own height to keep the pipe run level. This is the main practical reason to choose the 750mm or 1000mm channel over the 500mm.
What about the roof underneath?
If the covering is coming to the end of its life, deal with that first. We supply 1.5mm EPDM membrane cut to size and full EPDM flat roof kits, and it is far cheaper to re-cover before the plant goes on than after.
Ordering
Choose frame height and pack size above. Frames are supplied flat-packed with all brackets and fixings and assemble with a single spanner. For long runs, step-overs where the route crosses the pipework, or a mixed-height run, our GRP step-over access platforms and PVC roof walkway matting complete the installation.
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