Rebecca, All Wrenches,
I think it would be great to hear some feedback from other roof-dwelling
Wrenches; past and present; on this issue. Aside from any obvious electrical
hazards from installing PV (which are much easier to control), the actual 'roof
work' is the biggest safety issue that needs to be addressed.
I recently installed a 4.4 kW system on a 60 degree roof pitch (home was built
in '78 with solar thermal/PV in mind) Fortunately the yard allowed for me to
get a man-lift in there, so to me that was obviously the best way to go.
Otherwise the only other option i considered was maybe those roof jacks i
picked up a while back, but haven't tried yet.
Does anyone use roof jacks regularly for steeper roofs?
I noticed in the recent HP issue that the installers were using the module
mounting rails as 'roof jacks"! Convenient maybe, but personally i would be
quite hesitant at adding all that extra strain going up and down on the rails
and the L-feet roof penetrations. Please enlighten me if i'm being too
cautious here. Its not like i've never braced myself on the rails/L-feet
before, but i've never solely relied on them as a working platform or for
keeping me on the roof.
I frequently go on roofs without being tied-off, but you have to be very
confident in yourself and your abilities. However it is always good to be
reminded that confidence is useless in a free fall, ...slips and trips happen!
I install (and use) roof anchors whenever possible. I have shutdown jobs
before because i felt that the roof was too steep to work off of safely, and
felt that working from ropes would be too time consuming, so i would end up
getting a lift. Which also helps drastically reduce wear and tear on the roof
material itself. Have you ever noticed how much roof material is left in the
gutter after you've spent some time on the roof (mainly from asphalt shingles)?
So aside from cowboyin' it, what are some preferred, tried, tested and true
methods for safely installing a steep roof PV system?
I look forward to sharing some ideas on this topic.
cheers,benn
DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. b...@daystarsolar.ca780-906-7807 HAVE A SUNNY DAY
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email, including any attachments, contains
information from DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. and/or its affiliates, which may
be confidential or privileged. The information is intended to be for the use of
the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, be
aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this
information is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please
notify the sender immediately by "reply to sender only" message and destroy all
electronic and hard copies of the communication, including attachments.
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:09:54 -0600
From: solarp...@gmail.com
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Roof anchors and proper rigging
Rebecca,
A great post, with lots of good information and a wonderful attitude. However,
there are some small nits that I feel compelled to pick, hopefully without
distracting from the value of your message.
Clear caulk has little to no UV resistance, and will degrade much quicker than
colored. In addition, most caulks are not compatible with the asphalt base of
most 3-tab or architectural shingles. Read the label before proceeding.
Tying off to a vehicle is a really, really bad idea, for just the reasons you
bring up.
Rock on!
Phil Undercuffler
On Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 7:17 PM, Rebecca Lundberg
<rebecca.lundb...@powerfullygreen.com> wrote:
Hi Ryan,A few thoughts on this. One, it is all about safety, and more than any
code or compliance concern, you should be concerned about the safety of you and
your crew, because that's basically why code is written. I spent 12-hours today
and 12-hours yesterday (who needs the gym?!) hanging from a 12:12 pitch roof to
install solar modules on one of my job sites, and my roof safety knowledge was
put to the test because I had only 6" to work from on the eave and side edges,
so my entire roof safety was based on that roof anchor and my gear -- there was
no way to work in a safe way without it.
Roof anchors are not a big deal -- they are easy to install and easy to remove
and caulk with clear caulk so the attachment point is not visible when you are
done. How often does the homeowner inspect the roof peak for goodness sakes?
The caulk covering a roof anchor hole would never be visible from anywhere, and
if installed right a PV system should not require any kind of maintenance
outside of a rare module replacement or something. Sometimes the roof pitch is
shallow and perhaps a roof anchor per person is not needed, but my job site
this week required one roof anchor for each of us -- your life is at stake
here, it is important to understand the value and limitations of these
products. I have done PV installs on a standing seam metal roof, and I would
argue that a roof anchor installed permanently (and painted) with the original
installation on a metal roof is a VERY good idea, because after-the-fact roof
anchors are not feasible, and the chance of needing to get up there sometime
during the life of the roof is likely, and NO travel on a steep pitch metal
roof is safe without being anchored. But putting a roof anchor on a residential
roof after the fact is SO not a big deal.
Attaching to the truck in the driveway might be a safe solution, but only IF
the angle of incidence is correct for your safety, i.e. only if the truck is
parked exactly opposite where you will be working on the roof. Also, it is only
safe until your partner needs to run an errand to pick something up and forgets
you are attached to it. Not really funny, I have heard REAL stories of this
happening to a colleague.....
Rather than a vehicle I prefer to use a sturdy tree on the opposite side of the
house if this is absolutely the best option and a possibility. For a temporary
scenario, i.e. a site assessment on a steep roof or on any icy roof in winter,
I use my partner as a safety belay on the north side of the house. Yes, we
throw a climbing rope over the house and use tried and true climbing gear,
knots, communication protocol (with walkie-talkies), and procedure to help us
be safe. The person providing the belay needs to be 'sturdier' than the person
on the roof, usually, unless they are also tied off to a tree.
In short, two suggestions. Yes, take an OSHA course so you are fully informed
of the legal requirements and safety reasons for making sure of roof safety.
And, and just as important in my opinion, I'd suggest you hook up with someone
who can give you some real fixed-ropes climbing experience. I'm not kidding,
this is THE most valuable skill I have as a solar installer. I've taught my
subcontracted electricians about roof safety, and ensured that my crew has the
best oversight possible because I KNOW what it takes. There is nothing akin to
hanging off an exposed cliff, hundreds of feet in the air, with nothing but
you, your climbing gear, your climbing harness, and your rope, to ensure your
safety. This sort of scenario really taught me how to evaluate my gear and
various scenarios so that I will live to see tomorrow and pursue my work
towards a more sustainable lifestyle for America. Fixed ropes climbing is also
fun! My ascending/rappelling skills are used weekly in my work as a residential
solar installer, and a good knowledge of safe knot options has been invaluable
as-well. If you can't find a climbing gym locally, find an adventure racing
team (more here:
http://mandatorygear.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=30)
and ask them to spend a few hours training you in -- I'm certain you'll gain
some valuable skills from the effort.
Sincerely,Rebecca Lundberg
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer ®
Owner/CEO, Powerfully Green
Executive Board Member, Minnesota Renewable Energy Society
Convenor, Solar Minnesota
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail & Messenger are available on your phone. Try now.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9724461_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
