Steve Mabanding https://www.bestaccessdoors.com 3m 694 #roofhatches
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Roof hatches have served a lot of benefits for every commercial building up to recent times. It provides specified functions for personnel who need to access a building’s roof for various purposes. These tasks are usually the regular checkups, repairs, and maintenance on your roof or other mechanical systems located at the top of your building. They can also be used as emergency hatches to secure entry and exit.
A roof access hatch is an essential element if frequent access to a roof is required. In the case of working in a risky location, it’s an ideal way to ensure workers’ safety, especially when dealing with great heights.
Importance of Fire-Rated Materials
Fire testing procedures are increasing, and it is available from various laboratories worldwide as it’s an essential aspect of creating a safe product for different trusted consumers. The reason for wanting fire-resistant products is varied, but most are either due to safety concerns or product development.
What is Fire-Rated Roof Hatches?
This roof hatch is a robust and heavy hatch made of several durable materials such as gypsum or metal. The fire-rated roof hatch’s primary function is to block the smoke from seeping out of the building and containing the fire. The reason behind its name is that this roof hatch will not combust after a specific time in the event of an unwanted fire. This product will only last long if builders and contractors install it properly.
Every fire-rated roof hatch that builders install needs to follow certain specifications. It also requires specific door sealants and hardware to maintain its fire rating. Your contractors must get the proper roof hatch with the correct fire rating to comply with the building’s strict fire safety codes and regulations. In addition, the time ratings for each fire-rated access door are different, and some standard ratings of the entries range from 20 minutes to an hour and a half. Typically, some government agencies can determine your required fire rating, depending on where your building is located.
Benefits of Fire-Rated Roof Hatches
1. Safe Roof Access
Climbing onto your building’s roof from the outside using a ladder can be hazardous and, at times, impossible, depending on its height. But, accessing your roof by using a roof hatch is a much safer option than the traditional ladder method. This is because roof hatches are strategically placed to ensure secure entry. In addition, combining your roof hatch with interior ladders or stairs will provide swift access to your roof where your staff can help you perform necessary maintenance to keep your roof in excellent condition.
2. Insulated for Thermal Performance
You may instantly think installing roof hatches will minimize your roof’s insulative qualities since it is another exit and entry of your establishment. But this is not true at all. Roof hatches are insulated to ensure that they help your roof retain its high thermal performance and insulation properties.
3. Sound Proofing
Since roof hatches are manufactured with robust and heavy quality materials, they are also more acoustically insulating than the other residential and commercial roof hatches, which is why these hatches can also prevent noise transfer.
4. Building Safety
Building openings increase the risk of unwanted fire instances. Luckily, the fire-rated roof hatch’s insulation helps reduce the risk even further. Manufacturers created fire-rated roof hatches to withstand the heat from fire for a particular amount of time until it can no longer take the heat and the fire will penetrate its surface.
The fire rating is the time it takes for a passive fire protection system to withstand a fire-resistance test. That length of time it can resist fire is more than enough for anyone or the fire-prevention system to eliminate the fire. It can also provide everyone within the building enough time to escape and let firefighters handle the job.
The Takeaway
It is always an advantage if you purchase roof hatches with fire-rated properties. It does not only provide you with a safe entry and exit for your roof, but it can also be an asset for your building’s safety. It is always a wise decision to invest in products that will provide you with a broad scope of benefits.
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