The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
You may not have thought about it, but access doors play a vital role in the whole quality of your building. With them, you can keep your essential mechanical systems protected and easily accessible when you need any check-ups and repairs. Standard mechanical systems that require access doors are your plumbing, electric systems, and even your roof.
An establishment’s roof is also a vital factor contributing to your occupants’ safety, security, and comfort. It is practical for establishment owners to install roof hatches to maintain and prevent any gradual damages to their roof that unexpected weather events can cause.
Besides providing timely access to your roof, the roof access hatches also work as another protective layer of security to prohibit unauthorized personnel from getting into your establishment. Most commercial buildings can have different entry points situated at the top of the building. One good example is the duct systems. Although, manufacturers ensure that no one can gain entry to the ducts without cutting through and causing noise to alert security personnel.
But what if your commercial building doesn’t have any roof hatches installed? Here are the possible difficulties you may encounter:
1. Inability to Access Your Roof
Without roof hatches, accessing your roof will need a lot of equipment requiring professionals’ help. Imagine carrying a big and heavy ladder with no assurance of security so that you can reach your roof. Being unable to access your roof will mean a limited ability to conduct regular check-ups to monitor the quality of your roof.
Not having regular check-ups and maintenance will lead to wear and tear due to natural calamities or external elements. In addition, this can affect your occupants’ way of living and comfort, which will set a bad record for you as an establishment owner.
2. Difficulty of Transferring Equipment to the Roof
Some commercial buildings often access their roof to transport large equipment like ventilation systems that the professionals usually install in that area. Because of this, establishment owners prefer to customize their equipment roof hatches to ideal sizes.
If you want to have your roof hatch customized, first, you will need to identify what typical pieces of equipment will need to have access to your roof. If you are also thinking of building your establishment, you might consider this option.
3. Decreased Safety
Besides providing convenient access to maintenance professionals, you should know that the roof hatch is the best way to guarantee safe egress and ingress to the roof. There are many cases when people get into an accident because they can’t access the top properly. People usually take a ladder up to the side of 1-story buildings since no roof hatch is installed. The ladder steps can cause the person to slip and fall to the ground when it rains.
If you want to reduce the probability of anyone getting into this situation, installing a roof hatch on your establishment is the best resolution. You can even consider installing a roof hatch or a telescopic post on your building’s roof hatch to allow more safety measures for the person accessing your roof. Make sure to install the roof access ladders and ensure it holds steady and doesn’t break when using them.
4. Compromised Security
When you’re thinking of installing a roof hatch, you don’t have to worry about any unauthorized person using it to trespass inside your building. Manufacturers typically construct their roof hatch with solid and durable materials to ensure maximum security. In addition, you can choose from different locks depending on the level of protection that you prefer and the building needs.
Some establishment owners prefer not to install a roof hatch because they think it is easy to break and get inside. But it is a false statement. Security is guaranteed with roof hatches; as long as you choose high-quality, well-made roof hatches, expect them to perform efficiently.
With all the advantages of having a roof hatch installed mentioned above, there is no other reason that will cause you to have second thoughts about this option. Make sure you partner with the best roof hatch manufacturers available in your area that are guaranteed to provide you with the quality roof hatch you need.
