Transport
Rooflights may be supplied loose, shrink wrapped, on pallets
or crated to comply with customers requirements.
Sheet lengths up to 8m can generally be supplied but lengths
in excess of 12m will require special transportation and special
consideration on manpower and/or crane off loading facilities.
It is normal practice for sheet unloading to be the responsibility
of the contractor/client, and specific off loading requirements
must be notified to the manufacturer/supplier prior to despatch.
Storage on Site
Where possible store the rooflights indoors in cool dry conditions,
avoiding direct sunlight.
If outdoor storage is unavoidable, store in secure locations
where the rooflights are unlikely to be stolen, damaged by
site vehicles or foot traffic.
Stack in plane rooflights on clean level battens at least
100mm wide. Curved barrel vault lights will require additional
supports to prevent them spreading. Locate supports at 1.5m
for GRP and 1.0m for thermoplastics, and limit stack heights
for GRP to 1.5m and for thermoplastics to 1.0m.
If the sun’s radiation, even on dull days, is allowed
to pass unchecked through the layers of unprotected rooflight
sheets, the pack of sheets could become a solar battery, where
the infrared radiation is entrapped creating a continuous
build up of heat. Any moisture entrapped between the sheets
will then boil and the resulting vapour, now at high pressure,
will discolour the sheets. Additionally, for the thermoplastic
rooflights permanent sheet deformation could take place.
To prevent this problem, always protect the sheet stack with
reflective opaque waterproof covers draped over timbers to
avoid direct contact with the rooflights and allow air circulation
round the stack. Secure the covers to prevent wind damage
and water penetration.
Particularly in wet conditions, frequently check to ensure
that water has not penetrated the stack.
Note:
These comments are particularly relevant when sheet stacks
are loaded out on to a pitched roof. Without full cover protection,
the upslope sheet ends are very vulnerable to driving rain
entering the pack of sheets, with capillary and gravity taking
the water to the centre of the stack.
Handling
Caution must be exercised when handling and installing rooflights
in windy weather. Rooflights are frequently large, relatively
lightweight, and when caught in gusting wind will endanger
the personnel handling them and any person nearby.
When handling single skin rooflights they should be supported
at 3 metre centres. Long length single sheets may be carried
by rolling the sheets across their width to form a cylinder
and roped at 1.5 metre intervals. Ensure that the down turn
on the exposed sheet edge faces downwards to prevent ropes
from snagging on the sheet edges.
When carrying multi skin factory assembled or barrel vault
rooflights, care must be taken not to twist them. They should
be carried at all time by two men, as illustrated, or more
in the case of long units.
Always wear protective leather gloves to avoid cuts from sharp
edges of sheets. |
Cutting and Drilling
Cut rooflights with a power saw having a 40/60 grit diamond
blade operating at minimum speed. Alternatively, they can
be cut with a hacksaw having 6 to 8 teeth per centimetre held
at a shallow oblique angle.
Holes must never be punched through rooflights as this can
cause cracking around the holes. This reduces the pull through
performance of the fasteners (i.e. the force required to pull
the rooflight over the fastener when subject to suction loadings).
Use standard metal drills for drilling GRP. Drill thermoplastics
with masonry type drills, or metal drill bits having a point
angle of 1300. To accommodate thermal movement in thermoplastic
rooflights, the diameter of the holes where the primary fasteners
are to be fixed, must be at least 10mm diameter.
COSHH Regulations
For GRP, polycarbonate and PVC when cutting or machining with
power tools, a non-toxic biological inert dust is produced.
These dust levels should be kept as low as reasonably practical,
and must not exceed the Occupational Exposure Limit
of 10mg/m3 – 8 hour TWA value.
When working outdoors, it is most unlikely that these levels
could be reached. When working indoors or in confined areas,
adequate ventilation should be provided. When extensive operations
are necessary, suitable dust extraction equipment should be
used.
When cutting sheets, operators should always wear suitable
dust masks and goggles to avoid any irritation in the nose,
throat, lungs and eyes. In isolated cases, dust may cause
slight transient irritation. Should these effects be prolonged
or any sign of rash occur, medical advice must be obtained.
All exposed skin must be thoroughly and frequently washed
with soap and water. Any eye contamination must be washed
with copious amounts of clean water.
Sheet edges can be sharp, always wear gloves when handling
sheets.
Do not smoke in or near stores or working areas.
Whilst the use of long length rooflights may reduce the number
of end laps and reduce material costs, site conditions must
be considered. A long length rooflight (exceeding 7 metres)
is relatively light in weight, and when handled on high exposed
buildings, can be awkward to handle even in mild blustery
conditions.
In the event of a fire involving rooflight material, the safe
extinguishers to use are:
- Carbon Dioxide
- Water
- Foam
- Dry Powder
Noxious fumes may be produced which can contain carbon monoxide,
carbon dioxide and soot particles. Breathing equipment is
advisable in enclosed areas.
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