| Roof Deflection Monitoring Technologies |
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Monitoring the loads on buildings has been a concern since the time man constructed the first shelter. Trial and error and the learning therefrom helped us create stronger, better structures. When money was not an issue, simply engineering structures to withstand loads well in excess of anything possible provided peace of mind.
Today, however, building codes hedge the need for safety with economic reality. We plan for possibilities and create acceptable risk factors. In most cases, that is good enough.
But if the loss of use, the loss of public trust, the need for zero risk cause you concern, then a number of technologies are avialable for you to keep a close eye on your roof - so that you can avoid a catastrophic collapse.
Safe Roof Systems is very familiar with the numerous available technologies and we will bring the solution to you that will most cost-effectively give you the peace of mind you need.
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For many years innovative engineers have been coming up with solutions to help building managers keep an eye on roof loads. In addition to manually getting up on the roof and checking the weights to see how they stack up to the design capacity of the roof, four classes of technologies have been developed and are used today.
The first class of technology, "weighted-wire", is the modern day equivalent of the weighted string. Facilities personnel used to hang a string from the structural members to the floor, leaving a gap to represent an acceptable deflection. When the weight at the end of the string touched the floor, action was to be taken. The weighted wire technologies of today string a taught wire with a signifinact weight over a wheel. Deflection of the roof causes the wheel to turn, signalling a change in the deflection of the roof. This method can provide real-time information as to deflection at a given point. The cost and size of such devices make these tools prohibitive, but in some environments they are exactly what is needed.
The second class of tools are collectively referred to as strain gauges. Strain gauges use various techniques to operate and are widely used for their pinpoint accuracy and durability. Strain gauges are used in a broad range of physical and enviromental conditions - ranging from bridges to advanced robotic technologies. Strain gauges are extremely useful and come in many shapes, sizes and functions. The challenge with their use in roof monitoring is the cost-effectiveness associated with monitoring large spans.
A third class of tools fall into the fiber optic line category. Fiber lines are laid across spans, secured in place and constant measurements are taken to observe changes in the light transmission. The technology is very effective in tightly controlled settings, but becomes less practical for large span real-world roof deflection monitoring.
By far the most comprehensive and cost-effective technologies are the laser, or beam, based solutions patented and represented exclusively by Safe Roof Systems. These systems allow building operators to monitor entire structures with a small number of inexpensive devices. In the case of Safe Roof Systems, the patented SRS DMD-1000 uses infrared lasers across large spans with tools to see deflection from each and every joist, leaving nothing to chance and saving thousands in maintenance in the process.
Safe Roof Systems considers all technologies in each and every situation. Each system must be engineered to meet the unique needs of every structure. It is our promise that you will get the most cost-effective and most valuable solution available.
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