Rooftop Support Systems was recently contacted by a major US car manufacturer in regards to some obstacles they were encountering on the roof of one of their manufacturing facilities. A significant portion of the roof was covered with pipe and electrical conduit, making it difficult to move new equipment in to place. These obstructions were also a safety hazard for workers performing routine maintenance on rooftop equipment. RTS was able to recommend the perfect solution to their problem. We provided the customer with a total of 10 crossover ramps, allowing for safe access of both workers and machinery.
Pipe and Conduit on Rooftop Poses Risk to Roof Safety
Rooftop pipe and conduit are common on many buildings because they house and protect essential systems such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and communications infrastructure. These systems require rooftop access to function properly, including venting, drainage, and the distribution of power or data throughout the building.
However, while necessary, these rooftop components can create significant obstacles to achieving roof safety. Pipe and conduit on rooftops often run directly across walkways or maintenance access routes, posing tripping risks or making it difficult for maintenance personnel to navigate the rooftop safely. This is a major concern, especially in poor weather or low-visibility conditions. To address these challenges, pipe crossovers are increasingly used as an effective solution. These structures allow safe passage over rooftop obstacles, ensuring compliance with safety regulations while protecting both the equipment and personnel.
What Does a Crossover Pipe Do?
A crossover pipe structure, often referred to as a pipe crossover, is a specially designed platform that allows individuals to safely step or walk over rooftop obstacles such as pipe, conduit, or HVAC lines without coming into contact with them. These structures are essential for maintaining clear and secure access routes on rooftops, especially for maintenance personnel. There are several types of pipe crossovers, each suited to different elevations and spatial constraints.
- A crossover walkway is typically a flat platform used when the obstacle is low and minimal elevation change is needed.
- A crossover stair includes steps and is ideal for navigating over taller or more clustered pipes, providing elevated clearance and secure footing.
- A crossover ramp offers a sloped surface, making it ideal for wheeled equipment or individuals who require easier access without climbing steps, ensuring ADA compliance and ease of movement in varied conditions.
Rooftop Walkway Ramp for Safe Passage of Workers and Equipment
Roof ramps as previously mentioned are sloped access structures designed to provide safe and convenient passage over rooftop obstacles. They are commonly constructed from durable, weather-resistant materials such as galvanized steel or aluminum to withstand harsh rooftop conditions, including UV exposure, rain, snow, and temperature fluctuations.
Crossover ramps are also designed with non-slip surfaces to enhance safety, particularly in wet or icy conditions. Their modular construction allows for easy customization to fit various pipe heights and rooftop configurations, making them a versatile solution for improving rooftop access while reducing the risk of trips, falls, and equipment damage.
Walkway ramps were specifically chosen for the manufacturing facility project mentioned earlier for several reasons. The first reason that made ramps a good fit for the project is that all of the pipe and conduit obstacles that required crossing over were low to the ground. The second reason, and one of the major benefits to using ramps, is that ramps provide the ability to safely wheel equipment over obstructions, and improved safety for maintenance workers traversing the roof.
Secondary benefits included savings on time and money, as workers are able to complete rooftop tasks more efficiently, and without damage to equipment or the roof itself. They also saved time on assembly. All materials can be easily transported by hand, via service elevator, and do not require cranes or lifts to get components situated on top of the building. Roof ramps are also incredibly easy to assemble and can be fully put together by a single person, with a single wrench.
How to Safely Walk on a Roof
Your roof safety plan should include a comprehensive rooftop crossover walkway solution that incorporates a combination of walkways, stairs, and ramps to create a safe and efficient path across the rooftop, tailored to the unique layout and elevation changes of each building. These systems are strategically designed to allow workers to safely navigate over and around rooftop obstacles such as pipe, conduit, and HVAC lines without risking trips, slips, or damage to critical infrastructure. Walkways provide stable, designated paths, stairs allow safe elevation changes, and ramps ensure accessibility for wheeled equipment and improve maneuverability for maintenance personnel.
By integrating these structures, buildings not only comply with safety regulations but also significantly reduce the risk of workplace injuries and equipment damage. Rooftop ramp systems in particular enhance safety by offering non-slip surfaces while also enabling smooth transport of tools and equipment. Whether installing new systems or servicing aging infrastructure, these modular safety solutions ensure workers can reach all necessary areas without obstruction, improving both safety and efficiency in rooftop maintenance operations.
Your Crossover Walkway Project Deserves a Roof Safety Expert!
After our crossover ramps were installed on the roof of this major car manufacturer’s plant, their response was overwhelmingly positive. Their rooftop maintenance team expressed a high level of satisfaction with the improved safety, increased accessibility, and overall functionality the ramp systems provided. Maintenance personnel could now move across the roof with confidence, avoiding obstacles that previously posed significant hazards and delays. The ramps not only enhanced daily operations but also ensured compliance with safety standards, giving the building owner added peace of mind.
At RTS, we take pride in delivering tailored rooftop access solutions, and this project is a strong example of our commitment to quality, durability, and customer satisfaction. We are fully equipped to assist future customers with similar needs by assessing rooftop layouts, identifying safety challenges, and designing custom crossover systems—whether that includes ramps, stairs, walkways, or a combination—to ensure optimal access and long-term reliability.
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