By Sheffield Metals International.
You might not give much thought to handling metal roofing panels but doing it right can make all the difference. Improper handling can lead to kinks, dents or scratches, rendering panels unusable before they even make it to the roof. Imagine the ripple effects: lost time, money and effort.
Jump into this guide from Sheffield Metals International to ensure your metal roofing project goes off without a hitch, preserving both the aesthetics and functionality of your investment.
You might be asking yourself why it’s essential to properly handle standing seam metal roofing panels. There are several reasons, primarily because incorrect panel handling can cause:
In short, improper handling of the panels can result in irreversible damage, which leads to lost time, effort and profits.
The proper method for carrying every single metal roofing panel doesn’t exist, but there are some best practices to always make sure you follow:
The number of people required to move and handle a panel directly relates to the length. Below is a photo illustrating how to carry a panel; you essentially should have:
Under 6 feet: 1 handler
Between 7 and 15 feet: 2 to 3 handlers
Between 16 and 30 feet: 3 to 4 handlers
Between 31 and 45 feet: 4 to 5 handlers
Over 45 feet: 4 or more handlers (while practicing extreme caution not to let the panel sag, bend, kink or drop)
Carrying panels on the side create more rigidity and makes them less likely to bend, especially in the flat area.
We also recommend supporting the panel from the bottom and not carrying it from one of the seams.
As most installers know, rollformed panels can have sharp edges and points, so the best way to protect your hands is to have cut-resistant gloves.
Gloves are critically important when handling zinc and copper panels, as these panels can easily stain from the natural oils on human skin.
Panels should be moved one at a time, or two at a time if short enough.
Depending on the length of the panels, there are some instances where installers can move two at once. If you feel comfortable moving two panels, ensure the coated sides are facing each other and exercise extra caution so the panels do not cause damage to one another.
Once you’ve reached the area you’re moving the panels to, ensure you do not lay directly on the ground. Instead, place the panels on a supporting surface with care.
Do not lay panels directly on the ground. You can never be sure what is on the ground and if anything (such as gravel, grass, concrete, etc.) could negatively affect the panels.
Support the whole panel length using pallets, two by fours, or another method where the panels are not touching the ground.
Always take the PVC film off the panels after rollforming, but before panels are installed.
You can keep the PVC film on while handling panels to provide an extra protection layer. However, do not forget to remove it before the installation.
Additionally, the PVC film should always be taken off before any level of exposure to UV or extreme heat.
Specifically, you should remove PVC film before any ultraviolet (UV) or extreme heat exposure. PVC on panels exposed to UV light, moisture or both can break the PVC down, making it difficult to remove and/or leaving adhesive residue on the painted metal surface.
To get the panels up to the roof deck, you can:
Hand them up individually using the perpendicular panel handling method (with as many people safely supporting the panels as possible).
Use a forklift or crane to lift the panels to the roof plane (ensure the full panel length is still supported and not bending the ends downward).
Lift the rollformer up to the roof height and rollform the panels directly onto the roof deck. This can be difficult to accomplish because it requires several moving parts, but it does remove many of the issues that can occur because of improper panel transporting or handling.
Like handling them, there are proper ways to store panels as well. And the reasons for adequate storage of rollformed panels are similar as well, as improperly storing panels can:
Lower the quality of the panels – There are several ways that improper storage can lower the panel’s quality. One of the significant concerns of incorrectly storing panels is moisture getting on the cut edges of the panels and creating issues with the paint and metal substrate. Another concern is air circulation, as little access to airflow is not good for the metal’s integrity and makes it harder for any moisture to dry.
Create nicks, scratches or gouges that go down to the metal core – Without the right storing practices, panels can rub up against each other, the ground or other rough items, which runs the risk of damaging, nicking or scratching the paint system on the panel. If this occurs and is severe enough (where it goes down to the metal core), it can void your paint/substrate warranty before the roof is ever installed.
Create an unsafe working environment – If panels are being stored all over the place — or in an active working area — this can be a safety concern, especially because rollformed panels have sharp edges. Stacks of stored panels can get in the way of forklifts, production, rollforming and other daily tasks.
Cause preventable damage to the material needed to complete installations – Any time material is damaged during storage, it’s a time and money loss that is ultimately preventable.
Before we get into some of the best storage practices, it’s critical to note that all panel storage depends on the time frame. If the storage time is only a few days, the recommended conditions are still good to follow but might not be a huge concern. However, if you’re planning to store panels for weeks or months at a time, it’s imperative to follow the best practices below.
It’s true: Properly handling and storing metal roofing panels can make or break an installation.
If not done correctly, the material can become damaged or unusable, the integrity of the roof will suffer, crew members could hurt themselves and overall money can be lost.
But these issues can easily be avoided from the start if you know how to handle and store your panels and trim.
Sheffield Metals and our technical department team members are well-versed in the best practices for panel/trim handling and storage, and we regularly answer questions about any environment and location-specific circumstances.
Original article source: Sheffield Metals International
Learn more about Sheffield Metals International in their Coffee Shop DIrecotry or visit www.sheffieldmetals.com.
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