The Ultimate Guide To

Rooftop Pipe Supports

An introduction into the factors to consider

when it comes to choosing a non-penetrating

rooftop pipe support

Scott Stelmaschuk

A Publication of

Table of

Contents

Introduction

Section 1: The History of Pipe

Supports

Section 2: Common Commercial

Rooftop Types

Section 3: Know Your Local Codes

Section 4: Seismic, High Wind and

Variable to Consider

Section 5: The Climate

Section 6: Spacing

Introduction

Non-penetrating rooftop pipe supports

are not a new concept, however there

is a lot that rides on the ability to hold

up for 20+ years. Failure comes with a

price tag which can go deeper than

just the rooftop. As with any other

roofing component, you need to know

what qualities to consider before a

product is chosen to be used on a job.

This pdf will introduce you to the 6

main factors that you need to consider

before choosing a product to hold up

gas lines, electrical conduit, HVAC

equipment, condensers, duct work &

more.

SECTION ONE

The History Of Pipe Supports

1

The History Of Pipe Supports

The Days Of Wood

Before non-penetrating rooftop pipe supports were common in the

construction industry, there was wood. Contractors would run to

(hopefully) the nearest hardware store, Pick up some pressure

treated 4x4’s, transport them back to the job site, cut them to the

required lengths and paint the ends. This was common for

decades. Often having to go back onto the roof to fix the rotten

supports years later. However, this is not the most efficient way to

support equipment anymore. Now there are supports made out of

various materials. Wood has been banned in many territories from

being used as rooftop supports due to its glaring weaknesses.

As wood is being phased out across various Countries, we need

to consider the qualities that have made it obsolete:

• Inability to deal with the climate

• Twisting and contorting under equipment and pipes

• Rotting

• Floating “down stream” with heavy rainfalls

• Generally a short lifespan

• Expensive choice once you factor in labor

Figure 1: A traditional non-penetrating wood rooftop pipe

support. A common sight among older rooftops.

“The use of wood may appear to

have a lower cost, but that is

just not the case when you

actually break it down.

“

SECTION TWO

Common Commercial Rooftops Types

2

Common Commercial

Rooftops

A commercial rooftop is an important investment. Like everything

else in life, there are pros and cons to each roofing material that

can be installed. Contractors and engineers need to know what

qualities they can maximize in the price point that they are working

with. Below are common roofing types that we come across most

often.

• EPDM

• TPO

• PVC

• Asphalt decks

• Metal Roofs

EPDM

Ethylene propylene diene monomers (EPDM) is the most common

contractor recommendation due to its affordability and quality.

These qualities have made EPDM roofing popular worldwide.

EPDM manufactures use recycled rubber from tires, slate and

sawdust to manufacture EPDM. With proper installation, property

owners can have 20-30 years of quality, hailstorm-proof roofing.

EPDM roofs are installed with either adhesives, tape,

mechanically attached or ballasted.

Common Commercial

Rooftops

TPO

Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofs are single-ply membrane flat

roof systems for commercial buildings. TPO is installed with a

heat-welding application as opposed to an adhesive. The typical

lifespan for a TPO roof is 20-30 years. TPO is known for their

prevalent white color which deflects heat. TPO resists mold

growth, dirt accumulation, tears impact and punctures. It is made

to be flexible and can allow for a home’s or building’s movement

or settling. Reinforced TPO membranes can handle a building’s

thermal expansion and contraction more effectively than other

single ply roofing products.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) roofs tend to have a higher cost than

EPDM and TPO. Just like TPO, PVC is heat-welded at install and

provides exceptional insulating properties. It also comes in a

variety of colors. PVC roofs are specifically engineered for

strength, ensuring the membrane’s long service life. The American

Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) requires a roofing

membrane to have a minimum breaking strength of 200 pounds

per inch. PVC roofing membranes far surpass this standard, all

having a minimum breaking strength of 350 pounds per inch.

Common Commercial

Rooftops

Asphalt Decks

Flat roof systems for commercial buildings usually require asphalt

decks for rooftop parks and garden. These decks can last for 50+

years however they are at a higher price point.

Metal Roofs

Similar to asphalt decks, metal roofs can last over 50 plus years

but are also one of the most expensive roofing materials.

Aluminum being one of the most expensive metal roofing

materials is also the lightest. Galvanized steel would be the

counterpart to aluminum, it is heavier but also at a lower price

point. Both will withstand corrosion through a protective zinc

coating.

Figure 2: A brand new EPDM right after install

The rooftop that will house all the equipment from plumbing,

electrical HVAC, telecom etc. should be identified for

choosing the proper pipe support. Some membranes are

“tougher” than others. You do not want a sharp plastic

support sitting on the roof membrane with the possibility of

puncturing it. Do you need a gasket, slip sheet or

supplemental pad?

“Some membranes are “tougher”

than others, you don’t want a

sharp plastic support sitting on

the roof membrane with the

possibility of puncturing it

“

SECTION THREE

Know Your Local Codes

3

Know Your Local Codes

Building codes are in place to protect public health, safety and

general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy

of buildings and structures. Being aware of building codes in other

territories (similar you yours) can be advantageous because you

can spot trends, and some of these trend could potentially be

coming your way.

I can’t come here to tell you that you can do these 5 things but not

these 3 things when it comes to rooftop pipe supports in your

building code. This is why engineers and contractors need to know

the local codes. An example is that many territories have banned

wood, now you are seeing territories ban plastic supports.

LEED Credits

LEED Credits are not in building codes, they are something that

could be taking into account during the design phase of the

building, and the rooftop pipe support market has some that abide

to these criteria and some that do not. Available for virtually all

building, community and home project types, LEED provides a

framework to create a healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving

green buildings. Keep it in mind when choosing a pipe support.

SECTION FOUR

Seismic, High Wind and Other Variables

to Consider

4

Seismic Zones, Wind Uplift and

Other Variables To Consider

Seismic and high wind applications are job and location specific.

Buildings located in regions that commonly encounter high winds,

fierce storms, or seismic activity require more than just a

traditional roof equipment support system to protect the structural

integrity of the roof, preserve equipment, and meet building codes.

The seismic application for rooftop supports now are much more

“forgiving” to roof the membrane. The slashing, slicing and dicing

are gone as there are rooftop supports that take the arthroscopic

approach of smaller incisions, which reduces the potential for

future leaks.

Gasket, Slip Sheet or Supplemental Pad

A “gasket” or slip sheet mechanically attached under

the rooftop support adds value to everyone involved

because it enhances the seismic system, improves for

wind uplift and makes installation easy because you

can adhere (or heat-weld) the material to the roof

membrane (ex. EPDM on EPDM). It also provides an

extra layer of protection between the roofing

membrane and pipe support.

“

“Some membranes are

“tougher” than others, you

don’t want a sharp plastic

support sitting on the roof

membrane with the

possibility of puncturing it

EPDM

membrane

mechanically

attached 3”

wider per side

than the

support

SECTION FIVE

The Climate

5

The Climate

Think about a piece of plastic furniture that is left outside, 24 hours

a day 7 days a week. Now think about that happening for at least

25 years. Everyday the extreme heat and sun will beat down on

the contents of the roof. The frigid cold in winters as snow blows

across the roof hitting everything. Some climates getting both

extremes over the course of the year. My point is that the

materials that the rooftop pipe supports are made of are going to

matter in the long run. A support made of rubber (recycled or

virgin) that is UV stabilized will outlast a plastic support. Being

aware of these conditions can turn a broad selection of pipe

supports into a few select ones.

SECTION SIX

Spacing

6

Spacing

As we touched on in the local codes section, there are many

variable to consider when it comes to spacing. Some of these are

going to be dictated by the code you abide by in your territory.

There is a balance that has to be considered, what you get vs.

what you give up. You can save cost by spacing the supports

further apart. You also will have less weight on the roof. However,

now you have less support for you piping, increasing the risk of

sagging and breaking. To make an informed decision, you are

going to want to consider these factors for your job:

1. Local Codes: The standard maximum for rooftop pipe supports

is 10 feet on a commercial building, however this could change

based on your local building code. Always refer to the code and

never assume it has “enough” support.

2. Pipe Type: What kind of pipe are you supporting? What are the

contents of the pipe? Will the pipe shake, expand and contract?

These questions will help choose the proper support. Consider a

rubber roller mounted on a support for a pipe that expands and

contracts.

3. Seasonal Weather: Some areas get heavy snowfall adding

extra weight to the rooftop for portions of the year. This weight will

need to be worked into the calculations.

Spacing

4. Type of Roof: Assessing what the roof type is will be crucial. If

you have a roof that gets soft in the heat, then you will want to

make sure your calculations consider this so you are not putting

too much weight on one point causing denting, sinking and

ultimately damage.

5. Contents: If the pipe is carrying a hazardous material that can

caused increased damage, you will want to err on the side of

caution and space your supports closer together to prevent any

possible break or leak.

6. Pipe Temperature: Hot pipes need more support as they can

deflect (sag) when they rise in temperature. If your supports are

too far apart, you risk deflection when the pipe gets hot.

LEARN MORE

ConclusionIdentifying the necessary criteria that is required in your location will create a long term solution that

provides the necessary traits for the conditions present. Recycled rubber supports are typically

going to meet these criteria. Check out our recommendation below!