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TOPIC: Fire Concerns

Firefighting on metal roofs

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I'm a volunteer firefighter, And my dept had a chimney fire this morning, Which happened to be at one of the many houses we're seeing with metal roofs, these days. It was 14 degrees out this morning with a heavy frost, Which lead to a tricky tatic we had to come up with to put this fire out. Also lead us to a few questions, Which I was looking for answers when i found this site, and thought maybe someone could help> 1st any idea about how to walk on a frost covered metal roof? We tryed throwing a rope over house and have firefighter try to walk up holding rope, without luck>2nd Thought about using a roof ladder with the hooks to put over to roof ridge, But couldn't decide If the hooks, with weight of firefighter would cause unneeded damage to roof of house?
Guest User

11/26/2005
There are so many differant types of metal roofing and attachment that it would be difficult to say whether the ladder hooks would damage it but that is the normal method to access the roof. Some attache a rope to the ladder but that tends to more damage to the ridge metal. If it is a vertical rib metal roof installed directly over solid decking you should not damage it. If it is installed on strapping, there should be a wood strapping near the lower edge of the ridge cap. I have seen contractors use a 1x4 with two round plastic handle holders such that it clips on over the round hooks and is easily removeable and it spreads the weight out. Hope this helps.
Allan Reid
Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Inc.

11/28/2005
We've done some thinking on the ladder, and Thought up using some big rubber super balls, and drill a hole in them, to use for stoppers, on the end of the hooks, to protect metal from being damaged, on chimney fires, Of cource with a bigger fire in house, a couple little holes in roof wouldn't matter that much..Have you seen anything like that used, OR do you think something like that would work. We do have a metal roof on our station, And talking about trying them there first before going ahead and using them out in the field when it matters.
Guest User

11/28/2005
If the majority of the metal roofing in your area is vertical rib, then you are on the right track. I would look to the suction cup type disks that will spread the load a little. We have found that there is not as much weight with the resistance. I would try an industrial supply house and see what they may have available.
Allan Reid
Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Inc.

11/29/2005