Have a need for structural rooftop support and don’t want the hassle of roof penetration? You’re in luck, they’re called equipment supports.

What Is An Equipment Support?

Standard Equipment Support

These load-bearing supports are typically used to elevate and/or load support rooftop piping, ductwork, HVAC equipment, RTU’s (Rooftop Units), walkways, and more. Customizable in height & length to match your specific requirements, easy to transport, and can be carried onto any roof without major hassle. Referred to as Equipment Supports, Equipment Rails, Support Rails & Sleeper Curbs. Equipment Supports are constructed of galvanized steel with continuous welded and mitered corner seams. They contain a wood nailer shrouded under a galvanized metal cover, allowing you to nail/secure roofing material directly to it.

Not All Equipment Supports are Created Equal

MicroMetl Equipment Supports offers a linear weight distribution. The advantage of linear support is the distribution of weight. The entire base of the support is evenly distributed onto the rooftop. Some manufacturers offer a metal frame with two metal legs to be set upon the roof. A smaller point of pressure does not distribute the load evenly across a wider surface area and could cause the load to sink into or through the roof. Similar to the weight distribution of a 100-pound woman wearing high heel shoes. A stiletto heel with an area of approximately 1/10 of a square inch could produce a static loading around 1000 pounds per square inch!

Applications

Power Exhaust Modules… After-market Power Exhaust modules are often attached to a RTU using only screws. Over time the weight and operation of the power exhaust may cause separation from the RTU resulting in internal water & air leakage or complete separation, therefore, reducing the efficiency of the HVAC unit and/or Power Exhaust. An Equipment Support placed under a power exhaust module will redistribute the weight by redirecting the stress of torque & load.

An RTU Which Extends Over A Roof Curb…  An Equipment Support often functions as additional support for your RTU after it is placed on the Roof Curb. Does your unit cantilevers over the curb, the manufacturer of the RTU may require one or more Equipment Supports. This is often the case on very large tonnage units ranging from 25 ton to 100 ton and larger.

I’m Replacing An RTU, I Will Have An Existing Support Under The RTU, Can I Reuse It?

The answer is not a simple yes or no. Most existing supports in the field are several inches smaller in height than the roof curb and extend beyond the width of the curb. They are designed to fit under the base rails. Speaking specifically about a MicroMetl Curb Adapter, we offer adjustable equipment supports supplied with 1/2 neoprene base pads designed to lay directly upon the rooftop — no roofing material attachment required! In the case where the existing equipment support can be utilized, an engineered support is strategically placed on the base of the curb adapter.

Don’t Substitute Quality

Don’t Substitute an Equipment Support with anything which simply supports weight! An example is “Dunnage,” Railroad Ties are often placed on a roof to support just about everything imaginable. Unlike galvanized metal support, they are susceptible to rot, ants, termites, and the like, and should not be used.

Standard Or Canted?

Standard Equipment Support

Canted Equipment SupportSupport.

MicroMetl Offer Two Styles of Equipment Supports – Straight/Standard Supports & Canted Supports. Each Offering 200 Lbs. Per Linear Foot of Load Support.