Tag Archives: steel

Fixed Roof Ladders: Assuring Safe Access to Commercial and Industrial Roofs

Roof access is a critical aspect of many commercial and industrial buildings, facilitating routine maintenance, inspections, and repair works. To ensure the safety of workers and ease of access, fixed roof ladders have become a popular choice. These specially designed ladders offer a stable and permanent solution for reaching rooftops. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of fixed roof ladders, their main benefits, and one significant drawback. Additionally, we will delve into the considerations for choosing the right ladder material, comparing aluminum and steel options.

Pros and Cons of Fixed Roof Ladders

Before delving into the advantages and disadvantages of fixed roof ladders, it is important to understand what they are. Fixed roof ladders are permanently installed vertical ladders, securely attached to the roof’s edge or parapet, providing a safe and sturdy means of access.

Pros:

Safety: Fixed roof ladders offer unparalleled safety as they are securely fastened to the building’s structure, eliminating any wobbling or instability that might be present in portable ladders.

Durability: Being fixed in place, these ladders are designed to withstand the elements and harsh weather conditions, ensuring they have a longer service life compared to portable ladders.

Convenience: Since they are permanently affixed to the roof, there’s no need for additional setup or takedown, making them readily available for use whenever required.

Compliance: Fixed roof ladders can be designed to meet relevant safety standards and building codes, ensuring regulatory compliance.

Cons:

Permanent Installation: Once fixed, these ladders cannot be easily moved or repositioned. Thus, if roof access requirements change, it might necessitate additional installations.

Aesthetics: Some argue that fixed roof ladders can affect the building’s aesthetics, especially if not integrated seamlessly into the architecture.

Main Benefits of Fixed Roof Ladders: Safety and Roof Accessibility

Safety: Safety is paramount when it comes to accessing rooftops, and fixed roof ladders offer unparalleled stability. Workers can ascend and descend with confidence, minimizing the risk of accidents and falls. Additionally, many fixed roof ladders come equipped with safety features such as anti-slip rungs and guardrails, further enhancing worker safety.

Roof Accessibility: Fixed roof ladders provide consistent and reliable access to the rooftop, streamlining maintenance tasks, equipment installations, and emergency procedures. Having a designated access point ensures that workers know exactly where to go and minimizes the chances of unauthorized access (though it’s still crucial to have a plan in place to prevent unauthorized entry).

Main Drawback of Fixed Roof Ladders: Unauthorized Access

One significant drawback of fixed roof ladders is the potential for unauthorized access. While these ladders are designed to provide access for authorized personnel, they can also attract the attention of trespassers or vandals. To mitigate this risk, property owners should implement additional security measures such as access control systems, fencing, or surveillance cameras. Regular monitoring and maintenance of the ladder’s integrity are also essential to detect any signs of tampering or damage promptly.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Fixed Ladders: Aluminum or Steel

When selecting the material for fixed roof ladders, two common options are aluminum and steel. Each material offers distinct advantages and caters to different requirements.

Aluminum Ladders:

– Lightweight: Aluminum ladders are considerably lighter than steel, making them easier to install and handle.

– Corrosion-resistant: Aluminum naturally forms a protective oxide layer, offering excellent resistance to corrosion.

– Low maintenance: Due to its corrosion resistance, aluminum requires minimal upkeep.

Steel Ladders:

– Strength: Steel ladders are incredibly robust and can handle heavier loads compared to aluminum ladders.

– Durability: Steel ladders are less susceptible to wear and tear, ensuring longevity even under heavy usage.

– Cost-effective: Steel ladders are often more affordable than their aluminum counterparts.

The choice between aluminum and steel will depend on factors such as the specific application, budget, and environmental conditions. Consulting with professionals and understanding the unique requirements of your building will help make an informed decision.

In conclusion, fixed roof access ladders play a crucial role in ensuring safe and convenient access to commercial and industrial rooftops. Their numerous benefits, such as enhanced safety and accessibility, outweigh the drawbacks, such as potential unauthorized access. Additionally, by choosing the appropriate ladder material, property owners can further optimize the performance and longevity of their fixed roof ladders, providing a reliable means of reaching rooftops for years to come.

What is Architectural Metal Work?

Architectural metalwork is a very skilled form of metal fabrication, essentially used for carving
out architectural edifices and even monuments. It refers to the production of structures
crafted out of metals like iron, steel, aluminum, copper, nickel, and magnesium. And the most
interesting aspect is that the gradation of metals can vary with respect to the work in
question.

It involves very simple technology, though it needs skilled hands for the perfect result. The
desired metal is melted and poured into moulds through tubes. The moulds have negatives
of the images imprinted on them. Once it takes the shape, it is taken out for fittings. In this
way, fabricated gates, fences, doorknobs, even doors, chairs, and statues are made out of
metal.

The real essence and the royal feel of metal architecture are accomplished by metal casting.
So, we must remember that it is the casting that has to be done by a seasoned artisan (a metal
fabricator).

How does Architectural Metal Work bring a transformation?

Before we begin discussion over transforming the look and feel of a property through metal
architectural work, we must also realize that the technique is used for creating large metal
figures or metal statues too. Metals are extensively being used in the construction of
structures as they are strong, flexible, resistant to heat, and can take desired shapes with
quite an elan.

Metals can be customized: Metals are very flexible and can fit into any design,
whether modern, contemporary, or archaic. Fabrication of metals can be achieved by
welding, shearing, casting, and soldering. It can be used for fabricating multiple
designs to suit the requirements of a project.
Aesthetically rich: Can you recall seeing an archaic European metal gate in one of
those period movies?The aesthetically rich feel of the gate can be easily replicated by
a metal fabricator and bring the same elegance to your estate, whether commercial
or residential in NY. It provides both functionality and aesthetic richness to structures
such as metal gates, metal fabricated fences or doors
Customized for different planes: Metals can be fabricated both for horizontal and
vertical planes. It can be customized as per your requirements, as for spiral staircases,
intricate designs on the gate, balustrades with complex art work or any other
architectural patterns. Its versatility is unfathomable.
For royalty: Architectural metalwork gives a royal look and feel to any estate. The
added glamour turns a simple piece of work into something royal and changes the
entire story line of the structure. And the best part is that the changes can be
experienced both in exterior and interior design.

Omni Steel Supply can give meaning to your imagination. We are metal fabricators in New
York and have been serving the industry for many years now. If you have any queries related
to architectural metalwork or what is commonly referred to as ornamental metalwork, feel
free to get in touch with us for a free consultation. You only need to fill in the form below!

Steel Plates and their Usage – Omni Steel Supply

Steel plates can be manufactured by large steel factories or smaller, and they have a lot of interesting usages. Steel plates are one of the many types of steel that can be produced to other types including bars, sheets, slabs, rolls, and many other elements. They are often used for structures and constructions, household goods, marine and offshore equipment. Here are some of those usages explained.

Structures & Construction

Steel Plates can be used on many construction needs, because they can be folded and cut to any size. Steel can be combined with other metals to form all types of shapes. In Omni Steel Supply you can order steel plate, and make a custom cut depends on your needs.

Household Goods

Many people use steel to accomplish their ideas. Plates can be used for designing awesome things for your home, such as stair pans , dinner tables and fences . Also can be used for making cool name plate designs for you to put it in front of your door, or gate. In our company, you can order the steel plate, and we can cut on all shapes and deliver it to you.

steel plates Jamaica, Queens, NY — steel plates online

Military Needs

Steel industries with military contracts, deliver steel plates to the Department of Defense and its other departments such as the Army, Air Force and Navy. Military steel plates are used for tanks, jeeps, trucks and ground vehicles, helicopters, jets and other aircraft. The Navy uses this steel for shipbuilding and naval repair.

Here are some of the usages for Steel Plate. What is your favorite?
Please if you liked this blog share it, and if you have any questions about steel feel free to comment. If you are interested for buying steel, we are available, so you can contact us anytime.

Why Steel is Better and Safer Option?

You always want to pick the best solution for your buildings and houses, and be protected from any kind of catastrophes right? We are here to give you the best reasons why you need to use steel for your buildings or houses.

Fire Resistant

Steel is fire resistant, which means a fire would spread at a slower rate through a steel building than a wood buildings. That time difference can be the key factor of life and death. Steel gives you time to escape all that catastrophe, and save your life. Steel has been tested on fire reactions for decades, and those tests ensure steel structures are designed and constructed to the strictest standards.

Wind Resistant

Steel performs very well under high winds due to its ductility, which is the ability to bend more without breaking. Correctly specified & engineered steel buildings can withstand hurricane force winds. Steel is able to absorb more energy than its less sturdy counterparts, meaning your building is safe under the most dangerous conditions.

Costs Less

Building with steel means choosing better and cheaper option. While the price of wood frequently grows, steel building prices have remained relatively low for years. The pre-engineered parts means less construction time, and because of their durability, insurance costs are much lower when compared to wood buildings.

Fast Construction Times

Although steel buildings are changing in design, what’s not changing is their fast and easy construction. This is because the parts are assembled in a factory before being shipped. With the right experience and a little help, assembling a steel building can be a hassle-free project.

Eco-Friendly

These days, everyone is looking to be a little greener. Steel is a eco-friendly choice, not only because prefabricated steel frame buildings are thermal and energy efficient, but also because steel is America’s number one most recycled product. Rest assured, when you build with steel, you’re building green, and also saved for cutting trees.

Best Solution for you?

Visit our shop and contact our support for best advice for your steel supply, and everything you need.

Interesting facts about Steel! – Omni Steel Supply

Here are some interesting facts you need to know about the steel.

With steel you can do a lot of things, and there are so many things you didn’t know about steel.

– Almost 69 percent of steel is recycled in North America each year, which is more than paper, aluminum, plastic, and glass combined.

– More than 80 million tons of steel are recycled in North America every year.

– Since World War II, the North American steel industry has reduced its energy use by 60 percent, which has contributed to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide generation.

– Steel is used in almost every industry, including energy, construction and housing (the largest consumer of steel), automotive and transportation, infrastructure, packing, and machinery.

– The United States is the third leading producer of steel behind Japan and China.

– Steel roofs last more than 50 years while traditional roofs last about 17 years.

– Steel was first used for skyscrapers in 1833.Skyscrapers are made possible by steel. The housing and construction sector is the largest consumer of steel today, using around 50% of steel produced.

– The first steel made automobile was produced in 1918.

– Average world steel use per capita has steadily increased from 150kg in 2001 to 208 kg in 2015, making the world more prosperous.

– Steel offers the most economic and the highest strength to weight ratio of any building material.

– By 2050, steel use is projected to increase to be 1.5 times higher than present levels in order to meet the needs of our growing population.

– Steel is safer to use because its strength is consistent and can be designed to withstand high-impact crashes.

– The steel industry is the second biggest industry in the world after oil and gas with an estimated global turnover of 900 billion USD.

– Steel buildings are designed to be easy to assemble and disassemble, ensuring big environmental savings.

Did you know all those facts? Write us if you are interested in Steel Supply.