Mechanical equipment includes anything that manages waste and provides energy, water supply, heating, cooling, and other utilities. Condensers, compressors, compactors, and chillers all fall under this category. This equipment, which is located on a rooftop, is frequently immediately in the line of sight of pedestrians and is more susceptible to wind damage.
It is necessary to obtain a building permit for the rooftop screening of mechanical equipment. This permission will typically be needed from the neighborhood to ensure it blends in with the surroundings and complies with building envelope rules. Please get in touch with your neighborhood building inspector or the municipal planning office to find out what is needed for the approval procedure. Both neighborhood appearance requirements and rooftop mechanical equipment screening specifications should be followed in these drawings.
The neighborhood needs to establish rules that take into account the design of the neighborhood, the structures nearby, and public views. Architectural and rooftop screening are governed by very severe local ordinances in many places. The location, height, and coverage of these municipal regulations frequently take a “line-of-sight” approach. These instructions and support are not meant to take the place of accepted community norms.
Concerns for screening
When creating rooftop-mounted HVAC screen walls for mechanical equipment, designers should keep the following in mind.
Construction Envelope Materials, Size, And Color
The screening that is installed over the rooftop equipment needs to mix in with the building’s existing facade in terms of color, design, and construction. If your roof is horizontal, you might consider horizontal louvers or slats, whereas if it is vertical, you might consider vertical louvers or slats.
Object Visibility
Designing a roof-mounted screen requires taking into account how the apparatus will appear from all angles. It may not be necessary to screen rooftop equipment that is higher than the nearby surroundings if it is not visible from all angles. The equipment might need to be protected in this situation because of the wind load. For buildings near elevated structures or roadways, designers could advise installing rooftop equipment screens with roofs or overhangs. Please visit your neighborhood code for further details.
The Items That Will Be Examined
Rooftop mechanical equipment should be screened taking into account both the equipment and the use that will be made of it. Screening all rooftop equipment may not be possible because of limitations on space, height, ventilation, and other factors. It’s important to remember that certain equipment may need to adhere to local appearance standards. A certain height must be reached for ventilation on some stacks. Afterward, these stacks might be framed with materials that complement the building’s exterior.
Considering The Structure
A structural engineer in your area should calculate the wind load based on the characteristics of the location. These should be taken into consideration.
Visibility
Rooftop mechanical equipment screening can be adjusted to provide the level of sight you need or as mandated by local codes. Louvered panels are the most well-liked type of roof mechanical equipment screen. If you gaze directly at it, it can offer a direct visual screening of 100% to 80%.
Openness Grade
The degree of transparency is affected by the level of visibility and the previously described direct visual screening. The degree of openness is the area that is unobstructed by planks, louvers, holes, and other impediments. The topic is narrowed down. The amount of open or closed space affects how much air flows between infill components. A little amount of space is often required for rooftop equipment. Depending on the requirements of your community, you might need to make room for a specific amount of ventilation.
