Roof Work on an Occupied Building

Dividing the job into phases

On an occupied building, the roof is never fully open. We work section by section, and each section torn off during the day is closed before evening.

The phasing plan is discussed before the contract is signed. The plan is as much a part of managing roof work as the specification. It sets out:

• the order of the sections
• the expected length of each phase
• the occupants affected by each one
• the days when equipment will be disconnected

Noise

Tear-off and fasteners screwed into the deck can be heard on the floor below. You can agree with us on:

• start and end times for noisy work
• quiet periods above a clinic, a daycare or a meeting room
• evening or weekend work above a business that cannot close

The hours allowed for noisy work fall under municipal bylaws. Check with your borough before promising a schedule.

Odours and air intakes

Hot asphalt, torches, some adhesives and some primers give off strong odours. The fresh-air intakes of the ventilation system are often close to the work, and the odour then spreads through the whole building.

Talk to us about it before the job starts. Possible solutions:

1. Temporarily close or protect the air intakes near the work area, a decision to make with the ventilation contractor.
2. Schedule the odour-producing work outside occupied hours.

Access, crane and parking

Materials go up by crane or freight elevator, and waste comes down into a container.

• Storage and the container take up parking spaces for the whole job.
• Crane days close part of the parking lot or sidewalk. Occupying the street may require authorization from the borough.
• Emergency exits and loading docks must stay clear.

Protecting people and premises

Debris can fall from the roof edge. Entrances below a work area must be protected or temporarily closed, and pedestrians redirected with clear signs.

Inside, tear-off can shake dust down under an exposed deck, and an open roof can let water in. Have goods and sensitive equipment under the current section covered or moved.

Communicating with occupants

A written notice handed out before the work starts gives the dates and hours of work, the areas affected, the expected disturbances, parking changes and the name of the contact person. Update it when the weather shifts the schedule. Occupants forgive announced noise far more readily than surprises.

Frequently asked questions