Standing seam roof clamps provide endless options

by David Flaherty | 7 January 2025 12:47 pm

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Standing seam clamps keep units in place, from snow retention and solar panels to signage, HVAC units, and even stabilizing gas piping. However, knowing which clamp to use for a specific accessory and how the clamps carry the load is critical to durable performance.

Snow retention clamps

These are non-ferrous, non-piercing clamps for attachments to standing seam metal roofs and are pre-packaged with the stainless steel bolts and set screws needed for installation, as well as a driver for set screws  (one driver per box). The round-point design of the set screw ensures that it will not pierce the panel, and the stainless bolts are the familiar English standard 5/16-18 bolt—not metric.

When these clamps are used for snow retention, they have two attachment set screws that, when properly installed and torqued, prevent the clamp from migrating down the seam while under a load. Snow retention clamps have been tested on various panel types and manufacturers. This testing information will aid in calculating how many clamps are needed and the pattern in which the clamps must be installed to properly handle the loads required for a specific project.

When planning for rooftop attachment of accessories such as solar panels, the clamps used are a mini-style, which uses only one setcrew to attach the clamp to the standing seam. Mini-style clamps should not be used for snow retention management systems, as they are intended for mounting roof accessories.

However, it is worth noting that most mini-style clamps and snow retention clamps have multiple accessory mounting holes for various attachment rooftop options.

Standing seam roof clamps for fall protection

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When contractors are working on a standing seam roof, a roof clamp is available for safety tie-off. The standing seam roof clamp is installed over a clip on a completely seamed attached roof section. The unique flip design of the DFSSRC-03 clamp allows for fit on both the MR24 and the VSR-style seams just by removing the bolts, turning one side of the clamp around the ring, and replacing the bolts. The advantage of this clamp is that there is no damage to the roof panels or finished seams and no roof penetrations.

This durable, all-steel construction standing seam roof clamp is available with zinc electroplate finish and has been tested to meet and exceed the following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards: 1910.140 – Personal Fall Protection Systems and 1926.502 – Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices.

Jerod Webber is the national sales manager for Dynamic Fastener, located in Kansas City, Mo. To learn more, visit dynamicfastener.com

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/standing-seam-roof-clamps-provide-endless-options/

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