Rooftop Frames and Support Systems for Plant and Equipment
For engineers and contractors responsible for rooftop plant installation, structural integrity and load management are critical concerns. Stourflex rooftop frames and support systems provide a reliable, compliant and non-penetrative solution for the safe mounting of HVAC units, pipework, solar panels, and more. Designed to suit a wide range of commercial and industrial environments, our support systems are engineered to simplify installation without compromising performance or roof condition.
Understanding Rooftop Support Frames
Rooftop frames and supports are structural systems specifically designed to distribute weight evenly across a roof surface. By spreading the load of equipment such as air handling units or chillers, these systems protect the roofing membrane from damage and avoid the need for intrusive fixings. Stourflex support systems can be installed without hot works and are made from corrosion-resistant materials suited for year-round exposure.
When and Where Are Rooftop Frames Used?
Rooftop support frames are widely used across commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. Their primary function is to ensure safe, stable mounting of heavy plant equipment on flat or low-pitched roofs. HVAC support frames, for example, are a frequent requirement for new and refurbished commercial buildings.
Types of Rooftop Support Systems Available
Stourflex offers a diverse range of rooftop support frames, each tailored for specific applications:
Support frames provide versatile solutions for mounting HVAC systems, ductwork, or condenser units on flat roofs. These systems are adjustable and easy to configure on site.
Pipe support systems are available for internal and external use, ideal for supporting mechanical services including gas, chilled water and heating lines.
I Beams are designed for the substantial loads and dynamic conditions associated with large-scale rooftop plant such as AHUs, packaged plant rooms and chillers. These are often combined with vibration isolation mounts to reduce structural noise transfer. For applications with antivibration mounts, these change the dynamics as it is no longer a universally distributed load. Specific frames are available for this.
For installations that fall outside standard configurations, Stourflex also designs and fabricates bespoke support frames. These are particularly useful for sites with irregular roof levels, constrained footprints, or atypical loads.
Explore our full range of rooftop support products for further detail.
Typical Applications
Rooftop support systems are a critical component in:
– Commercial HVAC installations, where multiple units require positioning without damaging the roofing system.
– Data centres and plant rooms, where both internal and rooftop services need long-term, low-maintenance support.
– Industrial pipework and ducting systems requiring vibration resistance and thermal expansion accomodation.
Benefits of Stourflex Rooftop Supports
Every Stourflex support system is non-penetrative by design, meaning there is no need to breach waterproof membranes during installation. This ensures long-term roof integrity and reduced liability.
Installation is fast and straightforward, with no hot works or on-site welding required..
All products are manufactured from weather-resistant materials suitable for outdoor exposure, and systems can be adapted to suit projects of any size or complexity. Where vibration isolation is required, we offer compatible anti-vibration products for integration within the support frame design.
Why Work with Stourflex?
With over 40 years of experience in pipework and plant support systems, Stourflex is a trusted partner for contractors, consultants and M&E professionals throughout the UK. Our rooftop frame systems are backed by full technical support, from initial design consultation through to delivery and installation guidance.
We maintain a wide stockholding to accommodate tight project lead times, and offer a growing library of BIM content to support coordinated design workflows.
To discuss your rooftop plant support requirements, contact the Stourflex team today. Whether you need off-the-shelf systems or a bespoke design, we are here to help you find a better-engineered solution.
View our full product range or get in touch to speak to a technical advisor.