Guide in inspection of pre-engineered metal building roof

[StrP88]

The Pre-engineered was constructed building 1982 and is 182 feet by 70 feet.
Recently had some hole in different location on roof and at some location ceiling insulation has just hung
It is the possibly some roof purlins are rusted.
Shall I inspect 182 feet long building for purlins damage???
ceiling is 32 feet up.

How do I get up there and check 182 feet may be 6 or 8 purlins

What is the industry practice

Thanks

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Camera with a zoom lens to identify areas of interest and then a manlift to access those spots has been my method in the past. If you're able to (purlins are exposed), using a drone to take HD video of each purlin would be fantastic (in the US this requires a commercial drone license).

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/

 

[StrP88]

TehMightyEngineer (Structural) thank you for direction however, how do I know the rest of the purlins are good or not falling
How do I measure the length of damaged with camera on the ground?

Thank you

 

[WARose]

Everytime I've had to look at a PEMB.....it just comes down to a lift to get me up there to pull tape. (And I've had to evaluate a bunch of them where there are no drawings available.)

 

[msquared48]

If the damage is due to a localized roof leak, only check the immediate area.

If the rusting is due to high humidity in the whole building, that is another matter - the whole building should be checked after a contractor pulls down the insulation.

I would be far more concerned with the mainframes than the purlins for any rusting.

Hopefully none seen on the mainframes.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)