Wood Blocks
The origin of the KnuckleHead Name
The first KnuckleHead At the turn of the century, it became evident that woodblocks, bricks and other improvised supports for rooftop equipment were no longer sustainable. The first engineered support system was designed by Dr. Tibor Keller, a master machinist. This component was capable of lifting and holding light pipes such as conduit, gas pipes…
Read MoreTall VRFs/Mini-Splits: Blowing in the Wind? Here’s an Answer.
Mini splits are becoming increasingly popular on commercial buildings as well as residential housing. Usually, they can be mounted on any number of support systems, but the taller, narrower profile of the larger units creates a level of vulnerability. In windy conditions, it can tip over, even if mounted. The greater surface area of the…
Read MoreRough-Ride for Roof Mounted Equipment
Field reports from HVAC and roofing contractors indicate an increasing issue relating to the stability of rooftop equipment installations. Earthquakes at 6.4 magnitude in January ran through the Caribbean wreaking havoc with the electrical grid and power lines, not to mention rooftop-mounted equipment. Elsewhere, high winds and violent storms have caused the same. As the…
Read MoreAttachment: The KnuckleHead Base and the Rooftop “Junkyard.”
In a perfect world, low-slope roofs would have nothing on them. This was the opinion of the NRCA in 1990. Since then, the proliferation of rooftop equipment and utility lines such as gas pipes and conduit is seen everywhere on low slope roofs. Different trades install layer upon layer of equipment, sometimes with little thought…
Read MoreKnuckleHeads and Hurricanes
Recently Green Link principals, Phil Georgeau, Founder, and Lisa Mulder, Technical Director traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico to survey the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria, and to study how the use of the KnuckleHead support system could provide more stable rooftop installations in the face of future hurricanes. Hurricane Maria, which struck in September,…
Read MoreElevating and Leveling Rooftop-Mounted Equipment
Elevating and leveling roof-installed pipelines and HVAC equipment are more important than may appear at first glance. There are two issues: First, pipes, equipment or electrical conduit need to be elevated to a point where debris, sticks and leaves, snow and ice cannot be trapped underneath causing a dam that will lead to ponding…
Read MoreInstalling KnuckleHeads: A Value Proposition
Is protecting a $55,000 roof job worth a few hundred dollars? Recently, a building owner in Michigan contracted for a re-roof of his building. A ten-man crew installed a PVC membrane to the roof. Pipes and HVAC equipment, originally positioned on wood sleepers, were moved to allow for the installation. Once the job was…
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