Patent Application
20250101753
The present invention relates to a walkway module for providing a walkway on a roof of a facility, an associated system and method of installation.
The construction industry is known to have a chronically low level of productivity that has changed very little in the past seventy years. It is thought that the low level of productivity is a consequence of the generally accepted need for bespoke buildings to be developed for particular applications combined with ‘tried-and-tested’ construction methods.
Bespoke buildings can take several years to design, construct and validate which is slow and by implication costly. Furthermore, building designs are also often subject to changes as a project progresses and, in some circumstances, buildings must be further modified after completion to comply with a change in requirements, expansion or cost constraints.
The problem is particularly acute for research and medical facilities which often need to be constructed rapidly and which must be flexible to accommodate changes to their end use. For example, laboratory facilities such as vaccine development facilities, advanced therapy medicinal product facilities and cell and gene therapy facilities are often planned and initiated very quickly, with a need for them to be constructed and commissioned in several months rather than several years and to be adaptable during and after construction.
In addition, once a building has been constructed, it is typically time consuming and costly to install service networks of conveying components, such as ventilation systems, piping networks and electrical networks, in the building.
It can be desirable to locate plant equipment, such as HVAC systems, electrical generators and the like, on the roof of a facility rather than inside a facility. This can save space, provide easier access to plant equipment for installation, maintenance and inspection purposes, and make it easier to reconfigure the facility by adding, removing or replacing plant equipment as needed.
However, locating plant equipment on the roof of a facility can have several disadvantages. It can increase project cost, complexity and duration by requiring a bespoke design and installation to connect plant equipment with services on the roof and to the service network inside the facility. It can also make the facility less easily reconfigurable.
There is a need to provide a modular building system that addresses some or all of the above-described disadvantages.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a walkway module for providing a walkway on a roof of a facility. The walkway module comprises: a raised walkway; one or more handrails extending along at least a portion of the walkway; and a services bay located below the walkway and arranged to support services comprising one or more conveying components, the conveying components arranged to convey at least one of a fluid, power and an electrical signal. The walkway module is connectable to a further walkway module to provide a walkway network on a roof of a facility.
Optionally, the walkway module is a straight walkway section and comprises a first handrail extending along a first side of the walkway and a second handrail extending along a second side of the walkway opposite the first side.
Optionally, the walkway module is a corner walkway section and comprises a first handrail extending along a first side of the walkway and a second handrail extending along a second side of the walkway adjacent to the first side.
Optionally, the walkway module is a T-piece section and comprises a single handrail extending along a first side of the walkway.
Optionally, the services bay comprises a frame and wherein the walkway is supported by or integral with the frame.
Optionally, the services bay comprises one or more sub-bays, each sub-bay arranged to support one or more conveying components.
Optionally, the services bay comprises a first sub-bay and a second sub-bay located above the first sub-bay.
Optionally, the walkway module comprises a plurality of support legs.
Optionally, the support legs are arranged to be secured to a roof of the facility.
Optionally, the support legs are arranged to be secured to a support pedestal that is secured to a roof of the facility.
Optionally, the walkway module further comprises one or more conveying components located within and supported by the services bay.
Optionally, the walkway module further comprises one or more walkway lights positioned to illuminate the walkway.
Optionally, the plurality of conveying components comprise at least one of electrical cable, electrical busbar, and fluid piping.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is a provided a walkway system comprising a walkway module and a plurality of support pedestals, the walkway module for providing a walkway on a roof of a facility which comprises a structural load bearing surface and at least one layer located on top of the structural load bearing surface, and the support pedestals for attaching the walkway module to the roof of the facility, wherein the walkway module comprises a raised walkway; one or more handrails extending along at least a portion of the walkway; and a services bay located below the walkway for supporting services comprising one or more conveying components, the conveying components arranged to convey at least one of a fluid, power and an electrical signal, and a plurality of support legs, wherein the plurality of support pedestals each comprises a lower plate connected to an upper plate by an elongate rod, wherein the lower plate is suitable for securing, in use, the support pedestal to the structural load bearing surface of the roof of the facility, wherein, in use, the elongate rod passes through the at least one layer that is located on top of the structural load bearing surface and the upper plate is secured to the walkway module, wherein, in use, the walkway module is connectable to a further walkway module to provide a walkway network on a roof of a facility.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a walkway system for providing a walkway network on a roof of a facility. The system comprises: a first walkway module according to the first aspect; at least one further walkway module according to the first aspect, wherein the first walkway module is secured to the at least one further walkway module to provide a walkway network on a roof of a facility; and one or more conveying components supported by and located within the services bays of the first and at least one further walkway modules.
Optionally, at least one of the walkway modules is connected to a plant room.
Optionally, the walkway system further comprises one or more support pedestals, wherein each support pedestal comprises a first end engaged with the roof of the facility and a second end engaged with a support leg of the walkway module.
Optionally, the one or more support pedestals each comprises a lower plate connected to an upper plate by an elongate rod, wherein the lower plate is suitable for securing, in use, the support pedestal to a structural load bearing surface of the roof of the facility, wherein, in use, the elongate rod passes through at least one layer of the roof of the facility that is located on top of the structural load bearing surface and the upper plate is secured to the walkway module.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing a walkway network on a roof of a facility. The method comprises: supplying a first walkway module and at least one further walkway module according to the first aspect; and securing the first walkway module to the at least one further walkway modules to provide a walkway network on the roof of the facility.
Advantageously, the walkway modules can be quickly and easily installed on a roof of a facility. A suitable layout of walkway modules can be specified during the design of the facility.
Advantageously, when connected, in addition to providing a walkway network, the walkway modules can distribute services across a roof of a facility. For example, a water or electrical supply can be distributed across the roof by walkway modules.
Advantageously, the walkway modules provide a quick and convenient way of routing conveying components of a service network, such as electrical cable or fluid ducting, across a roof of a facility. The walkway modules also provide a walkway on the roof of the facility. This can improve safety by restricting the movement of people on the roof to designated walkways, which are enclosed by handrails.
Advantageously, the walkway modules provide easy access to conveying components located in the services bays below the walkways.
Advantageously, walkways and service bays are provided along the same paths across a roof. This can simplify installation of a walkway and service network since walkways are typically needed along paths where services are routed. For example, it is often necessary to provide walkways connecting plant rooms on a roof of a facility. In many cases, the plant rooms will also be connected by conveying components, for example to share services such as a water or electrical supply.
Advantageously, the walkway modules are modular, easy and quick to install and reconfigure.
Advantageously, the walkway modules can be manufactured partly or fully off-site and can be easily and quickly installed on-site.
Various further features and aspects of the invention are defined in the claims.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention belongs.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which:
The walkway module 100 is arranged to provide a walkway on a roof of a facility.
The walkway module 100 includes a raised walkway comprising a first walkway section 101a, a second walkway section 101b, a third walkway section 101c, and a fourth walkway section 101d. The walkway sections are provided by substantially flat plates. It will be understood that the walkway can comprise a single walkway section comprising a single plate.
The walkway module 100 includes a first handrail extending along a first side of the walkway. The first handrail comprises a first handrail frame 102 supporting a first handrail top rail 103.
The walkway module 100 includes a second handrail extending along a second side of the walkway that is opposite the first side. The second handrail comprises a second handrail frame 104 supporting a second handrail top rail 105.
The walkway module 100 comprises a services bay 106 located below the walkway. The services bay 106 comprises a frame. The walkway is supported by or integral with the frame. The services bay 106 comprises a first sub-bay 107 and a second sub-bay 108 located above the first sub-bay 106. The services bay 106 is arranged to support services comprising one or more conveying components. The conveying components are arranged to convey at least one of a fluid, power and an electrical signal. The conveying components can be supported within the services bay 106 by any suitable means. For example, they can be secured to the frame of the services bay by a suitable fastener.
The services bay 106 can support conveying components by any suitable means. For example, conveying components can be directly secured to the services bay 106.
Alternatively or additionally, supports can be secured to the services bay 106 and used to support the conveying components. For example, a suitable support for electrical cabling is cable tray.
The conveying components can include, for example, electrical cable, electrical busbar and fluid supply and return pipes. The conveying components typically form part of a service network for the facility.
The walkway module 100 is connectable to a further walkway module. When connected, the walkway modules can provide a walkway network on a roof of a facility. The walkway module 100 is connectable to another walkway module by any suitable means, for example by bolts or other fasteners connected through frames.
The walkway module 100 comprises a plurality of support legs including first support leg 109. The support legs 109 are arranged to be secured to a roof of a facility, or to a support pedestal this is itself secured to a roof.
In certain embodiments, the walkway module 100 includes one or more walkway lights positioned to illuminate the walkway. The walkway lights can be embedded within or secured to the walkway and/or the handrail.
The walkway module is composed of a suitable material such as steel.
The walkway module 100 is typically manufactured off-site in a factory and is then transported to the site where the facility is being constructed.
Advantageously, the walkway module 100 can be pre-manufactured and quickly and easily installed on-site. Advantageously, the walkway module 100 can be installed and the conveying components can be fitted quickly and reliably. Advantageously, the walkway module 100 can have a standard size or sizes to allow a suitable layout to be specified during design of the facility. Advantageously, the walkway module 100 can increase the ease with which a service network can be installed on a roof of a facility.
Advantageously, the walkway module 100 can make it easier to provide plant equipment on the roof of a facility and to distribute the services across the roof.
The support legs including support legs 109 are secured to the roof of a facility. Conveying components are located within and supported by the first sub-bay 107 and second sub-bay 108.
The walkway module 200 substantially corresponds with the walkway module of
The walkway module 200 includes a raised walkway comprising a single walkway section 201. The walkway module 200 is a T-piece such that it is connectable to a further walkway module 200 on each of three sides. The walkway module 200 comprises a single handrail 202 extending along a first side of the walkway 201. The walkway module 200 includes three other sides that do not include any handrail to allow connection with another walkway module.
The walkway system 401 comprises a plurality of walkway modules connected to each other including straight walkway modules and corner walkway modules. The walkway system 401 is connected to a first plant room 402 and a second plant room 403. The walkway system 401 provides a walkway that allows service personnel to walk between the first plant room 402 and the second plant room 403. The walkway system 401 also provides a route to connect conveying components between the first plant room 402 and the second plant room 403. In certain embodiments, the walkway module 401 can also connect to a roof module 404 and/or a lid module 405.
The support pedestal 500 comprises a lower plate 501 and an upper plate 502 connected by an elongate rod 503.
The lower plate 501 comprises a lower surface 504 that is securable to a roof of a facility. The upper plate 502 includes an upper surface 505 that is securable to a component such as a walkway module as described herein. In this embodiment, the upper surface 505 includes a first trough 506 and a second trough 507 that are shaped to engage with correspondingly shaped parts of the support leg of a walkway module.
The lower plate 501 of the support pedestal 500 is secured to a structural load bearing surface 508 of the facility roof (such as a steel part of the facility). The upper plate 502 of the support pedestal 500 is secured to the walkway module 513.
Typically, the roof includes one or more layers on top of the structural load bearing surface 508. It will be understood that depending on the application and construction technique used, the roof may include different numbers and types of layers. In this example, the structural load bearing surface 508 is concrete layer (which may itself be supported by a steel structure). An EPDM layer 509 is provided on top of the concrete layer 508. EPDM is a durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer). An insulation layer 510 is provided on top of the EPDM layer 509. A tar layer 511 is provided on top of the insulation layer 510. A stone layer 512 is provided on top of the tar layer 511.
In this way, the support pedestal 500 is sandwiched within multiple roof layers. The support pedestal 500 is sized such that the upper plate 502 extends out of the top of the roof layers.
Advantageously, the support pedestal 500 can be used to pass the weight of heavy objects such as walkway modules directly to the load bearing surface of a roof, effectively bypassing other non-load bearing layers such as insulation layers.
While the support pedestal 500 has been described in the context of securing walkway modules to a roof, it will be understood that the support pedestal 500 can be used to secure other suitable objects to the roof.
Also described herein is a support pedestal for securing an object to a roof of a facility. The support pedestal comprises a lower plate; an upper plate; and an elongate rod connecting the lower and upper plates. The lower plate is arranged to be secured to a roof of a facility. The upper plate is arranged to be secured to an object. In use, the lower plate is secured to a roof and the upper plate is secured to an object. The weight of the object is passed from the upper plate, through the elongate rod, to the lower plate and into the roof.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” or “comprising” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2314688.9 | Sep 2023 | GB | national |
