Parapet walls are one of the most significant parts of a house. A parapet wall is a low wall built along the edge of a roof, terrace, walkway, balcony, etcetera. It is a raised barrier at the edge of a roof mostly an extension of the building’s main wall and acts as a barricade or railing roof. Many parapets have a built-in drainage system making them significant for flat roof designs. These walls can be constructed using different materials like reinforced concrete, steel, glass, etc. Parapet walls in Kenya are categorized into two groups based on their appearance and configuration.
Uses Of Parapet Walls In Kenya.
Parapet walls constructed have a number of uses including:
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Safety
Parapet walls are constructed for the purpose of providing safety for humans when on the rooftop to prevent the danger of falling off and causing injuries. Having a wall surrounding the perimeter of a roof makes it difficult for accidents to happen.
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Aesthetics
Different designs of parapet walls can be constructed therefore providing a better aesthetic appearance to the building.
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Maximizing space
The construction of parapet walls allows maximization of the whole space especially the area close to the edge since it will be more secure than without a parapet wall.
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Protection of equipment
Some equipment or appliances like HVAC systems and generators are installed on the rooftop of buildings and need protection, constructing a barrier like parapet walls serves this purpose.
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Breaking up winds
High winds have been known to cause significant damage by blowing roof materials therefore parapet walls reduce the strength of these winds avoiding a swirl around on the roof.
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Fire protection
Apartment builders can sometimes use parapet walls as firewalls, the walls are made extra thick between one unit and the other so if a fire breaks out in one unit, it will be difficult to spread the flames to the next one.
Things To Consider In The Construction Of Parapet Walls In Kenya
Parapets may be purely for aesthetic purposes or primarily functional such as performing as a firewall, either way, there are minimum requirements for their construction which include;
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Height
The height of the parapet wall is an important factor to consider in its construction, the minimum height of the parapet wall should be 900mm or 3 feet and should not be constructed less than that because it ensures safety.
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Thickness
Another thing to consider in the construction of a parapet wall is the thickness of the wall. the minimum thickness of parapet walls should be 200mm or 9 inches thick.
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Plastering
The parapet wall should be plastered on both sides and finished with a waterproof paint or coating to prevent any problems caused by dampness
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Sealing
The joint between the roof should be sealed properly and the wall provided with proper coping to prevent leakages. The parapet wall should also be away from the plumbing system and electrical wiring.
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Reinforcement
Often parapet walls require reinforcement by steel bars to deliver the necessary structural ability because they are subjected to weather and wind making the walls vulnerable to rain and other forces.
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Slope
Provide an inward sloping on the top of the parapet wall to ensure that the rainwater drains inward to prevent the facade of the building from being affected by rainwater and dust particles, therefore, keeping it clean.
Final thoughts
When building parapet walls in Kenya, many things can go wrong therefore it is important to consider the factors outlined in this article. Unlike other exterior walls, parapets are exposed from three sides and are inadvertently connected to the interior through gaps in the structure, electrical wiring, and plumbing, hence it is essential to keep the parapet wall separated from the interior of the building.
