Also, it should probably be said that many racking systems are not designed for greater than a 45 degree pitch. Last time we ran into a roof like this I think we used snap n rack. I think it was them whose design tool allowed for greater than a 45 degree pitch.
If possible we like to put the lowest rail up from a ladder. Once you have those mounts and the first rail up, the rest is much easier. Also Petzl has some good industrial rope access harnesses with work positioning attachment points on the front. Then we use the petzl ASAP lock as it is easy to move up and down a rope, and can be locked in place. It will also grab in case of a fall (obviously). Cheers, Dave On Wed, May 20, 2026, 5:45 PM Michael Morningstar via RE-wrenches < [email protected]> wrote: > Yes! Ladder hooks AND ladder jacks with aluminum scaffolding spanning the > jacks is essential. A telescopic material handler and wide basket is worth > renting and as others have suggested scaffolding at the right height is > essential. I usually erect staging scaffolding against the working > scaffolding to make schleping modules to the roof more humane. On steep > metal roofs, I'll install a purpose made 10k swivel anchor at each end of > the ridge that will be left behind for future use. Attached between those > anchors,is strung a horizontal lifeline that we attach retractable lanyards > to. All told its an expensive setup and time consuming to set up but feels > very safe and mostly eliminates struggle > > On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 11:15 AM Solar Energy Solutions via RE-wrenches < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> We like all of the above and… Ladder hooks. Something like… >> >> [image: AdvancedLadders-137-rotated.jpg] >> >> Ladder Roof and Ridge Hook with Wheel >> <https://share.google/LKXZt4094JZVQIGmW> >> share.google <https://share.google/LKXZt4094JZVQIGmW> >> <https://share.google/LKXZt4094JZVQIGmW> >> >> >> >> *Andrew Koyaanisqatsi* >> President >> >> >> *Solar Energy Solutions, Inc.The BRIGHT CHOICE* >> >> *Since 1987,** helping you and your * >> *Portland neighbors move** towards an environmentally sustainable >> future.* >> >> >> *503-238-4502 <503-238-4502>www.SolarEnergyOregon.com >> <http://www.solarenergyoregon.com/>* >> >> On May 20, 2026, at 9:55 AM, August Goers via RE-wrenches < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> Hi Tyrone - >> >> William's recommendation of scaffolding is good - make sure the top level >> of the scaffolding walking area is all the way up to the lower edge of the >> roof. Then, the scaffolding safety rails will extend above that level. Toe >> boards are also very helpful if the array is high above that lower >> scaffolding area. They can be installed below the array so the install team >> has a place to rest their feet. Last but not least, Pitch Hoppers are an >> amazing product, but they only work up to 12/12 roof pitches: >> https://www.thepitchhopper.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23505716862&gbraid=0AAAAACalGfIVxfUbZtY5oY94925KLYl0i&gclid=CjwKCAjwt7XQBhBkEiwAtStppyREsblu68JKRPZGX8ogbYwhyDTTI-4bdVhDNTb482CC_j7cZgY6BxoCkrYQAvD_BwE >> >> -August >> >> >> >> >> On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 9:09 AM William Miller via RE-wrenches < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Tyrone: >>> >>> I have some experience with steep roofs. To keep this post short I will >>> start with two recommendations: >>> >>> Scaffold the eaves. This gives you a place to stage materials and to >>> rest your calves. It is a last resort back-stop if you take a slide. >>> >>> Fall protection harness with positioning d-rings. These are two rings at >>> your hips that you can clip in a bridle you can lean back against. >>> >>> Good luck. >>> >>> William Miller >>> Miller Solar.com >>> 805-438-5600 >>> www.millersolar.com >>> >>> On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 8:31 AM Tyrone Houck via RE-wrenches < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Greetings wrenches, >>>> I am looking at a job with an extreme pitch comp roof(60°) and figured >>>> I would reach out to see what other installers' experiences have been and >>>> what recommendations or best practices advice ones might have. It's rare >>>> that we do anything steeper than 45° so I would greatly appreciate any >>>> insight you guys may have! >>>> Sunny Regards, >>>> >>>> Tyrone Houck >>>> Oregon Solarworks LLC >>>> CCB #204937 LRT #076 >>>> 541-787-1366 >>>> [email protected] >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >>>> >>>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >>>> >>>> List Address: [email protected] >>>> >>>> Change listserver email address & settings: >>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>>> >>>> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try >>>> the other: >>>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>>> >>>> List rules & etiquette: >>>> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>>> >>>> Check out or update participant bios: >>>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >>> >>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List Address: [email protected] >>> >>> Change listserver email address & settings: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try >>> the other: >>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List rules & etiquette: >>> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>> >>> Check out or update participant bios: >>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >> >> List Address: [email protected] >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the >> other: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >> >> List Address: [email protected] >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the >> other: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> > > -- > > Michael Morningstar > > > Morningstar Electric Inc > > PO Box 1494 > > Mount Shasta, CA 96067 > > 530-921-0560 > > CSLB 1116835 > > [email protected] > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org > >
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