Whether you rent your commercial building out to a business or you own the building your business is in, keeping that building in tip-top shape is always a priority. This means protecting it from the elements and time. One way building owners can do this is by employing a deflection monitoring system.

What Is a Deflection Monitoring System?

A deflection monitoring system is a form of structural monitoring. It involves measuring the sag or deflection of field joists to check the effect of snow, ice or water accumulation on the overall structure.

Why Is Monitoring Important?

Monitoring deflection helps building owners identify the negative effects of a storm or prolonged buildup on the structural integrity of their roof. It can alert personnel to dangerous conditions before they become a disaster, such as a cave-in or a roof failure.

Who Uses Deflection Monitoring?

Anyone can use structural and deflection monitoring to help prevent problems. Engineers recommend it during long steel construction and for flat roof buildings such as warehouses, office buildings and industrial buildings. 

What Are the Types of Deflection Monitoring?

The two recognized types are manual and automatic monitoring. Manual monitoring relies on an engineer to conduct a visual inspection of the joists. Automatic monitoring employs a system of sensors to relay real-time data to an owner or engineering company. 

What Else Can Monitoring Predict?

Structural and deflection monitoring isn’t only useful for predicting the damage inclement weather is doing. It can also predict the effects of time, ground settlement, decay and other hostile conditions. Some overall structural systems can accurately predict when any structural element of a building is under stress. These predictions can keep you, your inventory and your employees safe by alerting you to a potential problem.

Snow, ice and water buildup are inevitable. A structural or monitoring system is an important tool that you can use to keep your property and personnel safe under these conditions.