A roof without anchors is a risk waiting to happen

By Jesse Sanchez. 

This roofing expert is sounding the alarm on rooftop safety and why code-compliant attachments are no longer optional. 

In a conversation that’s part technical deep-dive, part industry wake-up call, Anchor Products’ Scott Carpenter makes one thing clear: unsecured rooftop equipment isn’t just a code violation, it’s a ticking time bomb. Speaking with Heidi J. Ellsworth on this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Scott lays out a safety challenge that too many contractors and building owners still ignore: Rooftop attachments that aren’t properly fastened, despite clear requirements in the International Building Code. 

“Trust is not a free gift. It’s earned over time,” Carpenter says early in the conversation, explaining why Anchor’s core mission goes far beyond selling rooftop attachment solutions. “We’re selling anchors, yes, but what we’re really selling is trust.” That trust, he argues, is the foundation for long-term relationships with contractors, OEMs and specifiers, all of whom play a role in preventing rooftop disasters. 

The heart of the problem is that rooftop installations like HVAC units, solar panels and weather stations are being added to commercial buildings without proper mechanical attachment. According to Scott, this oversight has consequences. “A 65 mile an hour wind blew it off the curb and it went rolling across the roof,” he says, recounting a recent incident involving a 60-ton rooftop unit at a Dallas data center. “Thank goodness it didn’t wind up in the parking lot.” 

Such events are not isolated. The industry's increasing reliance on larger, heavier rooftop systems, particularly in sprawling data centers, has made proper attachment essential. But while code mandates secure fastening, enforcement is spotty. “I understand it’s code, but is it being enforced?” One skeptical attendee asked Scott during a presentation. The response, from a veteran specifier, was blunt: “I don’t care if it’s not being enforced. It’s in code for a reason and we’re always going to do the right thing because of the exposure to liability.” 

That exposure, Scott warns, can be catastrophic. Beyond physical damage, unsecured rooftop equipment risks breaching warranties, causing leaks and exposing owners and contractors alike to costly litigation. “It removes the emotion from the discussion,” he says. Leaving a clear message that if it's in the code, it's part of the warranty and it's simply the right thing to do. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn about more insights, including how service contractors can turn rooftop safety into both a business opportunity and a life-saving measure!