How to work on a metal roof

Thank you for this forum. I look forward to input from the members here. I had a 4:12 pitch Sentriclad 16" O.C. standing seam galvalume roof with Kynar paint installed on my home in June 2014. I am in the solar energy business and finally am preparing to install a solar PV system on my roof, under the help of my licensed solar contractor friend. He and I have several questions for the metal roofing experts: A few things: I will be using S-5! clamps for the mechanical racking installation. I have a friend who is a PE that will be giving me a stamped drawing set. The only penetration through the roof will be the electrical conduit. 1. The paint coating makes this roof very slippery, even when dry. The few times I have been on my roof I have had a really hard time getting on my feet and being comfortable. I have worn good tennis shoes and still felt like I am about to slip. I'm in pretty decent physical shape and not too clumsy. Is there a shoe or other advice for making the foot wear "tacky" so that I can walk around and work up there? 2. I absolutely will be using a lifeline but wanted to know a little more about standing seam lifeline anchoring systems, so I won't have to make more holes than necessary in my roof, plus these anchoring systems are movable and removable. I've been looking at the Guardian 00250 from www.guardianfall.com with a self retracting lifeline. Questions here are: will this damage the paint finish or otherwise compromise the integrity of the roof system? Is there a better option out there that you would recommend? Are there other concerns I should be aware of? 3. Electrical conductor routing: I plan on having (1) 1" PVC conduit as the electrical pass-through. This conduit will be under the PV array and (mostly) out of direct sunlight. It will pass through the metal and roof decking at right angles to the surface. The conduit will be dammed with sealant at the penetration and then an Oatey EPDM 4-1/2" boot will be installed over the conduit with sealant and tec-screws. I plan on using NP-1 as the sealant. Is there a better choice for sealant? The roof is silver and I'd like to use something that will cure grey or white. UV resistance is critical even though this is under the array. The other (and less attractive) option is to route the electrical around the eave and penetrate directly into my attic space for electrical routing. This is not what I am going for in regards to aesthetics, but the entire install then requires zero penetrations in the roof. I have several vent stacks already that are flashed with the Oatey boots. How worried should I be about one more 1" pass-through? Thank you for your insight. Regards, Ken B.

Thanks so much. I appreciate your question. There are some shoes and overshoes used sometime say metal roofing installers. Look for "Cougar Paws" and "Korkers" Email me at todd@asktoddmiller.com if you have troubles sourcing them. The Guardian roof clamp looks like a good product. I have not had personal experience with it. I do think I'd take steps using foam or cardboard to try to keep it from scratching the roof surface. I would think the Guardian people could help evaluate whether there system will work with your roof, and what all steps should be taken. The NP-1 is a decent sealant. You could also look for a co-ether or poly-ether sealant. If it is possible to install a metal shield over the sealant to help protect it from the weather, there isn't anything wrong with that. I think you should be able to seal well around the one penetration. Good luck and feel free to contact us anytime.