What is Parapet Wall:
A wall which is built along the sides of the terrace, terrace, and balcony is known as a parapet wall.
Parapet walls occur around the edges of roofs which may be pitched or flat. the purpose of the parapet wall is to provide a balustrade at roof level and also to prevent the penetration of dampness into the walling below.
Building Regulations ( Height & Thickness ) For A Parapet Wall:
1. Parapet walls should be provided with a DPC at least 150 millimeters above the line of intersection between the roof and the wall
2. They can be a cavity or solid wall construction but the thickness of the parapet wall must be at least 200 mm or 9 inches.
3. The height should not exceed 4 times the thickness. the minimum and maximum height of the parapet wall is 2 feet 6 inches and 5 feet. in general, the height of the parapet wall is 3 feet.
4. They should be provided with a weather-resistant coping which should project beyond the face of the wall.
5. good weather-resistant motor and hard-bound or dense bricks should be used for building parapet walls.
Use of Parapet Wall:
Generally, Parapet Walls Have Various Uses. Some Of Them Are,
- To give the structure an aesthetic look.
- To prevent people falling from roof/terrace and in case of bridges to prevent vehicles from falling off a bridge.
- To hide and prevent any equipment and machinery on the roof.
- To prevent the ingress of dust through the air on the roof.
- To prevent high wind loads from coming to the roof.
- to defend building good appearance to the house.
Parapet Wall Coping:
- they should have a weathering or slope on the upper surface to shed any rain quickly.
- they should keep the water away from the face of the wall as much as possible.
- the material for the coping should be capable of resisting the action of the water.
- they should give a good appearance at the top of the well.
- movement joints should be every 3 meters.
Types of Parapet Walls:
Parapet Walls Are Classified Into Different Types On The Basis Of Appearance Or Design And Functions
(A) The classification of parapet walls on the basis of design or appearance is as follows:
- Plain Parapet Walls
- Paneled Parapet Walls
- Perforated Parapet Walls
- Embattled Parapet Walls
(B) The Classification Of Parapet Walls On The Basis Of Shape And Functionality Are As Follows:
- Sloped Parapet Walls
- Stepped Parapet Walls
- Flat Parapet Walls
- Curved Parapet Walls
1. Plain Parapet Walls
- A plain parapet wall is nothing more than a vertical extension of the wall at the edge of the roof. This is a general type of parapet designed specifically for safety reasons.
- Concrete coping is provided at the top and corbel at the bottom.
- A plain parapet usually looks dull.
- Plain parapet walls are easier to build parapets and require less care.
2. Paneled Parapet Wall
- Paneled parapet walls look like plain parapets but the difference is that the panel parapets are decorated with a series of panel designs on the outside of the panel wall.
- This type of parapet is more popular because it gives the structure a beautiful look and at the same time does not cost much and provides ease of construction.
- Panels can be rectangular or square but no holes are provided in this case.
3. Perforated Parapet Walls
- The perforated parapet wall is also an extension of the wall like a plain parapet but in this case, the part with a wide wall is perforated with openings of different sizes keeping in view the aesthetic appearance of the structure.
- Differently designed perforations like chakras, trefoils, flower shapes etc. are used.
4. Embattled Parapet Walls
- Optional lower and upper sections and perforations are provided in the parapet. In ancient times, these perforations were commonly used by archers to shoot arrows while defending the fort.
- In ancient times embattled parapets were used especially for forts, forts, etc.
- Due to their beautiful appearance and uniqueness, organized parapets are now being built to enhance the aesthetic aspects of the structures.
5. Sloped Parapet Walls
- Slopped parapet walls are provided for sloping roof structures such as industrial structures, trussed structures, etc.
6. Stepped Parapet Walls
- Stepped parapet walls are also used for sloping roof structures. In this case, the wall is constructed in a stair-type design as shown in the figure below.
7. Flat Parapet Walls
- Flat parapet walls are recommended for flat roof structures.
8. Curve Parapet Walls
- Curved parapet walls, also called arched parapet walls, are recommended for both flat and incline roofs.
Construction Cost of Parapet Wall:
- The cost of a parapet wall ranges from ₹5,000 to ₹5,500/cubic meter, depending on the quality of the brick and mortar used, without plastering and painting.
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