Parapet
A parapet is a barrier that is an upward extension of a wall at the edge of a
Parapet types
Parapets may be plain, embattled, perforated or panelled,[1] which are not mutually exclusive terms.
- Plain parapets are upward extensions of the wall, sometimes with a coping at the top and corbel below.[1]
- Embattled parapets may be panelled, but are pierced, if not purely as stylistic device, for the discharge of defensive projectiles.
- Perforated parapets are pierced in various designs such as circles, trefoils, or quatrefoils.[1]
- Panelled parapets are ornamented by a series of panels, either oblong or square, and more or less enriched, but not perforated. These are common in the Decorated and Perpendicular periods.[1]
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A modern, transparent parapet surrounds a New York City rooftop.
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Elaborate parapets flank the roof of King's College Chapel, Cambridge.
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A modern parapet with integrated lighting functions as a guard rail along the BP Pedestrian Bridge in Chicago
Historic parapet walls
Parapet roofs
Parapets surrounding roofs are common in London. This dates from the Building Act 1707 which banned projecting wooden eaves in the cities of Westminster and London as a fire risk. [citation needed] Instead an 18-inch brick parapet was required, with the roof set behind. This was continued in many Georgian houses, as it gave the appearance of a flat roof which accorded with the desire for classical proportions.
In Shilpa Shastras, the ancient Indian science of sculpture, a parapet is known as hāra. It is optionally added while constructing a temple. The hāra can be decorated with various miniature pavilions, according to the Kāmikāgama.[5] In the Bible the Hebrews are obligated to build a parapet on the roof of their houses to prevent people falling (Deuteronomy 22:8).
Firewall parapets
Many firewalls are required to have a parapet, a portion of the wall extending above the roof. The parapet is required to be as fire resistant as the lower wall, and extend a distance prescribed by building code.
Bridge parapets
Parapets on bridges and other highway structures (such as retaining walls) prevent users from falling off where there is a drop.[6] They may also be meant to restrict views, to prevent rubbish passing below, and to act as noise barriers.
Bridge parapets may be made from any material, but
In European standards, parapets are defined as a sub-category of "vehicle restraint systems" or "pedestrian restraint systems".
Parapets in fortification
A parapet
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 20 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 770.
- ISBN 0-442-02462-2.
- ^ Bedair, Rania. "Comprehensive Study of Wind Loads on Parapets" (PDF). Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ISBN 978-0987345110.
- ^ Temples of Salem region Up to 1336 AD (PDF).
- ^ a b "Concrete parapets along road drop off.". Flickr. January 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
- ISBN 9780750927444.
- ^ George Orwell 1938, Homage to Catalonia; see Chap VII. Orwell frequently speaks of parapets and includes any obstruction planned or temporary including those made of hastily shoveled soil, sandbags of dirt, piles of stones, etc., made during 1936–37 trench warfare when he was a militia soldier in the Spanish Civil War.
- ^ A New and Enlarged Military Dictionary, Charles James, Egerton Military Library 1810.
Bibliography
- Senani Ponnamperuma. The Story of Sigiriya, Panique Pty Ltd, 2013 pp 124–127, 179. ISBN 978-0987345141.