Parapet is a construction term that goes back to words found in French and Italian. In this case, the term "parapet" has several basic meanings.
The parapet is a low fence that can be installed on various structures.
Origin of the term
It is believed that the term "parapet" comes from a combination of two words that are found in Italian and French. One of these words, parare - "to protect", the other, petto - "chest". Thus, the general meaning of this term, following from its literal translation, determines not only the purpose of the structure, but also its approximate height - at chest level.
The meaning of the term
The most rare, outdated meaning of the term "parapet" interprets it as a military structure - a rampart designed to protect soldiers from enemy fire. Another meaning of this word, which can still be found today, is used among specialists in the field of construction of hydraulic structures: by the word "parapet" they call a wall located at the top of a dam or dam, which protects it from overwhelming waves.
However, the most commonly used meaning of this word today is associated with urban planning. In architecture, the term "parapet" usually refers to a fence installed around the perimeter of an open space such as a balcony, bridge or terrace. It is often used to add decorative properties to a structure, for example, by installing statues, vases and similar structures on it.
However, the main purpose of the parapet is to protect people in such a space from accidental falls. Therefore, its height is usually at least 45 cm, and in some cases it can reach 120 cm. One of the common options for places where a parapet is installed is the roof of a building, and it can be either flat or pitched.
Russian building codes require the installation of parapets on all roofs of buildings, the height of which is more than 10 m. In particular, this requirement applies to the so-called exploited roofs, that is, those on which certain objects are located that involve the presence of people. For example, on an exploited roof, there may be a bar, pool, or sports ground. In all these and similar cases, the installation of a parapet on the roof is mandatory.
In the construction of modern buildings, two main types of materials for the parapet are often used - brick and metal. Both of them are characterized by high levels of strength and durability, and these, in turn, are important requirements when carrying out parapet installation work.