Finding a roof safety system may be a huge challenge, mainly when considering people’s safety, setup time, how dynamic loading impacts the roof, and, obviously, expenses. Don’t put a premium on safety — picking an ineffective roof protection strategy jeopardises it all.
A roof edge protection strategy is for everyone’s safety. A proper roof edge system keeps everyone on your property secure, whether they are tourists, maintenance staff, or workers.
A communal approach will also eliminate the subjective mistake aspect, which is frequently credited to the client. This implies that the client would not have to stress about donning a gear or linking to a private security system; instead, they will be able to concentrate on the tasks at hand.
Methods of Roof Edge Protection
Roof edge protection exists in a range of sizes and styles. The following are a few of them:
1. Structural Support
Scaffolding is the most frequent method of keeping your staff safe from falls. However, it should not be utilised as a constant roof edge solution. Remember that not every individual who gets access to a roof is a builder; some may be service employees or average citizens.
Traditional scaffolding, which is frequently used by building companies to get accessibility to the rooftop, takes a while to build up and just as much to run down. Furthermore, it lends the place an air of disorganisation.
2. Roof Handrail That Is Fixed
A permanent roof handrail has benefits and drawbacks. While stronger than scaffolding, a permanent handrail will breach your roof covering or barrier during construction.
There are multiple sorts of fixed roof edge security measures, each of which is composed of a special composition and needs a unique installation procedure. Since they’ll be installed on a rooftop, these handrails must be constructed of corrosion-resistant material.
3. Equipment That Needs Welding
A welded handrail will necessitate the presence of skilled labour on-site, as well as a significant amount of time for assembly. Welded joints are prone to weakening over time. Repairing or replacing pieces will take time and will necessitate tinkering with the entire network. Welding, for instance, will dissolve the catalysing on metals, rendering the system prone to damage.
4. Systems That Do Not Need Welding
Choose solutions that do not necessitate any on-site development wherever viable. A pipe and attachments will allow you to quickly construct a durable, convenient and maintained handrail.
A fixed handrail is often placed on top or sideways. This will be less hard to set up and maintain than a railing attached to the underside of a structure.
5. Installations That Are Attached to the Sides of a Building
When there seems to be no parapet on the border of a top, mounting the permanent rail onto the side of the structure might be an alternative. Due to the general entrance necessary to the side of the roof, such a system may present complications during installation.
6. Free-Standing Roof Handrail
Roof handrails that are standalone do not penetrate the roof membrane, making it watertight and stable. If no on-site manufacturing is required (for example, welding), the solution will also be very fast and easy to implement. In this perspective, the ideal answer is that a free-standing roof edge protection system does not demand to weld. Their versatility ensures that it will cause minimal inconvenience if it has to be repaired or components removed. It is quick to set up and upkeep (and just as simple to dismantle if necessary). It is available in aluminium and steel, which are very corrosion resistant.