Folding Roof Safety Guardrail System
The folding roof guardrail system allows you to maintain the aesthetics of the building, bending to disappear from external view of the building. All our models VECTACO® can be fitted with a folding guardrail system. It can also be useful in places where it is necessary to fold the railing in order to perform some specific works. As with the rest of our safety railings, they do not require neither annual inspection nor roof user training. It is a means of collective protection equipment (CPE). Therefore, safety on the roof is thus always guarantee, regardless of the employee’s approach to safety procedures.
Use and Locking Mechanism of Roof Safety Folding Guardrails
In some situations, it may be necessary to install a folding guardrail system all along the roof edge or only in some sections. For example, to maintain the aesthetics of the building, bending to disappear from external view of the building. Also when it is necessary to fold the railing in order to perform some specific works. Foldable modules up to 12 meters long by only one person, ensures quick protection of the roof during intervention.
3 Handle-Locking Railing Positions: From Collapsible to Full Safety Height
The locking system with a spring-loaded handle allows the safety railings to be set in 3 different positions:
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- Folded position, when no worker is working on the roof. The guardrail handrail is almost in the ground.
- Intermediate position, which makes the danger area more visible and reduces the risk of tripping when walking on the roof. The folding guardrail system remains invisible from the outside;
- Operational position, which guarantees safety. Normal handrail height.
Technical Benefits of Folding Roof Safety Guardrails
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- Unlike lifelines systems EN 795 (PPE), the employer is 100% sure that safety on the roof is always guaranteed regardless of the employee’s approach (CPE).
- no maintenance cost of the fall protection system. Unlike traditional EN ISO 795 lifelines systems, folding guardrail system is a “once and for all” investment that requires neither annual inspections nor training of roof users.
- freedom of movement on the roof without limiting the number of users at once
- companies operating the equipment or performing works on the roof, as well as employees, do not need to have additional qualifications to work at height. Safety railings securing the roof edge are treated as a structural element of the building.
- All our models VECTACO® can be fitted with a guardrail folding system
- Very quick and simple assembly
Aluminum Roof Folding Guardrails – Lightweight Design and C3 Corrosion Resistance
VECTACO® safety railings are made of aluminium. Compared to steel railings, our aluminium roof railings provide greater resistance to adverse weather conditions, including corrosion. Our railings are classified according to EN ISO 12944-2 as corrosion class C3. This is a medium corrosivity class – ‘urban and industrial atmospheres, moderate sulphur dioxide (IV) pollution, e.g. coastal areas with low salinity.’
These roof railings give a modern design to any building thanks to their raw aluminium finish. Other finishes on request, such as anodized aluminium, thermo-lacquered and matched to any RAL colour.
Legal Regulations and HSE Standards: Permanent Collective Protection Equipment (CPE)
VECTACO® safety railings are certified in accordance with the European standard EN ISO 14122-3 date December 2007 regarding safety of machinery – permanent means of access to machinery – part 3: stairs, stepladders and guardrails. According to this European standard, in the absence of a parapet or element on the edge to secure higher than 10 cm, we should install a toeboard.
If the workplace is more than 1 m above the surface, regulations require us to protect edges with safety railings. European Directive 89/391/EEC, which lays down the principles of preventive action, prioritizes CPE over personal protective equipment (PPE). The regulations clearly state that lifeline safety systems and anchor points EN ISO 795 should only be used when it is not possible to use collective protection equipment, such as a folding guardrail system.
Roof railings are the most effective protection against falling from the roof. As a passive safety system, modular railings allow to secure roof edges without requiring any intervention of roof users. Safety on the roof is thus always guarantee, regardless of the employee’s approach to safety procedures.
Comprehensive Fall Protection Systems – AITANA SAFETY
AITANA SAFETY has been a pioneer in using Collective Protection Measures to prevent falls. We have been designing and installing both roof railings and other roof safety devices for over ten years. All our systems are tested by notified bodies in accordance with European standards.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Folding Roof Guardrails
What standards must folding roof guardrails meet in Europe?
In accordance with health and safety regulations, roof safety railings used as collective protective equipment (CPE) must comply with the European standard EN ISO 14122-3 – permanent means of access to machinery – Part 3: stairs, stepladders and guardrails. VECTACO® roof guardrails have successfully passed all static and dynamic tests required by the above-mentioned standards. It should be noted that European Directive 89/391/EEC, which lays down the principles of preventive action, gives priority to collective protective measures (CPE) over personal protective equipment (PPE). The regulations clearly state that rope safety systems and anchor points in accordance with EN ISO 795 should only be used when it is not possible to use collective protection equipment, such as safety railings securing the roof edge.
Do folding roof safety guardrails require annual technical inspections?
Unlike lifeline systems and anchor points (PPE), roof safety railings are treated as a permanent structural element of the building. This means that they do not require annual paid inspections or specialist training for staff.
Who is authorised to install folding roof guardrails?
No manufacturer’s authorisation or specialist training is required to install folding roof guardrails. Simply follow the installation instructions for the relevant model to comply with the requirements of standard EN ISO 14122-3. It is a modular system that consists of a small number of components, making installation quick and easy. Most of our customers carry out the installation themselves using the instructions provided, saving on the costs of external contractors.
When is it advisable to use folding safety guardrails on a roof?
VECTACO® folding guardrails are the ideal solution when regulations require collective protection equipment (CPE), but the client wishes to preserve the building’s façade aesthetics. The safety guardrail can be easily folded away, making it completely invisible from street level when no maintenance work is being carried out on the roof.
What is the warranty period and the conditions for maintaining it in the case of folding roof guardrails?
Roof safety railings are covered by a 10-year warranty on aluminium (and steel) components and a 2-year warranty on other components, such as plastic parts. In order to maintain this warranty, simply install and use the barriers strictly in accordance with the supplied installation instructions or layout installation plans, and carry out an annual visual inspection of the installation yourself (checking fixings, alignment of sections and the absence of visible damage).
Summary – Aesthetic and Functional Roof Edge Protection Solution
Folding guardrail system VECTACO® is a means of collective protection equipment (CPE). Thanks to this, we exclude the employee’s decision to secure himself or not. Safety railings do not require annual inspections or training of roof users. In this way, they allow you to save a lot of money during the entire life of the building. A folding guardrail system is very useful in some situations. All our models VECTACO® can be fitted with it.
Do you want to secure your roof edge in full compliance with safety regulations while preserving the flawless aesthetics and architecture of your building? Contact us today. Our engineering team will prepare a customized safety railings project layout and price offer tailored to your parapet wall free of charge.