Freestanding guardrails
Freestanding guardrails VECTACO® VAP are an easy way to protect roof edges against falls from heights. Their counterweights system allows not drilling the roof membrane. In addition, the small number of components of the safety system makes assembly simple and quick. That is the reason why, most of our customers carry out the installation themselves, thus saving the cost of installation by external companies. As a means of collective protection equipment (CPE), freestanding guardrails are the most effective protection against falling from the roof. Safety on the roof is thus always guarantee, regardless of the employee’s approach to safety procedures.
Use of Freestanding Safety Guardrails on Flat Roofs
Freestanding guardrails are the perfect solution when you do not want to drill the roof membrane. The counterweights fixed to guardrails support legs, ensures that the railings are stable and able to comply with the European standards. Both the counterweights and the uprights rubber pads have been designed not to damage the roof sheathing. VECTACO® freestanding guardrails protect roofs with pitches up to 15˚.
The greatest advantage of our freestanding guardrails is how easy they are to assemble. That allows most of our customers to carry out the installation themselves. Our technical department advises clients on how to perform the installation according to the PN EN 14122-3 standard. Plastic counterweights have ergonomic handles for easy carrying. In this way, we can secure edge roofs in a very short time. This saves time and installation costs. Just remember that freestanding guardrails VECTACO® VAP are intended for roofs accessible only by technical personnel – not people.
Technical and Financial Benefits of VECTACO® Counterweight Railings
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- the employer is 100% sure that safety on the roof is always guaranteed regardless of the employee’s approach. Collective protective equipment (CPE).
- no maintenance cost of the fall protection system. Unlike traditional EN ISO 795 lifelines systems, freestanding guardrails are a “once and for all” investment that requires neither annual inspections nor training of roof users.
- 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.
- rubber pads ensure complete watertightness of the roof. No need to drill the roof membrane.
- short delivery time. Very quick assembly.
Aluminum Freestanding Guardrails – Lightweight Design and C3 Corrosion Resistance
Freestanding guardrails VECTACO® VAP 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.’
Our 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.
Depending on the needs, we can install a standard straight upright or a inclined upright. The inclined upright is mainly intended for situations where the investor does not want the railing to be visible from the bottom of the building. Also in some situations, it can be useful to use a railing folding system, such as:
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- in places where it is necessary to fold the railing in order to perform some specific works
- to maintain the aesthetics of the building, bending to disappear from external view of the building.
Legal Basis and Compliance: Understanding the EN ISO 14122-3 Standard
Freestanding guardrails VECTACO® 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 freestanding guardrails. Freestanding guardrails 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.
The Risks of Using Temporary EN 13374 Standards on Permanent Roofs
European standard EN ISO 13374 – “Temporary edge protection systems — Product specification — Test methods”, refers to a temporary securing of roofs. It should not be applied when we want permanently secure our roof against falls from heights. As a temporary edge protection standard (EN ISO 13374), the requirements are less demanding than those regarding EN ISO 14122-3 for permanent roof protection. Very often, the applied standard EN ISO 13374 for freestanding railings is only intended to increase the upright distance and in this, reduce the cost of edge protection large projects.
For more information about the right standard on freestanding roof handrails, please read my post.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Freestanding Guardrails
What standards must freestanding 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 freestanding 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 freestanding guardrails with counterweights?
No manufacturer’s authorisation or specialist training is required to install freestanding 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.
How quickly can freestanding roof safety railings be installed?
In the case of freestanding guardrails, two people can install 150 metres in just an 8-hour shift. You must add to this, the time needed to carry the components up to the roof and position them along the edge roof to secure.
Does installing freestanding railings require drilling into the roof?
Not at all. The freestanding railing system uses plastic weights (counterweights) with rubber pads. This ensures the structure is 100% stable and safe, without damaging the waterproofing or the roof covering.
What is the warranty period and the conditions for maintaining it in the case of freestanding roof guardrails?
Freestanding 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).
Final Summary – Why Invest in Permanent CPE Counterweight Railings
Freestanding guardrails are the quickest, safest and most effective way to protect people against falls on flat roofs. Unlike traditional rope systems and anchor points compliant with EN ISO 795, counterweight aluminium railings do not require annual, paid technical inspections or specialist training for staff. This allows for significant cost savings throughout the entire service life of the building.
Furthermore, as a collective protection measure (CPM), freestanding railings with counterweights guarantee 100% safety regardless of whether the worker remembers to clip in their harness or not – the risk of human error is completely eliminated. It is the ideal, non-invasive solution for flat roofs, protecting people’s health without compromising the roof’s cladding or watertightness.
Do you want to permanently secure your facility’s flat roof and eliminate annual inspection costs? Contact us today. Our engineering team will prepare a customized safety railings project layout and price offer tailored to your building’s specifications free of charge.