Ground based guardrails (top-mounted installation)
Ground based guardrails VECTACO® VS are normally fix to the upper base of the parapet wall or to the ground. Watertightness is ensured by a specially designed set of membrane, screws and rubber pads. It is a very cheap solution that allows you to quickly secure roof edges. Very simple and quick assembly. VECTACO® VS safety railings do not require annual inspections or training of roof users as lifelines EN ISO 795. This is a significant saving during the entire life of the building. In addition, we exclude the employee’s decision to secure himself or not.
Installation and Use of Guardrails on Parapet Caps
Ground based guardrails VECTACO® VS can be fixed on metal parapets and on non-insulated concrete slabs and parapets. Watertightness is ensured by a specially designed set of membrane, screws and rubber pads. Fixing the railings with chemical anchor also increase watertightness and prevents water infiltration on the concrete structure. The minimum distance from the guardrail support to the edge is 60mm. In case of fixinf to a parapet wall, the minimum width of the parapet should be 125mm.
- A : 1 x rubber seal (cut to the shape of the base to be placed between the base and its support).
- B : 2 x rubber pads
- C : 2 x wide washers M10
- D : 2 x H M10 nut covers
Benefits of Top-Mounted Roof Safety Guardrails
-
- the employer is 100% sure that safety on the roof is always guaranteed despite employee’s approach to safety procedures. Collective protective equipment (CPE).
- no maintenance cost of the fall protection system. Unlike traditional EN ISO 795 lifelines systems, ground based guardrails are a “once and for all” investment that requires neither annual inspections nor training of roof users. Safety railings securing the roof edge are treated as a structural element of the building. This is a significant saving during the entire life of the building.
- freedom of movement on the roof without limiting the number of users at once unlike lifelines and anchors points EN ISO 795
- 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.
- fixing kit ensure outstanding watertightness of the roof and prevents water infiltration on the concrete structure.
- short delivery time. Very quick and simple assembly. Most of our clients install the safety railings themselves.
- Excellent price. A very economical solution to secure roof edges.
Aluminum Edge Protection – Lightweight Design and C3 Corrosion Resistance
By installing VECTACO® aluminium railings, we avoid all maintenance costs that arise when using steel railings. Our standard raw aluminium finish ensures a C3 corrosion category according to EN ISO 12944-2. VECTACO® railings give a modern design to any building.
Other finishes on request, such as anodized aluminium, thermal varnishing and matched to any RAL colour. Thermal varnishing (powder coating) is a process that ensures adequate protection of the aluminium railings coating.
Depending on the needs, we can install a standard straight upright or an 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.
Legal Regulations and HSE Standards: Permanent Collective Protection Equipment (CPE) on Roofs
VS 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.
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 ground based guardrails.
Ground based 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. 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 Ground-Based Guardrails
What standards must Ground-based 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 ground-based 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 ground-based guardrails?
No manufacturer’s authorisation or specialist training is required to install ground-based 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 ground-based roof safety railings be installed?
In the case of ground based guardrails, two people can install 100 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.
Could installing roof safety railings on the top of the parapet cause the wall to leak?
Not at all. VECTACO® VS system uses rubber washers cut to the shape of the uprights base and EPDM membrane seals. Furthermore, installation using chemical anchors completely seals the micro-pores in the concrete, guaranteeing 100% watertightness and protecting the roof structure from water infiltration.
What is the minimum wall width required for installing ground-based guardrails?
To ensure the system’s full stability and maintain a safe distance from the edge (minimum 60 mm), the minimum parapet wall width is 125 mm.
What is the warranty period and the conditions for maintaining it in the case of ground-based roof guardrails?
Ground-based 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 – The Most Cost-Effective and Secure Edge Protection Solution
VECTACO® VS ground based guardrails can be installed on a metal parapet as well as on non-insulated concrete slabs and parapets. Guardrails fixing kit ensures complete watertightness and prevents water infiltration on the concrete. It is a very economical solution to secure roof edges. The modular railing system ensures very quick and easy assembly. Unlike lifelines systems, PN ISO 795 does not require annual inspections or training for roof users. This is a significant saving during the entire life of the building.
Do you want to ensure uncompromising safety on your company’s roof and avoid the costs of annual inspections? Contact us today. Install roof guardrails on the parapet top. A cost-effective and durable solution for securing roof edges against falls from height.
Our engineering team will prepare a customized safety railings project layout and price offer tailored to your parapet wall free of charge.