Safety Railings on Insulated Membrane and Metal Roofs
Insulated membrane roof railings VECTACO® VBE guarantee perfect watertightness of the roofing. The railing base support is fixed from above directly to the metal sheet of the insulated roof. It is a certified solution in accordance with the European standard EN ISO 14122-3. As a collective protection equipment (CPE), safety on the roof is always guarantee, regardless of the employee’s approach to safety procedures. Unlike traditional EN 795 lifelines systems, safety railings do not require annual inspections or training of roof users. This is a significant saving during the entire life of the building.
Installation and Use of Safety Guardrails on Insulated Metal Roofs
Insulated membrane roof railings VECTACO® VBE are based on the same mounting technology as our VECTACO® VBA metal roof railings. The specially designed aluminium base is fixed from above directly to the stiffening ribs of the metal sheet. Individual elements of the safety system guarantee perfect watertightness of the roofing. During assembly, a special device for screwing ensure optimal drilling of the railings support base to the metal sheet roofing. In this way, we avoid the risk of piercing the metal sheet.
In the case of insulated metal roofs, we use the BE bracket support, which goes through the waterproofing complex on the metal deck. It is even possible to install a polyamide pad and filled the bracket support with foam. This way we achieve a more efficient thermal insulation of the roof. VECTACO® VBE insulated membrane roof railings can be used even on roofs with a slope angle up to 10°.
Technical Benefits of Safety Railings on Insulated Metal Roofs
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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, insulated membrane roof railings 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. It allows you to save on expenses related to the operation of the building.
- 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 complete watertightness of the roof.
- short delivery time. Very quick and simple assembly as a special device for screwing ensure optimal drilling of the metal roof
Aluminum Guardrails for Insulated Trapezoidal Roofs – Efficient Thermal Barrier
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® insulated membrane roof 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 aluminum 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
VBE 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 insulated membrane roof railings.
Insulated membrane 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 Insulated Metal Roof Railings
What standards must Insulated Metal roof guardrails meet in Europe?
In accordance with health and safety regulations, insulated metal 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 insulated metal 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 insulated membrane roof safety guardrails?
No manufacturer’s authorisation or specialist training is required to install insulated metal 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 insulated membrane roof safety railings be installed?
In the case of insulated membrane roof guardrails, two people can install 60 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.
How are safety railings installed on an insulated metal roof?
For insulated roofs, a dedicated BE fastener is used, which passes through the roof’s thermal insulation layer and is fixed directly to the ribs of the trapezoidal sheet metal, providing a stable base for the VECTACO® VBE railings.
Does the installation of VBE safety guardrails compromise the roof’s thermal insulation?
Not at all. The VECTACO® VBE system allows for the optional installation of a special polyamide washer and a tube filled with insulating foam. These components form an effective thermal barrier, eliminating thermal bridges and protecting the roof insulation.
What is the warranty period and the conditions for maintaining it in the case of safety roof guardrails?
Safety 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 – Safety and Full Waterproof Integrity for Insulated Metal Roof Coverings
Insulated membrane roof railings VECTACO® VBE are fixed from above directly to the ribs stiffening metal sheet of the insulated roof. The BE bracket support goes through the waterproofing complex on the metal deck. Individual elements of the safety system guarantee perfect watertightness of the roofing. VECTACO® VBE safety railings are a means of collective protection equipment (CPE). Thanks to this, safety on the roof is thus always guarantee, despite employee’s approach to safety procedures. VECTACO® 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.
Are you planning to install safety guardrails on an insulated trapezoidal roof and want to avoid heat loss or leaks? 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.