Parapet coping safety railings
Parapet coping railings VECTACO® VZ are mainly used in insulated on both sides parapet walls, finished with a metal cap flashing at the top. In this VECTACO® model, the fixing of the guardrails is placed in the upper part of the parapet under the metal cap flashing. This way, we guarantee a perfect watertightness of the parapet wall. VECTACO® safety railings are a means of collective protection equipment (CPE), so safety on the roof is always guarantee, regardless of the employee’s approach to safety procedures. Parapet coping railings are a structural element of the building. They do not require annual inspections or training of roof users.
Installation and Use of Guardrails Under Parapet Metal Flashing
Parapet coping railings VECTACO® VZ are intended to install in insulated parapet walls with a metal cap flashing at the top. The patented Z-shaped support element is produced in different lengths depending on the parapet wall thickness insulation. We ensure a perfect roof watertightness. We can even fix those VZ guardrails on steel parapets by using self-tapping screws. After fixing our Z-shaped guardrails support to the top of the parapet, we just lay down the metal cap flashing. Modular railing system guarantees very quick and easy assembly.
Benefits of VECTACO® Parapet Coping Edge Protection Systems
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- 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, parapet coping railings 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.
- fixing kit ensure complete watertightness of the parapet wall roof
- short delivery time. Very quick and simple assembly.
Aluminum Parapet Coping Railings – Lightweight Design and Facade Aesthetics
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.
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. Also in some situations, it can be useful to use a railing folding system.
Legal Regulations and HSE Standards: Why Invest in Certified CPE Systems?
VZ 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 parapet coping railings.
Parapet 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 Parapet Coping Guardrails
What standards must parapet coping 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 parapet coping 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 parapet coping railings?
No manufacturer’s authorisation or specialist training is required to install roof safety 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 parapet coping 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
How should a roof railing be installed so as not to spoil the building’s façade?
Aluminium safety railings installed beneath VECTACO® flashings are the ideal solution. The fixings are concealed beneath the parapet flashings, and the use of curved posts allows the guardrails to be completely hidden from view from the bottom of the building.
Does a safety guardrail installed beneath the flashings ensure the parapet is watertight?
Yes. The system has been designed so that the railing fixings are completely concealed by the flashings (parapet cap). This protects the structure from direct exposure to rain and snow, ensuring the waterproofing remains fully watertight.
What is the warranty period and the conditions for maintaining it in the case of freestanding 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 Non-Invasive Roof Edge Protection
Parapet coping railings VECTACO® VZ are intended to insulated on both sides parapet walls, finished with a metal cap flashing at the top. The patented guardrail Z-shaped base is placed in the upper part of the parapet under the metal cap flashing. In this way, we ensure perfect roof watertightness. Safety railings VECTACO® do not require neither annual inspections nor 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 looking for a roof safety solution that integrates seamlessly with your metal flashing without affecting your building’s facade aesthetics? 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.