Guidelines Related To Roof-Edge Protection In The UK

A guardrail, also called a railing, is extensively used to keep people from entering or exiting a specific area. Public properties in general, are required to have a freestanding guardrail to prevent accidental falls. Many buildings these days are designed to have plenty of open space, which means increased access to balconies, terraces or roofs.

A freestanding guardrail is very easily confused with a handrail and used interchangeably. This is a mistake because guardrails are very different from handrails, and they have different but specific uses.

Used for roof edge protection, a guardrail can prevent any unexpected falls from heights. They are of two types- freestanding and fixed. They are used according to the loads they need to bear in different locations of the building. There are strict regulations for installation and design, as followed in the UK.

The standards mainly deal with temporary edge protection systems, safety and means of access to and from machinery, barriers in/about structures, permanent counterweighted systems, and loadings for buildings, respectively.

A freestanding guardrail is normally used on platforms or rooftops for maintenance purposes, and balconies or footpaths utilised by the general public. These guardrails are a popular choice for roof edge protection, as they are cost-effective and require no special installation needs.

A freestanding guardrail hence reduces the chances of fatal injuries and is normally used when any individual works within two metres of a fall edge.

Good guardrail systems have the following characteristics

1. Construction is based on design specifications and measurements

2. The right person needs to install the guardrail

3. Examine and test for strength and durability after manufacture

4. To-the-point instructions for correct installation

5. Usage should be as designated

As mentioned above, there are two kinds of guardrail systems

1. Freestanding guardrails make for excellent non-permanent fixtures

2. Fixed guardrails are good in the long run and are welded into place.

Before deciding on the kind of rooftop protection system you require, you will need to check for the following-

1. Composition of roofing material used

2. Area coverage required by the project

3. Roof pitch

4. Your budget considerations

Guardrail inspections require extensive testing before they can be installed. This is to ensure the highest safety for everyone involved. For this, a ‘Duty Holder’ is appointed, who will get designated competent personnel.

1. Check if usage is for the appropriate purpose mentioned

2. Maintenance policies are followed well and promptly

3. Continuous inspections to ensure that everything is in working order

There are several legal requirements to be fulfilled in the UK with respect to roof edge protection. They specify that at least 2 horizontal rails, with a minimum height of 1100 mm, make up a guardrail. There are loading criteria to be considered too. CDM Regulations 2007 require that you arrange for a risk assessment to check if a guardrail is enough to prevent objects or people from falling over. It is, of course, important to remember that these standards are applied for normal situations and not during circumstances involving mass panic.