What is a guardrail on roofs used for?
Flat roof guardrails are designed to prevent people from approaching the edge of a fall or, in the worst case, stepping over it and falling.
Often referred to as roof railings, safety railings or guardrails, these safety devices can protect several people, as well as larger groups of people, at the same time without the need for personal safety equipment. In contrast to anchorage devices, railing systems are therefore categorised as collective protection measures. This side protection in the form of guardrails is also categorised as fall protection in Germany.
Guardrails for roofs are available in several variants. These are usually differentiated according to their attachment to the flat roof
Attica guardrails
Parapet railings are self-explanatory. The side protection system can be securely connected to the parapet of the roof in three different ways. There are three attachment variants for the parapet railing:
- Installation under the parapet sheet
- Installation from the side, from the inside
- Installation from above on the parapet or roof surface
Several railing lengths, inclinations and heights are available for all of the designs. This ensures that parapet roof railings from Sicherheitskonzepte Breuer also fulfil individual requirements for fall protection.
Load-bearing guardrails
The self-supporting roof railings can either be fixed in place using counterweights, or they can be integrated on green roofs in such a way that the greenery fixes the railing in position. As with the parapet railings, there is a very wide range of possible combinations of the individual railing components. This makes it possible to customise the railing system perfectly to your needs. As there is no need for assembly, these guardrails are also quick to assemble and dismantle.
Guardrail systems for use on escape and rescue routes
Railing systems can also be used to secure escape and rescue routes. An unsecured escape route on the roof can quickly become a risk factor in a hectic and panicked situation. With escape routes from SKB, people can easily reach safety even in hectic situations.
Guardrails for metal roofs
The metal roof railings made of aluminium are screwed directly to the roof and can therefore be used on sandwich or trapezoidal metal roofs, for example.
Guardrail regulations
According to TRBS 2121 (technical regulations for operational safety), collective protective measures have priority over individual protective measures. Side protection systems that are not attached to the parapet must not be used in frost and snow. Guardrail systems may also not be used when high wind forces occur that are above the normal level. There are also restrictions in terms of height: the installation site may be a maximum of 40 metres above the surrounding terrain and the roof may have a maximum pitch of 10°. A further distinction is made between guardrails in the technical rules for workplaces A2.1. A distinction is made here according to the type of construction.
Guardrail for fall protection with closed infill
With this version, the side panels are completely closed, ensuring the highest level of safety. This eliminates the risk of gaps forming.
Infill guardrail
For infill rod railings with vertical rods, the distance between individual rods must not exceed 0.18 metres. By specifying this minimum distance, the aim is again to minimise the gap and thus also the risk. Furthermore, the distance between the upper edge of the roof and the lower edge of the railing must not be greater than 0.18 metres.
Knee rail guardrail
Other requirements apply to knee railings, which are used particularly frequently. The distance between the handrail and knee rail, as well as the knee rail and toe board, must not exceed 0.5 metres. If the roof does not have a parapet, a skirting board is mandatory. The skirting board must have a minimum height of 0.05m.
The following applies to all guardrails on roofs:
- Should be designed to withstand the expected loads
- The railings must have a minimum height of 1.00m
- The upper edge must be able to withstand a horizontal load of at least 1kN/m.
There are many ways to ensure safety on a flat roof with guardrails. With the individual combination options, you can secure almost any roof. Choose from our range of certified and tested roof railings. Our products meet the highest quality standards, are made from high-quality aluminium and are tested in accordance with DIN EN 13374/A:2013. Get in touch with us now and let us advise you on the design of your fall protection system!
