Definition of DIN 4426
DIN 4426, known as ‘Facilities for the maintenance of structures - Safety requirements for workplaces and traffic routes - Planning and execution’, is a standard in the construction industry that was developed by the DIN Standards Committee for Construction (NABau). It focuses on the definition of comprehensive requirements and guidelines for the planning and realisation of fall protection in buildings.
DIN 4426 serves as a key tool for construction, occupational safety and building maintenance specialists. It ensures that structural installations meet the necessary safety standards and that the health and safety of the people working there are protected. It therefore helps to reduce the risk of accidents and promotes strict compliance with safety standards in construction facilities.
The standard applies in the following scenarios
- In the construction and modification of buildings for which the planning and realisation was started after the entry into force of this standard.
- In the design and construction of permanently installed workstations, walkways and other devices on roofs and on facades, windows and glass surfaces of buildings used for inspection and maintenance work.
- On permanently installed devices on façades that are used to attach equipment for temporary workstations, such as façade scaffolding and mast climbing platforms, which are used during maintenance work.
- This standard became effective from its introduction in January 2017 and therefore applies to all relevant construction projects and installations commenced after this date.
Important regulations for various areas in accordance with DIN 4426
DIN 4426 provides safety-relevant specifications for various areas of application:
Workplaces and routes
- They must be securely anchored, except for temporary maintenance work in specific circumstances.
- Consideration of ergonomic factors and compliance with specified lighting conditions are important.
Devices for protection against falling
- Technical measures such as guardrails are preferable to individual approaches such as personal safety systems.
- Permanently installed protective systems such as anchorage devices require structural load transfer and regular inspections.
Flat roofs
- Folding equipment or permanently installed railings are recommended.
- Additional safety measures can be taken in the form of underlay sheets with sufficient strength
Roof surfaces
- Before roof surfaces may be accessed, proof of fall-through safety must be provided. Alternatively, the roof surfaces must be based on stable supports such as formwork in accordance with the applicable technical standards.
- For roofs with a batten structure, specific requirements apply to the roof battens.
- Skylight domes and continuous rooflights require special safety precautions against falling and falling through, such as fall-through-proof glazing.
Pitched roofs
- Guardrails cannot be used on steeply pitched roofs.
- Instead, safety roof hooks or innovative ridge rail systems can be used, depending on the building geometry and the planned work.
- Special requirements for structural load transfer must be taken into account.
Photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems and green roofs
- DIN 4426 contains regulations on the planning and installation of these systems, including accessibility for maintenance and cleaning.
- The use of permanent fall protection systems is strongly recommended as they facilitate maintenance over the entire service life of these systems.
Conclusion
DIN 4426 is an indispensable basis for the planning of buildings and should be carefully considered by every architect and planner. It emphasizes the importance of occupational health and safety in the early planning phase of a construction project, as stipulated by the Construction Site Ordinance. Thorough and well-thought-out planning, which takes safety-related aspects into account from the outset, helps to ensure that work during construction, renovation, maintenance and dismantling is safer and the risk of accidents is significantly minimized. In this way, many potential accidents can be avoided from the outset, ultimately ensuring the safety and well-being of employees in the workplace.
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