Unless you’re unaware, roofing edge protection is a type of equipment that is purely designed to protect human beings from falling from buildings. This classification of protection is commonly used in commercial and residential buildings. The set of equipment consists of a primary guard rail, a toe board, and a second intermediate rail.
In the present-day market, there are countless types of edge protection equipment available but each piece of equipment must be utilized according to certain regulations. Therefore, to help you get familiarised with the various types of edge protection classes and equipment, we have fabricated this easy to acknowledge guide that you can enjoy reading at any time.
The Various Classes Of Roof Edge Protection
All types of edge protection classes and equipment are subjected to certain types of standards so that they can meet the performance and safety goals to ensure the well-being of human beings. The requirements for each class are listed as below:
- Class A
Class A equipment is used for the protection of flat surfaces along with pitched-up roofs up to an angle of 10 degrees.
- Class B
Class B equipment is used for the protection of flat surfaces along with pitched-up roofs up to an angle of 30 degrees.
- Class C
Class C equipment is used for the protection of flat surfaces along with pitched-up roofs up to an angle of 60 degrees.
Some of the common roof protection equipment that you can find in the current market are mesh barrier systems, net barrier systems, tubular guardrail solutions, counterweight systems and screen protection systems. Each one of these protection systems has its own pros & cons, which is why it’s essential to know about each type before finally choosing the one for your usage.
Popular Roof Edge Protection Systems
- Mesh Barriers
These are usually regarded as Class A and B protection systems. They use a toe guard, a guardrail along a mesh infill. The overall result is a high-quality protection system that offers a respectable amount of safety. They’re also simple to install and look highly professional.
- Net Barriers
Generally used as fall arrest systems, they use safety nets to offer a high level of containment. The safety net spans across a length of almost ten meters.
- Tubular Guardrails
These protection systems include scaffold fittings and tubes. They help in providing a versatile solution because the scaffold can be constructed in various ways to suit the needs of the building premises including steelwork or fixing to walls. They are also regarded as Class A, B, and C protection systems for the roof.
- Self Climbing Screen Protection
Regarded as Class A protection systems, they use materials such as wood, mesh, sheeting, and netting for encasing the overall roof perimeter. The safety level is high but takes time to install.
