Useful information about collective protection

What is collective protection and how does it protect people against falls?

Collective protection comprises technical safety measures that protect several people simultaneously against falls from height or through fragile surfaces. These include safety guardrails, edge protection systems and safety nets for rooflights and continuous rooflights. Unlike personal fall protection equipment, individual users do not need to actively secure themselves using a fall arrest harness and lanyard.

SKYLOTEC collective protection systems are primarily used on flat roofs, sheet metal roofs, green roofs, parapets and technical building areas. They create permanently protected access and work areas and also allow people without specific personal fall protection training to enter protected areas safely.

What advantages does collective protection offer over personal fall protection?

Collective protection functions independently of the behaviour of individual users. Once a safety guardrail or fall-through protection system has been installed correctly, the system protects everyone within the secured area. Correctly putting on a fall arrest harness, lanyard or retractable fall arrester is not required.

This significantly reduces the risk of user error. In many areas, it also eliminates repetitive tasks such as connecting, reconnecting and checking personal safety systems. Collective protection is therefore often the safer and more economical solution, particularly on roof areas that are accessed regularly, during frequent maintenance work or where different groups of people are involved.

When is a safety guardrail more suitable than single anchor points or cable systems?

A safety guardrail is particularly useful when roof areas are accessed regularly or when many different people move within areas exposed to fall hazards. Typical examples include maintenance routes to ventilation systems, solar installations, technical rooftop equipment, rooflights or drainage systems.

Single anchor points and horizontal cable systems may be economical for infrequent or clearly limited work. However, they require every user to wear suitable personal fall protection equipment, to be trained and to secure themselves correctly. A collective protection system reduces this dependence on individual behaviour and usually enables smoother work processes on the roof.

Which collective protection solutions does SKYLOTEC offer for flat roofs?

For flat roofs, SKYLOTEC offers different versions of the SECU® RAIL 2.0 aluminium guardrail system. Depending on the roof construction, the system can be counterweighted and installed without penetrating the roof waterproofing or permanently connected to the load-bearing roof structure.

Counterweighted versions use add-on weights to provide the required stability. This leaves the roof waterproofing largely unaffected. Permanently mounted versions, by contrast, are suitable for projects where permanent anchoring in the substructure is planned. The more suitable solution depends on the roof construction, load-bearing capacity, available space and structural planning.

What advantages do counterweighted guardrail systems without roof penetration offer?

Counterweighted guardrail systems are not fixed through the roof waterproofing into the supporting structure. Instead, weights and the geometry of the system provide the necessary stability. This avoids potential weak points caused by drilling or roof penetrations.

This design is particularly suitable for existing flat roofs where fall protection is to be retrofitted. The load-bearing capacity, roof pitch, friction values, edge distances and available installation area must nevertheless be considered. A counterweighted system is therefore not automatically suitable for every roof and must be planned specifically for the project.

When is a permanently mounted safety guardrail the better solution?

Permanently mounted guardrail systems are connected directly to concrete, steel, a parapet or another load-bearing substructure. They are particularly suitable for new buildings, permanently used roof areas and locations where little space is available for counterweights.

Compared with counterweighted systems, permanently mounted versions often require less installation space. However, the fixing and waterproofing place greater demands on planning and installation. The fasteners, substrate and connection details must be precisely coordinated so that both the fall protection system and the roof waterproofing continue to function over the long term.

Which guardrail systems are suitable for sheet metal roofs?

Depending on the profile, material thickness and substructure, sheet metal roofs have particular fixing requirements. Standard solutions for concrete or flat roofs cannot therefore be transferred without technical approval. Sheet metal roofs require specially adapted posts, installation sets and connectors.

SKYLOTEC offers SECU® RAIL 2.0 versions for sheet metal roofs with and without toe boards. The posts are attached to the intended roof system using suitable installation sets. Before planning, the profile geometry, sheet thickness, substructure and the roof system manufacturer’s specifications must be checked.

Which collective protection systems are suitable for green roofs?

On green roofs, the collective protection system must be integrated into the complete layer structure comprising waterproofing, protective layer, drainage, substrate and vegetation. The guardrail system must not impair the function of the roof construction and must remain permanently stable despite changing moisture levels and vegetation maintenance.

SECU® RAIL 2.0 is available in special versions for green roofs. These systems can be installed without penetrating the roof waterproofing and combined with posts and installation sets adapted to the roof construction. Their positioning should be considered during roof planning so that maintenance routes and planted areas remain sensibly separated.

When is a guardrail attached to or on top of a parapet?

A parapet offers various options for attaching a safety guardrail. The system can be mounted to the side of the parapet, directly on top of it or concealed beneath a wall coping. The appropriate version depends on the construction, load-bearing capacity, waterproofing and desired appearance.

Side mounting requires little roof space and can increase the usable access area. Mounting on top of the parapet can be implemented particularly directly when the construction has sufficient load-bearing capacity. Concealed fixings beneath a wall coping allow discreet visual integration but place high demands on detailed planning and waterproofing.

What advantages do inclined safety guardrails offer?

Inclined guardrail systems are angled towards the roof surface and are therefore often less visible from the building façade. They are suitable for projects where both fall protection and the architectural appearance of the building need to be considered.

Non-inclined systems, by contrast, provide a straight construction and may be easier to implement where space is limited or for certain installation methods. The choice between an inclined and vertical design should be based on the protective function, roof geometry, space requirements and architectural considerations.

When is a toe board required on a safety guardrail?

A toe board prevents tools, materials or other objects from falling from the roof beneath the guardrail. It may be required where access routes, entrances, workplaces or other areas at risk are located below the work area.

SKYLOTEC offers numerous SECU® RAIL 2.0 versions with integrated toe boards. Whether a toe board is required is determined by the risk assessment, structural conditions and applicable regulations. It does not replace the additional securing of tools where a risk of falling objects remains.

How are access points within a collective protection system made safe?

Openings and access points within a guardrail system must not impair its continuous protective function. Permanently open passageways can create unprotected areas and should therefore be avoided.

Self-closing gates such as the SECU® RAIL 2.0 DOOR automatically close the access point after someone has passed through. Depending on the guardrail version, suitable gates are available for counterweighted systems, sheet metal roofs and versions with toe boards. The gate, posts and guardrail layout must be planned as one integrated system.

How can guardrail heights be adapted to different structural situations?

Parapets, rooftop structures and different installation levels can mean that the standard height of a guardrail is insufficient. In such cases, the effective protective height above the walkable surface must be checked and adjusted where necessary.

The SECU® RAIL 2.0 EXTENSION allows posts to be extended by up to 500 millimetres. However, an extension must not be used indiscriminately. The structural design, wind load, post spacing and permitted system configuration must continue to comply with the manufacturer’s specifications and the project planning.

How are rooflights and continuous rooflights protected against falls through them?

Despite their closed surface, rooflights and continuous rooflights must not automatically be considered resistant to falls through them. Ageing, weathering and material properties can result in people falling through the transparent surface when it is subjected to a load.

Fall-through protection systems such as SECU® NET STAINLESS STEEL or SECU® NET PLASTIC protect rooflights and continuous rooflights using a permanently installed safety net. Stainless steel versions offer high robustness and corrosion resistance, while plastic systems can provide a lighter alternative depending on the application. The size, fixing method and system approval must be suitable for the respective rooflight.

What advantages do safety nets offer over complete enclosure?

Safety nets protect the area at risk of fall-through directly without necessarily requiring a large access area to be separated by guardrails. This allows individual rooflights or continuous rooflights to be protected specifically.

A guardrail around the rooflight may, by contrast, be useful where additional distance from the hazardous area is required or several people regularly work in the immediate vicinity. The more suitable solution depends on roof use, distances, maintenance routes and the construction of the rooflight.

Which standards apply to collective protection and safety guardrails?

EN 13374 is particularly relevant to temporary edge protection systems. It distinguishes between different classes according to roof pitch and potential dynamic loading. ISO 14122-3 may also be relevant to permanent access to machinery and industrial installations.

The standard applicable to a specific project depends on the use of the building, installation location, roof pitch and intended duration of the installation. The SKYLOTEC range includes systems in accordance with EN 13374:2019 and ISO 14122-3:2016. However, the standard must always be checked in conjunction with the specific product version and intended use.

Why must a collective protection system be planned specifically for each project?

A safety guardrail consists of posts, handrails, intermediate rails, corner connectors, gates, end closures and, depending on the application, toe boards or weights. Safe operation depends on the complete system and its correct arrangement.

The roof geometry, fall edges, access points, maintenance routes, parapets, rooftop structures, wind loads and drainage routes must be considered during planning. Adequate distances from rooflights, technical installations and roof edges are equally important. Individual components must not be combined without tested system planning.

How is a safety guardrail installed correctly?

Installation depends on the respective SECU® RAIL 2.0 version. Counterweighted systems require correctly positioned weights and defined post spacing. Permanently mounted systems are attached to concrete, sheet metal roofs or parapets using approved fasteners.

Posts must be aligned vertically and in a straight line, handrails securely connected and end sections fully closed. Suitable waterproofing measures are also required where penetrations are created. Installation should be carried out by qualified specialists and documented in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

How are collective protection systems inspected and maintained?

Collective protection systems should be checked regularly for loose connections, corrosion, deformation, missing components and changes to the roof construction. Particularly after alterations, exceptional loads or work by other trades, it must be checked whether the guardrail system remains complete and stable.

Self-closing gates must close reliably, all counterweights must be present and safety nets must be free from damage. Inspection intervals and documentation are determined by the manufacturer’s instructions, risk assessment and company requirements. Damaged components may only be replaced using approved system parts.

How do you choose the right collective protection system?

The selection begins by identifying the hazardous area that needs to be protected. A SECU® RAIL 2.0 guardrail system is suitable for roof edges, while rooflights and continuous rooflights can be protected against falls through them using SECU® NET. The roof type, fixing substrate, roof pitch, parapet situation and any required toe boards must then be assessed.

A counterweighted solution without roof penetration may be appropriate for existing flat roofs. Specially adapted system versions are required for sheet metal or green roofs. Where space is limited, parapet or roof slab fixings may offer advantages. The final selection should be based on a risk assessment and project-specific planning.