Architecture & Rooftop

Rigid Lifelines is proficient in the manufacturing and engineering of architecture and rooftop rigid horizontal fall protection.

Problem

Any worker who must access the framework or rooftop of a building as part of their job is at risk of falling. Individuals that wash windows, repair or replace roofing, or maintenance rooftop HVAC systems require fall arrest or fall restraint systems to keep them secure. Every architecture or rooftop application is unique. Buildings can be defined as commercial, agricultural, religious, or industrial, and the type of building typically translates into a specific framework. Rooftops vary in construction but are characterized by their pitch, the angle at which the roof is sloped. Framework and rooftop applications are made more hazardous by wet weather and cold climate conditions. Rigid Lifelines engineers horizontal overhead rigid track fall arrest systems for building framework and rooftop applications. We also engineer side mounted rigid fall restraint systems for rooftop applications.

Possible Solution

Building Framework Fall Protection Systems

Window washing is the most common reason workers access the outside framework of buildings, but tasks like gutter cleaning, painting, decoration, banner hanging, and general maintenance are also applicable. A Rigid Lifelines Building Framework Fall Protection System incorporates our enclosed rigid track into the building framework. Our systems cannot accommodate certain types of frameworks. In order for the track to be utilized, there must be access to an overhead mounting point. If the application can accommodate mounting, the track can easily be mounted, providing a secure fall protection coverage path. Multiple tracks can also be mounted to allow workers to walk past one another without unhooking. Our track can also be painted to match your existing building paint color. Rigid building framework systems are sought after by workers because they don’t deflect downward in the event of a fall, meaning free falls of only a few inches and enabled self-rescue. This is reassuring to workers that are several stories from ground level. If you have a building framework fall protection need, please contact the Rigid Lifelines sales department for more information and consultation.

Possible Solution

Fall Restraint Systems

Jobs that require access to rooftops typically involve visual inspection or a maintenance repair task. Many times workers that walk on rooftops never have a need to get over the edge of the building, but the slope of the rooftop and weather conditions create hazards. In these types of applications where the worker doesn’t need to climb over the edge, but is in danger of reaching it accidentally, a system is required that will allow a full range of roof access, yet restrict the worker’s center of gravity from going over the roof edge. Rigid Lifelines Fall Restraint Systems provide this solution. In flat rooftop applications, our side mounted rigid track systems, in coordination with our side mounted rolling trolley, allow for a worker to hook up with a lanyard and have freedom to walk at a predetermined distance from the edge. The enclosed track allows for effortless movement and the trolley moves with the worker as they walk. Systems like this can cover one side of a building or utilize curves to a minimum radius of 24” at the ends to cover multiple sides, or the entire rooftop. Our track is typically mounted to raised posts and because our track doesn’t require anchor points like cable systems, there is no concern of hang-ups while trying to get the job done. Our track can be painted to match your rooftop color if aesthetics are a concern. Rigid Lifelines systems can also be adapted to pitched rooftops. In these applications our track is mounted to the roof pitch in a single or mirrored configuration providing fall restraint on one or both sides of the rooftop. It is important to remember that ANSI Z359.3 states that fall restraint systems only can be used in areas with a slope between 0 and 18.4 degrees. Any slope beyond this range requires a fall arrest system. If you have a building rooftop fall protection need, please contact the Rigid Lifelines sales department for more information and consultation. Learn More »

NOTE: If the possible solutions mentioned on this page don’t fit the vision for your application, please browse our full product line here, or please call Rigid Lifelines sales for more information on how we can help engineer a solution for your specific fall protection application.