More and more everyday, governments, corporations and individuals are making more of an effort to 'go green' and reduce their carbon footprint. The construction industry is no exception; in fact it has set an outstanding example.
Projects are now Leed certified, buildings use geothermal heating, solar panels collect power from the sun, rain water is collected for re-use, construction materials are made from recycled content, low flow plumbing is installed, sunshades help control building temperature, and green roofs are installed. Just to name a few.
Green roofs in particular possess a multitude of advantages. They keep buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, extend the life of the roof, provide architectural aesthetic, produce oxygen, maximize building square footage, retain storm water, create a wildlife habitat and much more. Some governments are actually mandating that green roofs are incorporated into new construction projects (Toronto, Ontario: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2009/27/c8082.html).
Very often now, there are green roof systems being installed on highrise roof tops in tandem with window washing, suspended maintenance and fall protection systems. Here in lies the challenge.
Fall Protection Systems
Green roof systems typically span to the edge of the roof against some sort of parapet wall. As all areas of the green roof will require some form of regular maintenance, it is crucial to consider if workers at the green roof edge are in a fall hazard situation. A good rule of thumb is: if the worker is within six feet or the roof edge and the parapet is less than guardrail height (36"), the worker should be utilizing some form of fall protection. The fall protection is commonly a horizontal lifeline cable system that spans the perimeter of the roof allowing the worker to easily walk anywhere at the roof edge and be tied off.
Window Washing and Suspended Maintenance Systems
The concern with these types of roof anchor systems is not with the functionality of the anchoring system. It's with damaging the green roof. When window washers or swing stage workers rig a building, they may need (depending on the roof anchor design), to walk all over the green roof. Having workers walk all over the green roof space may not seem potentially damaging, but take into consideration the tools and equipment they will be carrying around with them: outrigger beams, ropes, swingstages, davit arms, scaffolding etc...
A window washing manufacturer should always be consulted in the design phase of the project, this is ever more so important on projects with green roofs. The layout of the roof top must reflect the logistics of the window washing system to minimize wear and tear on the roof. This can be commonly achieved with strategically placed pavers and walkways.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Michael Gray
Marketing and Sales Support
Ontario and Eastern Canada
Pro-Bel Enterprises Ltd
e: mikegray@pro-bel.ca
t: @Pro_Bel
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