There are many different types of permanent equipment that is installed on roof tops for window washing, suspended maintenance and fall protection including roof anchors, wall anchors, soffit anchors, davits, rigging sleeves, horizontal trolley's, monorail, gantry's and roof cars. With all the fancy equipment out there, nine times out of ten it is a simple roof anchor that gets the job done.
Different companies around the world use different styles of roof anchors each unique in their own way. The vertical HSS, known as the pier, are all pretty much the same but the actual tie-off or anchorage point can vary. Some companies utilize a swivel head u-bar that actually points horizontal (perpendicular) to the pier and can swivel, others have fixed "u-bars" or "eyelets" that point vertical such as in the pictures shown above. The material's used from pier, u-bar and hardware can vary in material from galvanized to stainless steel depending on the project specifications although stainless steel piers are not used very often due to cost.
These anchors are installed to accommodate three different styles of systems: fall protection, window washing, and suspended maintenance.
Fall Protection
Workers can utilize either individual anchor points, or a horizontal lifeline cable system to prevent them from falling (travel restraint) or save them from hitting the ground (fall arrest) in the event they do fall.
Window Washing
Window cleaners can utilize roof anchor points to suspend themselves adjacent to the building facade to perform window cleaning operations. This is commonly done a bosun's chair but is also performed on swing stages as well.
Suspended Maintenance
Companies performing facade maintenance such as brick restoration, window caulking or balcony repair can utilize roof anchors to suspend the platform that they work from.
Often the simplest approach is the best one. Window washing, suspended maintenance and fall protection systems are no exception.
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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