In the course of continually increasing urbanisation and the related densification of built-up areas, increasing demands are also placed on the construction industry, especially in terms of safety during the erection of high-rise buildings. Against this background, fall protection systems for facades and roofs also play an increasingly important role.
Early inclusion of these safety measures in the architectural design and in the planning of buildings is essential, in order to avoid costly retrospective adaptations and to fulfil the applicable safety regulations.
However, implementing fall protection systems early in the design phase of a construction project not only serves to maximise the standards of safety, but it is also sometimes means reducing the actual financial outlay very significantly. In this article we examine the reasons why this early integration is essential, and how it tangibly contributes to increasing the efficiency and reducing the risks.
Why plan the fall protection system early on?
There’s always a plan at the start! Especially when it’s about the safety of employees! Particularly in the construction industry and in architecture, planning of fall protection systems for facades and roofs – in good time, of course – is a very significant activity because, after all, it comes down to saving lives in an emergency. And falls from height generally end in severe injuries or even death.
This brings us nicely to the next very important aspect: the legal requirements! And when it comes to workplace safety, these are rigorous. The penalties for non-compliance can be heavy. Early construction planning and the inclusion of experts in fall protection systems deals with all important aspects almost at a single blow. And all from a single source.
Below are the five most important reasons why, if possible, a fall protection system for facades and roofs should be considered during the actual construction planning of the building:
- Safety during the construction phase: On construction sites, falls represent one of the most frequent causes of accidents. The integration of fall protection systems such as guardrails, nets, lifeline and rail systems plus EAPs (single anchor points) early in the design phase ensures that these safety precautions are anchored in the construction plan from the outset, and are not just tacked on during the construction phase.
Not only does this prevent potential accidents, it also ensures that all safety requirements are fulfilled without additional effort or retrospective changes. Ultimately this increases safety, as well as helping to save money. Architects who can offer their clients these advantages from outside their specialist area are a step ahead of their competitors in terms of safety.
- Optimisation of the construction processes: However, early inclusion of a perfectly matching, professional fall protection system for facades and roofs also makes the entire construction process more effective, because expensive rectification tasks can be reduced to a minimum.
Retrospective modifications generally go together with a lot of additional time and significantly higher costs. In this way, delays during construction can also be minimised. Architects and planners can be certain that the safety requirements can be implemented from the very start, and this in turn makes a smooth and efficient construction phase possible.
- Long-term safety for maintenance, service and cleaning: It should also be remembered that fall protection systems are legally prescribed, not only during the construction phase, but also during operation of the building after it has been completed. This means that a permanent safety solution already integrated into the construction planning then functions as a fixed component of facades and roofs, so that they can be safely accessed, whether routinely or as the occasion arises.
The maintenance costs can thus also be reduced and PV systems on roofs, for example, can be kept in top condition. This optimises power generation because the systems can always be cleaned and serviced quickly. In addition, fall protection systems integrated into the architecture of a building from the outset are not perceived as disruptive in terms of aesthetics, visual appearance and functionality of the building structure.
- Compliance with legal requirements: Many countries have strict standards for fall protection systems – especially Austria and Germany. The early inclusion of a solid, certified safety solution on facades and roofs helps to comply with these regulations from the start, and to avoid legal consequences. This is particularly true for tasks performed at great heights, which is generally the case nowadays.
- Last but not least – cost-effectiveness: As already indicated above, early inclusion of the fall protection system for facades and roofs in the construction planning can significantly reduce the occurrence of unnecessary post-installations or constructional adaptations.
Two significant aspects in terms of costs, i.e. the material costs and the hours worked, can thus be positively and significantly influenced – not just for the fall protection system itself, but for the complete construction project. On top of this, potential construction delays, e.g. from retrospective installation of posts or single anchor points for the fall protection system, can thus be effectively reduced. And that is also reflected in the overall costs.
Practical details
The selection of the appropriate safety solution depends principally on the structure and design of the building. And here there is now an infinitely large bandwidth of solution options. In almost all cases, however, two solutions prove themselves – fall protection based either on a rail or on a lifeline system, such as TAURUS or AIO from INNOTECH, for example.
Both solutions are easily adaptable to very varied structures and substructures, and are therefore very flexible in terms of their areas of application. And both are ideal for regular and, in particular, safe maintenance tasks.
While the TAURUS rail system (HORIZONTAL, VERTIKAL or ALLROUND) is a robust solution for areas with a high user frequency and heavy loads, the AIO lifeline system (NON-PASSABLE, NON-PASSABLE-FACADE, PASSABLE, PASSABLE-FACADE or PASSABLE-OVERHEAD) can be optimally integrated into facade components and structures, so that it is barely visually perceptible.
Selection and implementation of fall protection systems with INNOTECH
When implementing construction projects, INNOTECH, in close collaboration with the architect, analyses all requirements and technical details relating to the actual scheme. These include the facade structure, the design of the roof, and the layout of the roof surface.
If necessary, INNOTECH also conducts site visits in order to exactly evaluate and record all details in situ. Based on this data, the optimally suited fall protection system is selected. Sometimes, this may be a combination of various solutions, or even a special solution. The material and time requirements are then calculated, and the overall costs for the fall protection system are worked out.
For the installation, INNOTECH works together exclusively with certified partner companies. In addition, INNOTECH supports architects through detailed consultancy sessions which allow seamless integration of the safety systems into the design planning.
Summary
Particularly in modern architecture and construction planning, early integration of fall protection systems is a major step. Not only does it provide immediate benefits in terms of worker safety during the construction phase, but on occasion it can also drastically reduce construction costs, and in the long term it also allows safe, problem-free maintenance and cleaning of facades and roofs.
This can also ensure that the building’s functionality is retained in every respect – lastingly. Furthermore, through early inclusion in the construction planning and a detailed project description, the fall protection system can also be seamlessly integrated into the building structure, so that the aesthetics of the building remain unimpaired.
Our guideline includes further information about construction planning with fall protection and the related requirements for architects.