The best roof safety systems are the result of carefully comparing each design element with the intended application. While many fall protection requirements can and have been fulfilled using steel and other metals, these materials also carry limitations that are increasingly being surpassed using fiberglass alternatives.
This is why the materials used in rooftop safety matter just as much as the equipment's design and construction. It’s also why fiberglass fall protection equipment, particularly fiberglass gates and guardrails, present many new advantages for safety managers and industrial technicians tasked with balancing innumerable safety regulations and work site considerations.
By emphasizing versatility in every design consideration, you'll secure the widest possible range of fall protection requirements both now and in the future. Here, we'll explore the material options available to achieve optimal fall protection for specialized and standard applications.
In addition to basic fall safety compliance, many industries must take additional steps to secure their facilities and workforces from less common risks. These include:
Extreme temperatures, as in refineries or very hot or cold climates
Risk of electrocution, such as in power plants or facilities using extremely high-voltage equipment
Environments with electromagnetically-sensitive devices, including satellites and antennas
Elevated platforms or structures with low weight capacities
As effective as steel is in many fall protection applications, it may be unsuitable for dealing with these potential hazards. Contrasting its enormous tensile strength is its high conductivity of both heat and electricity, not to mention excessive weight.
Fiberglass fall protection is becoming an increasingly preferred alternative to steel rooftop safety equipment, and its advantages aren't limited to unique work environments. Compared to almost any other viable material, fiberglass carries a range of unparalleled advantages:
Much higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel (especially lengthwise along the fibers)
Reduced weight on the supporting structure
Greater flexibility, for improved load bearing and impact resistance
Easier to form into complex shapes
Does not conduct electricity
Resists fire, UV, and most types of corrosion
Won't interfere with RF-sensitive equipment
Less thermally conductive, preventing risk of burns in the heat and freezing in the winter
Additionally, producing fiberglass is less resource-intensive than steel, making it a more environmentally friendly option that's compatible with many LEED construction standards.
While you must always consult your local, OSHA, or CCOHS regulations, precision-engineered fiberglass gates and guardrails often fulfill the widest range of compliance requirements without introducing drawbacks of their own. The result is safer and more comfortable workforces, along with greater facility protection and longer-lasting equipment.
Aluminum isn't always the first choice in fall protection equipment, but it does carry benefits worth considering, especially compared to steel:
Lighter weight
Reduced thermal and electrical conductivity
Less electromagnetically reactive
Easier to form into complex shapes
Greater corrosion resistance
Can eliminate the need to paint or finish the materials
Of course, the benefits of aluminum generally pale in comparison to fiberglass, which not only amplifies many of the same advantages, but adds additional benefits of its own.
Steel rooftop safety equipment can be effective in a broad range of applications, including guardrails, safety gates, and skylight covers. However, this must be contrasted with steel's shorter service life and typically faster corrosion.
For extreme durability, custom steel components may be preferable, assuming a major increase in weight is acceptable. That's also assuming it's worth steel's unstable market price, which can easily exceed the costs of fiberglass (the latter being much more affordable to ship, due to its lighter weight).
You're also locked into steel fall protection barriers for the equipment's lifespan. This is acceptable when you're 100% certain your steel equipment won't deviate from its intended design purpose; however, the very best roof safety systems are just as versatile as they are effective.
Thus, many companies are placing greater emphasis on modularity and improved materials, even without specialized requirements.
Technology is constantly changing, and as safety managers know, fall protection equipment must function alongside a wide range of other technologies that are always subject to innovation. Thus, it's important to plant your stake on what's most likely to endure, beyond just meeting present obligations.
There's no telling if your facility (or neighboring facilities) may install powerful RF equipment, for example. For another, what if your rooftop HVAC equipment introduces shock hazards, whether due to malfunction or higher-powered upgrades? There are many reasons companies are taking stock of their current rooftop safety needs while accommodating new, unforeseen circumstances.
Before settling on any given guardrail or safety gate, expand your search and compare all material options available. While material considerations have largely been overlooked, it's now an indispensable aspect of modern fall safety technologies as the limitations of steel and aluminum give way to greater alternatives.
The most innovative fall safety equipment is not the result of meeting current compliance requirements; rather, it depends on continually improving any given design factor when possible. Fiberglass advances the utility of fall protection systems with an impressive range of qualities – and these benefits are already available.
All the more, fiberglass equipment is achieving more competitive pricing, especially as steel and aluminum markets remain somewhat turbulent. When it comes to fall protection equipment, industrial technicians and safety managers can now make their selection with greater emphasis on the materials' functional benefits.
Fiberglass gates and guardrails are now a fully realized option that fulfill a wide range of specialty and standard fall protection requirements. BlueWater is continually advancing fall safety technologies across the broadest range of industries. We specialize in modular edge protection and safety gates, designed to support your workforce while supporting operations well beyond the basic standards.
Contact us today to learn more about our advanced fiberglass fall protection solutions. Our experienced fall safety engineers work closely with each client, and we look forward to helping you determine the best roof safety systems for your current and future needs.
