When designing a fall arrest system for your existing or newly designed building, please follow these basic requirements in the matrix below*.
Determine Your Building's Conditions: Determine Your Building's Requirements
| My building has parapet walls less than 42” = Requirement A |
A = Fall Restraint System or Horizontal Life Line |
| My building has a parapet wall over 12’ = Requirement C |
B = Dedicated Davit System |
| My building is in excess of 300’ in height = Requirement B |
C = Permanent Powered Platform or Roof Car** |
| My building is in excess 490’ in height = Requirement C |
D = Tieback Anchors (1 for main line & 1 for safety line) |
| My building is 3+ stories and is utilizing a descent system = Requirement D |
E = Cable Tube or Rigging Sleeve |
| My building has a mansard roof = Requirement E |
F = Rigging Sleeve or Monorail w/ Trolleys |
My building has a cantilevered slab/roof edge = Requirement E or F
|
G = Consultation w/ Bauwerk Safety Systems |
| My building has other fall hazards not pertaining to the roof = Requirement G |
H = OSHA is On Standby |
| My building has a an atrium = Requirement F |
|
| My building design wont allow for a permanent powered platform = Requirement G |
|
| The building owner does not want a suspended maintenance system = Requirement H |
|
*Due to building/labor codes in the states of NY and California, there are specific instances when permanent platforms are or can be considered mandatory.
**Buildings that are more than 300’ in height are required to utilize intermittent stabilization anchors. There may be conditions that these anchors can not be used, please call Bauwerk Safety Systems for more information.
A few things to remember:
No window cleaner shall attempt to clean any surface beyond his reach. Swinging, swaying or any other maneuver to increase the work area shall be prohibited. (IWCA I-14.1 standard, section 5.6.9)
From an economic standpoint, the objective is to use a conventional maintenance contractor supplied temporary platform whenever possible. However, there are specific instances when permanent platforms are or can be considered mandatory.
Intermittent stabilization anchors only work when a roof rigged stage can transverse over the edge of the roof and down the façade of the building. These anchors will not work with a ground rigged system.
Electrical Requirements:
Electrical power outlets are to be located at each roof level no more that 100’ from window cleaning/suspended equipment locations. The power requirements at designated outlets are to be capable of providing 208 volts, 3 phase, 60 Hertz, 30 amperes at each receptacle except for a permanent powered platform which requires 230 volts. The outlets should not experience more than 3% voltage drop under full load.
Building Conditions and Suspension Guide
A. Mansard Cable Tube
- Used for ground rigging non-permanent platform or work cage.
- Optional Equipment: L. Rigging Sleeve
B. Suspended Permanent Powered Platform, Roof Car, or BMU
- Refer to Primary Suspension Systems Guide for More Information
C. Horizontal Cable Life Line (HLL)
- For horizontal, sloped or vertical mobility over extended distances while working close to a vertical drop e.g. within 6’-0” of roof edge, skylight, or any high, narrow, level roof area or walkway not protected by a 42” high
guardrail.
- Optional Equipment: Horizontal Trolley Rail Lifeline
D. Roof Rigged Tilt Davit
- A davit used to raise the suspended working platform above the building face being serviced. The platform can also be rigged on the roof and then swung over the parapet, or rigged on the ground if desired. Normally
the davit arms are 7’-0”.
E. Primary Steel Suspension Cable
- Used to support primary suspension systems.
F. Stabilization Anchor
- Stabilization Anchors must be installed in buildings over 130’ (75’ in New York), with the first being no more
than 50’ from the top of the building. Vertical distance between anchors must be no more than 50’ or 3 floors
whichever is less.
G. Secondary Nylon Safety Rope
- Tied off to its own independent safety anchor.
H. Ground Rigged Davit
- A low portable davit designed to just clear the parapet. Preferred method of rigging with window cleaners. If using a platform, it can only be rigged on the ground i.e. cannot be rigged on the roof and then swung over
the parapet.
- Optional Equipment: Outrigger System
I. Safety Tieback Anchor
- Used as a secondary tie off for fall protection
- Refer to Primary Suspension Systems Guide for More Information
J. Rope Decent System (RDS) or Bosun’s Chair
- One of the most common and popular types of equipment employed for washing windows.
- Refer to Primary Suspension Systems Guide for More Information
K. Monorail System
- Monorail systems are often used to access difficult-to-reach or otherwise inaccessible exterior or interior glass areas.
- Typically a monorail system consists of an aluminum rail section which houses a traversing trolley.
- Monorails are normally used for platform work and single work cage; however, they are also ideal for bosun’s
chair or direct lanyard application. For platform, four trolleys are required (two for the primary suspension
and two for worker’s lifelines).
- Monorail systems are ideal for the underside of building overhangs, sloped glazing/ sky lighting, all types of
atrium glass, domes, and similar applications wherever continuous horizontal movement is required.
- Optional Equipment: L. Rigging Sleeve
L. Rigging Sleeve
- Rigging sleeves provide pathways through roofs, floors, and walls or other vertical elements for suspension lines
where access would otherwise be difficult, unsafe, or impossible.
- Workers access rigging sleeves located at upper levels via the roof, mechanical room floor, or soffit.
- Suspend lines are fed through the sleeves to the lower level to a ground rigged platform. Available in many model
variations, rigging sleeves are designed to satisfy virtually any access requirement.
- Optional Equipment: K. Monorail System
M. Non-Permanent Suspended Platform or Work Cage
- Refer to Primary Suspension Systems Guide for More Information
