b'FEATUREtrafficislimited.WhererooftoptrafficWhere it is not desired or practicaldesigners and specifiers to consider this isrequired,theadverseeffectscanbeto install parapets or permanent guardaspectofroofsintheirinitialdesign minimized by selecting high-quality andrails,alternativedesignmeasurescanand help our industry achieve the goal durable materials. Evidence indicates thatbe implemented to provide fall protec- of zero construction fatalities from falls durable products may require less mainte- tion.Insertsforguardrailsinstalledfrom roofs.nance and repair over the life of the roof.intheinitialconstructioncanallowReprintedfromtheCanadianRoofing Where roof access is required for main- foreasyinstallationanddismantlingContractors Association website with statistical tenance of equipment, or in the case ofofguardrailsasrequiredandneedupdates from Roofing BC. vegetative roofs, the plantings, carefullynot detract from the aesthetics of the designed walkways and access points willbuildingdesign.StrategicallylocatedNotes:helprestricttraffictodesignatedareasanchor points allow for the securement and reduce the risk of falls. ofvariousfallprotectionmeasures,1. An added benefit of parapets is that Anticipating where roof traffic is likelyincludingfallarrestsystems,travelthey can significantly enhance the roofs to occur and providing for fall protectionrestraint systems and safety nets. wind uplift resistance.will substantially improve worker safety.Withtheproliferationofgreen2.DesigningRoofswithSafetyinMind, Wherever possible, roof access should beroofingsystems,accesstotheroofGKSaunders,BuildingResearch provided by interior staircases or ladderswill become increasingly necessary andEstablishment, 2004.through roof hatches. In the case of thefrequent. Although roof designers areThe opinions expressed herein are those oflatter,hatchesshouldbeinstalledwellnotcurrentlydirectlyaccountablefortheCRCANationalTechnicalCommittee. away from roof edges and be designedrooftopsafety,theycansignificantlyThisarticleiscirculatedforthepurposeofwithguardrails.Onlow-risebuildings,influencethelevelofriskofinjurybringing roofing information to the attention ofwhereinterioraccessisunavailable,fromfallsbydesigningroofswiththe reader. The data, commentary, opinions and permanentladdertie-offanchorsstra- safety in mind. 2It should be recognizedconclusions, ifany, are not intended to provide tegicallyplacedatperimeterscanallowthatthroughoutabuildingslifecycle,the reader with conclusive technical advice and ladders to be safely placed for mountingmany individuals will access the roof,the reader should not act only on the roofing and dismounting the roof. includingroofingworkers,buildinginformationcontainedinthisarticlewithout Parapet walls of sufficient height aremaintenancepersonnel,inspectors,seeking specific professional, engineering or archi-effective means for ensuring worker safetybuilding occupants and other construc- tecturaladvice.NeithertheCRCAnorany at roof perimeters. Roof designers shouldtion personnel. ofits officers, directors, members or employees specify parapet walls, wherever practical. 1 Rooftopsafetyshouldbetheassumes any responsibility for any ofthe roofing Alternatively, properly engineered, perma- responsibilityofallinvolvedintheinformation contained herein or the consequences nently fixed guard rails at roof edges candesign,buildandlong-termmainte- ofany interpretation which the reader may take provide effective fall protection. nanceoftheroof.Weappealtoallfrom such information. P rogressive& s ustainableb uildinge nveloPee ngineerings olutionsn ewC onstruCtion. r estoration. r e - roofing .d ePreCiationr ePorts. a nnuali nsPeCtions & M aintenanCeM anualsHIGH-RISE . CONDOMINIUM TOWNHOUSE . COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONAL . SINGLE FAMILYwww.aqua-coast.caTel: 604.946.9910 201-5155 Ladner Trunk Rd., Delta, BCV4K 1W418lROOFINGBC l SPRING 2020'