Fall protection should be designed and engineered to protect multiple workers. To do this, the anchor post AND the fixing background must be strong enough to protect multiple workers in a fall arrest situation. Roof anchors are installed using one of two methods, structurally and to the roof surface.
Anchors that are fixed to the structural frame work are called structural anchors. These can be single user purlin fixed eyebolts or steel posts fitted to the major structural framework or concrete. Eurosafe prefer to use steel posts fitted major structural beams over single user purlin eyebolts, this is to ensure the safety for multiple workers and the roof system will not be damaged in the event of a fall. Our systems are always designed for a minimum of 2 users and as purlin eyebolts are only tested for single users we will not use them.
We recently installed structural anchors and a Latchways ManSafe static line at St Georges College in Adelaide.
Anchors fixed to the roof surface are called surface mount or top fix anchors. Surface mount anchors are effective for fast installation, eliminating waterproofing and complying with Section J of the Building Code of Australia. However, their ability of controlling the loads in the event of a fall MUST be considered. With the advances in roof safety, lead by Latchways and the Constant Force post surface anchor in 2001, the current standard AS/NZS1891 does take into account the total roof build up and the testing of surface mount anchors.
The Constant Force post is tested on fully built roofs using the manufacturer's installation specification. This level of testing exceeds the Australian Standard and more importantly, allows us to provide a roof safety system that we know will work in the event of fall from the roof.
Eurosafe Solutions installed the Latchways Constant Force post at Encounter Lutheran School in South Australia.
For more details about these projects and anchors please refer to the Education section on the Projects and History page.
http://www.eurosafesolutions.com/au/projects-and-history/education.html
