CeeD member, KR Group, have recently submitted their Class B Edge Protection designs for testing to confirm their compliance with EN 13374. As the only company North of Glasgow to hold the FASET Accreditation, KR Group (based in Newburgh) is excited and proud to have taken the next step forward with this.
Typically, Edge Protection is used for commercial and agricultural buildings during construction and maintenance works. It protects the roofers from falling from the roof edge during new sheeting works or maintenance.
EN 13374:2013+A1:2018 “Temporary edge protection systems – Product Specification – Test methods” is the Standard to which Edge Protection should be installed. It exists to ensure that those working at height are afforded the highest levels of fall protection.
At the centre of the guidance is the different class of roof. This is based on the slope of the working surface. The Standard requires classes B & C to withstand dynamic loads because a worker may slide or roll towards the edge protection and create high loads upon himself and the system.
This can only be proven by testing - not by calculation. Any roof with a slope greater than 10° will require this dynamic testing.
Rob Harris, Director of Harrigen Ltd says
“This is regularly overlooked by those placing orders for edge protection and those installing edge protection. The absence of this testing is potentially life-threatening to those working at height because there is no evidence the system will restrain the falling person upon impact. The requirement within the Standard is very clear. Put simply, to ensure a worker doesn’t fall through the edge protection because it’s not strong enough, it must be tested”.
The test involves swinging a 50kg bag at specified locations along a built edge protection system and measuring the relative deflection to establish sufficient energy absorption.
This is best carried out away from site, in a controlled environment, to ensure safety and accuracy.
Harris continues:
“So often we see double or triple rail systems installed by default. The employers of those sheeting the roof must first identify the class of roof (A, B or C). If it is between a 10° and 30° pitch, they must ensure that there are no gaps that a 250mm sphere can pass through and, crucially, provide evidence that the Edge Protection design has successfully passed the dynamic swing bag test. If this is not available, the installation doesn’t comply”.
Kenny Robertson, MD of KR Group added:
“We recognise the need to comply across all our Edge Protection installations. It is also a FASET membership requirement and something we are audited against. We have a safety commitment to all those who work for and with us. KR Group had numerous discussions with Harrigen about how best to achieve this and found them to be brilliant partners. The test was booked, they built our system, tested it, and provided us with evidence that we can proudly forward upon request.”