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Freestanding Permanent Guardrail

FlexGuard Permanent is a free-standing guardrail that does not require drilling, special anchoring or penetration of the roof membrane.

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Secure your rooftop with our permanent freestanding roof railing

Our Permanent Freestanding Guardrail is an OSHA compliant, versatile, and long-lasting freestanding guardrail system that does not penetrate the roof membrane. Its modular design takes the complexity and high cost out of providing roof edge protection and safety to workers accessing the rooftop for maintenance and repair.

Permanent Roof Guardrail systems have a variety of options and features, so there’s no need to comprise when developing the perfect custom solution for protection from fall hazards.

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Permanent Railing System Options

Post Weight System

Post Weight System

Post Weight System uprights are supported with weighted bases. This kind of base has a small footprint making it easier to fit the railing in tighter spaces. Post weights don’t stick out into the walking area reducing trip hazards. This system does require return sections of railing to anchor it in place.

Counterbalance System

Counterbalance System

With the counterbalance system, the railing uprights are supported by spreading the weight out. This reduces the weight strain on the roof. The counterbalance system does not require return sections of railing to anchor it in place.

Infill Panels

Infill Panels

Infill panels act as a fence by attaching to the top and bottom rail of the system. Only approved materials can be attached to the system due to wind loading requirements. Custom chain link and picket options are also available.

Integrated Toeboard

Integrated Toeboard

The base of the system is designed to connect to an extruded aluminum toeboard. This component of the railing is needed when there is no parapet to protection objects from falling over the edge of the rooftop.

Installation

Installation

Flexible Lifeline Systems provides the level of service you require to install your system. Wether it’s turnkey installation services where an FLS crew installs the system completely, supervision of a workers you provide, or certification of the railing after it’s been installed, FLS is ready facilitate the installation of your system according to your specific needs.

Color

Color

The railing system come standard as galvanized metal. The system components can be powder coated in their entirety to any RAL color allowing the system to coordinate with the building color when needed.

Permanent Freestanding Guardrail Features

Non-penetrating

Protects both workers and your rooftop with a free-standing guardrail that does not require drilling, special anchoring or penetration of the roof membrane. Instead, the patented counter balance system locks the railing in place without the need to penetrate the roof. Padded kickboard fittings provide extra protection for the rooftop.

Easily Installed

The modular design and minimum components takes the complexity and high cost out of roof edge protection. No welding, bending, threading or special tools are required to complete a reliable and safe rooftop railing installation. Two people can install a 600 foot run in 8 hours, saving time and money.

Flexible

The railing system’s pre-fabricated design, utilizes lightweight modular counterweights allowing maximum flexibility on site. Guardrail sections can be taken down or added when needed.

Adaptable

Adaptable to almost all variations of flat roofs, split-level and low slope roofs whether they are circular, square, rectangular or multilevel. Adjustable uprights allow up to 11 degree raking from vertical movement.

Versatile

Can be used for walkway demarcation, open shaft and stairwells, fall protection around roof top equipment, stairwells, open elevator shaft fall protection, skylight fall protection, and other safety applications.

Durable

A maintenance-free reliable solution for roof edge protection. Components and fittings are galvanized to ASTM standards on all assemblies. These strong, rigid connections make this a corrosion resistant system which will last much longer than inferior powder coated systems with welded joints.

Freestanding Permanent Guardrail Projects

Takata Horizontal Lifeline Project

Karbach Brewery Case Study

How Do I Install Freestanding Guardrail? 

All that is required is some time and simple hand tools. There is no special training required to set up FlexGuard railing. Two people can typically install up to 300 linear feet of FlexGuard in an 8-hour day.

What colors are guardrail available in? 

FlexGuard railing comes standard with an anti-corrosive clear coating over a hot-dipped galvanized steel finish. FlexGuard can be painted or powder coated to match any building or aesthetic preference.

What Wind Speed Can Freestanding Guardrail withstand?

In its standard configuration, FLS FlexGuard can withstand a wind speed of up to 150 MPH. FlexGuard can also be engineered to withstand higher wind forces if necessary.

Can I Install Freestanding Guardrail on a Sloped Roof?

FlexGuard Railing can be installed on any type of flat roof with a slop of up to 3 degrees.

What roof surfaces can I use Freestanding Guardrail on?

FlexGuard offers several base options that allow it to be installed on a variety of roof surfaces including membrane, asphalt, concrete, metal, and standing seam. FlexGuard (freestanding guardrail) can be used on roofs with up to a 3 degree slope.

Is Freestanding Guardrail OSHA Compliant?

Yes, provided it is designed and tested to exceed local and national safety regulations, including the following OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.29, OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926.501, 29 CFR 1926.502, Canadian National Building Code 4.1.10.1(1)(e), 4.1.10.1(2), 4.1.10.1(4), Ontario Building Code Section 4.1.10.1(1)(b), 4.1.10.1(2), 4.1.10.1(4), HSG-33 Health & Safety in Roof Work, HSE Specialist Report No 15: 1988, HSE Sheet 21 “Working on Flat Roofs Protection Against Falls”, BS 6399: Part 2 1995 Wind Code, EU Directives & CDM Regulations, BGV A1: 2000, BGG 928 & BGR 184, Health, Safety & Welfare Regulation 13 “Falls or Falling Objects” 1992, NFE 85-003, EN ISO 14122: PT3, EN 1337.

What type of system would a guardrail be considered?

Guardrail would be classified as a passive fall protection system.

How thick does the railing on a guardrail need to be?

The exact thickness depends on material and jurisdiction you’re in. In general, OSHA mandates at least a 1/4″ thickness for the top rail and midrail of a guardrail system.  The most common guard railing material is 1.90” O.D. tubing or 1 ½” pipe.

Are guardrails passive fall protection?

Yes.

Is guardrail considered fall protection?

Yes, when properly designed to meet OSHA as well as other applicable codes such as IBC and ASCE 7.

What is an OSHA compliant guardrail?

In general, a guardrail must have a top rail, midrail, and uprights. Top Rail – 42″ +/-3″, mid rail – 21″, & can withstand a 200 lbs. point load or 50 lbs. per linear foot.  A toeboard should also be included if there is a risk associated with kicked objects falling on anyone below

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