How to plan safe access to a roof

At the outset, draw up a list of elements requiring servicing. These may include a chimney, vent, antenna, technical equipment or installation connections. Determine whether access is needed only for inspection or also for space for tools and carrying out a repair. The layout of the access route and the size of the working position depend on this.

The route should take future servicing into account, not only the initial installation. A device can be easily placed on the roof using a lift, but later it may require frequent inspections. It is worth resolving access together with its location. Accidental displacement of the device can lengthen the access route and increase the number of crossings over the covering.

A roof hatch or other access solution should lead to the planned route. Its position, the possibility of convenient exit and the proximity of obstacles are important. It should not be assumed that every roof window is a technical hatch. The function and manner of use must follow from the documentation of the given element.

For access from outside, the stable positioning of equipment and the transition onto the roof slope must be assessed. The gutter is not a handrail or a support for a person. Temporary access during construction may differ from later servicing. Both cases should be described so that the finished roof does not require improvisation each time.

Steps and walkways should form a continuous run enabling access without standing on flashings and random sections of the sheet. The pitch, windows, roof valleys and differences in level must be taken into account. The shortest line does not always give the most convenient solution. The ability to maintain a stable position while moving is important.

Where there are more servicing points, a shared route should be considered. However, its length should not be increased unnecessarily. Every fixing is an additional detail requiring correct execution. The layout should provide access where it is needed and limit intervention in the remaining part of the covering.

Access elements must match the profile and fixing system. A bracket for tile-effect metal roofing is not automatically suitable for a T35 trapezoidal steel sheet or for a sandwich panel. The support and the way forces are transferred must be checked. Simply screwing into the visible cladding may not provide the required load-bearing capacity.

Before installing the covering, it is worth preparing additional structural elements if the instructions provide for them. This makes it easier to maintain the correct position of the fasteners and to seal the openings. With an existing roof, it may be necessary to expose the supports. This stage should not be replaced by a larger number of random screws.

Roof access systems and anchoring devices may have different functions. Not every platform is suitable for attaching protective equipment. Such use must be confirmed by documentation and appropriate installation. Otherwise, a separate solution is needed, selected for the intended way of carrying out the work.

Protection also includes a plan for movement and for action in the event of an accident. It is not limited to buying a harness. The person organising the work should take into account the height, the free space and the condition of the roof. When selecting, use should be made of the competence of the work-at-height contractor and the documentation of the devices used.

Wet, frosted or icy sheet metal can be very slippery. Even correctly installed steps do not eliminate all hazards. Strong wind makes it difficult to maintain balance and to carry tools. The inspection date should allow the work to be carried out safely, and not result solely from the availability of the team.

Before stepping on, the condition of the accessories and their fixings must be assessed. A loose platform, corrosion or deformation require clarification. Their load-bearing capacity should not be tested by loading them with one’s own body. If damage is suspected, another means of access for inspection is needed and the method of repair must be determined.

In the documentation, it is worth indicating the purpose of the route, the elements used and their fixing points. Photographs before the supports are covered will facilitate later inspection. The person using the roof should know which elements are for walking on and which may serve as protection. This should not be left to be determined on site.

After changing the equipment or the roof layout, check that the access is up to date. Adding installations may block the existing access. The access plan should be updated together with such a change. This means that later servicing will not require navigating around obstacles over parts of the roof slope not intended for that purpose.