Free-standing roof-edge guardrail

What it is

The WS-MH-400 free-standing guardrail protects the edges of flat roofs, roof plant areas and walkways to equipment without penetrating the roof. Each stanchion sits on a steel base arm that lies on the roof surface, braced by an inclined strut and held by counterweights; protective pads stop the base from damaging the membrane.

It is typically added to roof platforms and catwalks, logistics and industrial roofs with HVAC and solar plant, and to existing buildings where a parapet is too low.

Types and options

Design and compliance

A free-standing guardrail resists the barrier load by counterweight and friction rather than by fixings, so the number of weights, the arm length and the stability are checked for the code load, the roof slope and the roof surface. Permanent installations follow AS 1657 in Australia, EN ISO 14122-3 in Europe and OSHA 1910.29 in the US; the roof’s capacity for the counterweights is confirmed with the building engineer.

In wind-exposed and cyclonic regions additional ballast or a fixed system may be required; World Steel advises per project.

Installation and selection

• Place the base arms with their protective pads at the set spacing from the roof edge.
• Fit stanchions, struts and rails, then place the counterweights.
• Check the run for stability and alignment, and fit gates at access points.
• Specify roof type, edge height, wind region and the plant to be accessed.

Fabrication and finishing at World Steel

Every WS modular handrail component is made in the World Steel plant in Vietnam: tube and bar are cut on saws to the component schedule, stanchions are welded to base plates, brackets or socket spigots on jigs so that rail heights repeat exactly, and fittings are fabricated from heavy-wall tube and plate, drilled and tapped for their locking screws. Welding follows qualified procedures under ISO 3834-2 and the AS/NZS 5131 and EN 1090-2 systems our certifications cover.

Components are then hot-dip galvanized as single pieces – which is only possible because the system is modular – giving full internal and external zinc coverage with no site welds to repair afterwards. A safety-yellow or architectural topcoat can follow. Parts are marked with their WS code, bagged by type and packed by area for export shipping, together with the structural steel or on their own.