Why Choose Wall-Mounted Guardrail?
Protecting your people is the top priority. Throughout your rooftop there may be areas that need protectionbut can’t necessarily fit non-penetrating guardrail. To solve this problem, wall-mounted guardrail can provide the same protection that will better fit your space, and possibly budget.
Why Choose a Wall-Mounted Guardrail?
So, let’s start with why someone may choose to go with a wall-mounted system over a non-penetrating system.
Rooftop Space
A primary reason someone would choose a wall-mounted system is because of the space, or lack thereof, on their rooftop.
A non-penetrating system requires space for the counterbalance weights. These weights do what their title says to support the guardrail and anyone who would be utilizing the railing.
Because of this, there usually needs to be greater than 4-feet of space between the edge of the roof and where the guardrail would be placed.
Parapet Walls
Another reason someone would choose a wall-mounted system is that they already have parapet walls around their roof edge.
A parapet wall makes the perfect spot to mount a guardrail and provides multiple mounting options. Parapet wall guardrail additionally saves on space so you can check both these boxes.
Budget Constraints
Now, let me preface this part by saying that you can’t put a price on a human life. However, we are not naïve to the fact that budget and cost play a factor in fall protection projects.
That being said, a wall-mounted system requires less materials, therefore making the overall cost less than a non-penetrating system.
However, this shouldn’t be a key factor when looking to install rooftop guardrail. As mentioned, protecting your people is the top priority.
Different Ways to Wall-Mount Guardrail
With a wall-mounted system, there isn’t a “one size fits all” or one style that gets installed everywhere. There are a handful of different ways you can mount to the wall of your rooftop.
Top Mounted Guardrail
The top-mounted guardrail typically mounts to the top of a parapet wall as you don’t want to be installing this directly into the roof of your building. This includes a standard flange and utilizes an inline guardrail style that keeps the horizontal rails in between the posts.
Side Mounted Offset Guardrail
The side-mounted offset guardrail attaches to the face of a parapet wall. The offset railing base will set your post back 1-2 inches, allowing you to navigate the guardrail over small obstacles like overhanging stone caps.
Side Mounted Guardrail
The side-mounted guardrail as a standard railing flange that connects to the face of a parapet wall or the façade of the building. The single socket tee is used for the horizontal rails.
Angle Mounted Guardrail
Wall-Mounted vs. Non-Penetrating Guardrail
Now, let’s directly compare a wall-mounted versus a non-penetrating guardrail.
Firstly, they both will protect your people and meet OSHA regulations. We’ll discuss the different OSHA regulations later on, but we just wanted to cover that point so that we understand there’s no safety concern between these two guardrails.
Next, a non-penetrating guardrail can be installed “almost” everywhere. As mentioned, if you do not have the space, you might not be able to fit a non-penetrating guardrail on certain parts of your rooftop. However, a non-penetrating guardrail doesn’t mount to anything, so there is no need for any wall or surface to mount to.
OSHA Requirements for Mounted Guardrail
To wrap this up, let’s discuss different OSHA requirements when it comes to mounted guardrail.
1910.29(b)(1)
The top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, are 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm), above the walking-working surface.
If your wall or parapet is less than 39 inches, then you need a top rail above that parapet to meet the OSHA requirement of 42 inches.
1910.29(b)(2)
Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, or equivalent intermediate members are installed between the walking-working surface and the top edge of the guardrail system as follows when there is not a wall or parapet that is at least 21 inches (53 cm) high.
1910.29(b)(2)(iv)
Other equivalent intermediate members (such as additionalmidrails and architectural panels) are installed so that the openings are not more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide.
Additionally, if your parapet is less than 21 inches high, then you need a midrail to meet the OSHA standard.
For a midrail, you must ensure that there is no more than a 19 inch space between the top rail and the midrail/parapet.
This is commonly referred to as the "19-inch sphere rule" which is, like all these regulations, meant to help prevent any fall hazards.
1910.29(b)(3)
Guardrail systems are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied in a downward or outward direction within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge, at any point along the top rail.
1910.29(b)(4)
When the 200-pound (890-N) test load is applied in a downward direction, the top rail of the guardrail system must not deflect to a height of less than 39 inches (99 cm) above the walking-working surface.
1910.29(b)(5)
Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and other equivalent intermediate members are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (667 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the intermediate member.
In Review
Wall-mounted guardrail brings many benefits to your rooftop, first and foremost being that it protects your people from fall hazards.
However, we recommend connecting with a fall protection specialist to see if a wall-mounted system is best for you and what other fall protection solutions are needed for your rooftop.
Contact one of our experts today to get started on your fall protection project.
