5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Guardrail Systems

Before , almost one construction worker per day fell to their death.

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While the amount of fatal falls has decreased since then, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census, falls are still one of the leading killers of workers.

Unguarded roof edges, stairwells, floor holes, and skylights are still significant workplace hazards, but these are all situations which can be made much safer by installing custom or pre-built temporary guardrail systems.

Guardrail fall protection is especially important for temporary hazards, such as when quickly pouring stairs. Even a simple railing system allows workers to go up and down more safely.

There are a few types of guardrails to choose from &#; the right guardrail set up varies based on the job site. Here are some things to consider when making your choice:

5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Guardrail Fall Protection

1. OSHA Compliance and Regulations

A few different regulations apply to worksite fall-protection. OSHA requires employers to provide guardrail systems which will protect workers from falling to lower levels.

All platforms that measure four feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground must be protected by a standard guardrail on all open sides. So, if you have a mezzanine, loading dock, roof, or other open space, you&#;ll need a way to reliably prevent falls of people and materials to lower levels.

When selecting a guardrail, it&#;s important to keep these guidelines in mind, or risk being non-compliant with safety regulations, which can carry a hefty fine.

In addition to size and location, you&#;ll also need to make sure the railings are secure and up to strength standards. For example, the StringerShield Stair Rail Clamping System is certified by third-party tests to exceed United States Federal OSHA temporary stair rail strength regulations.

2. Removable vs. Permanent Guardrails

Another factor to consider when choosing guardrail systems is how permanently you&#;ll need to use them.

Temporary guardrails don&#;t drill directly into structural elements &#; many, like StringerShield&#;s, clamp on.

Permanent guardrails can be more stable, secure, and durable. However, they&#;re also more expensive and take longer to install, and you&#;ll lose the ability to reuse the equipment without serious alterations.

So, if you&#;ll need the railing for less than a few months, a temporary solution is likely best. Even if the project is longer, if the finished product won&#;t require a guardrail set up, you are still likely better off with a temporary option.

3. Ease of Installation

Rail systems like StringerShield&#;s don&#;t require drilling into flooring or rooftop materials to install. This provides a considerable savings in time and installation costs. Instead, the clamp swivels into place to lock onto the edge of the structure.

Even if you want a more permanent solution, it can be helpful to have the flexibility of fall protection when and where you want it. Many guardrail systems are portable and can be dismantled and re-assembled as the need arises, providing greater mobility.

Want more information on Custom Hot Dip Galvanized Guardrail? Feel free to contact us.

4. Flexibility & Versatility

A temporary guardrail system is also more versatile, and easier to configure to your jobsite&#;s specific dimensions and needs.

This also makes it easier to meet OSHA regulations &#; for example, in elevated situations where there is a danger of something rolling or being kicked and hitting someone below, OSHA requires a 2 × 4 sized toe board between the bases. StringerShield guardrails can be retrofitted with custom-sized boards to match this requirement.

5. Durability

Even the most short-term construction safety equipment needs to stand up to the wear-and-tear of heavy daily use and resist weather-related degradation.

It is also often worthwhile to look for slip-resistant/weatherproofing options that can fit base plates with non-slip pads which prevent slipping and help cushion the base if you need to install it on a relatively sensitive material like rubber roofing.

The StringerShield Stair Rail Clamping System uses pins with positive locks instead of setscrews which makes it easier to visually see the whole locking system and be confident that it is secure and ready to use.

StringerShield&#;s Stair Rail Clamping System helps quickly install guardrails on stringer stairs for construction sites.

Pro Tool and Supply carries an extensive line of fall protection equipment, including top-of-the-line guardrail systems like StringerShield&#;s Stair Rail Clamping System.

If you&#;re looking to find out whether you&#;ll need railing systems for your site, or want to know more about the options and solutions available, Pro Tool is happy to help: contact us here for more information or request a quote.

The galvanizing process has been used to protect metal (primarily steel) from corrosion for hundreds of years.  The process basically involves cleaning the metal then dipping it into a vat of molten zinc.  The multiple layers of zinc that form from this process protect the underlying steel from corrosion. This has proven to be effective even in salt-laden oceanfront environments. The zinc does more than just coat the metal, it metallurgically bonds to it, actually becoming part of it. These layers of zinc dissolve at a very slow rate, essentially acting as sacrificial layers. The layers of zinc inhibit rust, providing decades of protection to the underlying ironwork.

The level of corrosion protection is determined by the coating&#;s thickness. The thicker the coating, the longer the life. Also, the geographical location where the ironwork will reside plays a crucial role in the longevity of the protection. Railings located in enclosed pool areas, at oceanfront properties, or in close proximity to salted roadways all require a thicker coating of zinc. It&#;s important to understand the surrounding environment when specifying a galvanized coating thickness.

Advantages of Hot Dipped Galvanized Railings:

• Using glavanized steel has a relatively low cost compared to using nonferrous (non-rusting) metals like stainless steel or aluminum.
• Hot-dip galvanized steel railings are low maintenance. Coatings can last 25-50+ years.
• They are durable and scratch-resistant.
• Scratches or abrasions that compromise the coating are still protected by the surrounding zinc (galvanic cell).
• Since during the hot-dip process, the ironwork is completely immersed in the molten zinc, the insides of tubing and interior crevasses of scroll ironwork get fully protected.
• Galvanized steel posts can be painted or powder-coated over the galvanized coating to enhance the beauty and add even more corrosion protection.
• If left unpainted the overall aesthetic is an industrial style which is considered on-trend for many of today&#;s design styles.

Disadvantages of Hot Dipped Galvanized Railings:

• It is difficult to control drips and sags and other surface imperfections when hot-dip galvanizing railings or other architectural metalwork. The resulting surface is not as fine, even after powder coating, as it would be if powder coated alone.
• Galvanize dip tanks are limited in size which sometimes requires breaking up large sections of the railing into smaller sections in order to fit them into the tank. This takes careful planning at the design stage, though it is possible.

 Galvanized Steel Appearance:

Galvanized coatings are typically bright and shiny when freshly galvanized. Left unpainted,  the finish will weather to a uniform dull gray appearance within a year. They look fantastic on exterior railings and have an industrial aesthetic.

At Keuka Studios, we custom fabricate residential and commercial stairs and railings to fit your style, space, and requirements. To learn more about how each cable railing project moves from vision to reality, take a look at our custom railing design process. We take pride in building craftsman-quality and commercial-grade stairs and railings for interior and exterior applications. Contact us to get started on your project.

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