If a roof is trafficable, why would you want to install walkway? There are more than a few reasons…
When people think of engineered walkway, what tends to come to mind is a raised catwalk hanging from a roof, or a pedestrian bridge over a railway, or something else along those lines.
But even if there are areas that can be easily and safely accessed, it might be worthwhile to consider a fixed walkway and the advantages it can bring.
In this article our team of experts will look at what the different types of walkways are, and how they can be used in situations you might not initially consider them beneficial.
Types of fixed walkway
There are two main types of walkways that are used.
The first is aluminium. Aluminium walkway is strong, long-lasting and is often manufactured with a textured surface that assists in providing good contact and grip for workers in wet or adverse conditions.
Its main downside is that it can be quite heavy, making lifting onto the roof and installation take longer.
The other type is fibre-reinforced plastic, or FRP for short. This is a composite material made by embedding carbon or glass fibres into a polymer resin. Put another way, FRP is a high-strength plastic.
FRP walkway is lighter and easier to modify on site compared to aluminium walkway. Being a plastic product, it can be produced in a range of colours, most often a bright yellow. This means that it can hold its colour if damaged or worn down, which is not the case for powder-coated aluminium. It can also be cheaper per metre to have installed.
FRP can start to deteriorate after prolonged exposure to the elements, especially in areas where there is substantial heat, cold and/or moisture. Many different types of FRP walkway are often coated in a grainy material to promote grip. As this is applied to the walkway during manufacturing, it can wear and chip away resulting in a slicker surface forming.
Why use walkway?
Even if an area can be walked on directly there are still advantages to installing walkway on it. The use cases extend far beyond areas where it is unsafe for workers to be stepping without support.
An installed walkway system can provide workers with guidance on the safest pathway along which they can move through a work area. This can keep them clear of, and mitigate risks of, other things like plant and machinery, vents, skylights, vehicle paths and more.
On roofs that have a pitch to them (that is, roofs that have a slope) a walkway can be installed to create a level area for workers to traverse the roof. Along with providing additional grip and traction, having a level path on which to walk mitigates the risks of a slip and fall down the roof’s slope. In some circumstances, guardrail can be installed on the downslope side of the walkway to allow access to the system without the worker needing to wear a harness or connect to an additional fall protection system.
Even in cases where a roof can be walked on directly, there can still be a case for having walkway installed. Many types of metal roof can be damaged if repeatedly stepped on over time. Although damage may not render the roof unsafe to access, it can exacerbate potential dilapidation of the roof and surrounding structure through water ingress, debris build-up or the cracking of protective coatings that may be on the roof sheets.
Partners in protecting people
Height Safety Engineers can design, install and implement a walkway, fall protection or work positioning system in your building. Our team bring decades of real-world experience to bear on every site they touch.
Start your safety journey today by calling us on 1300 884 978, emailing enquiries@heightsafety.net or drop us a line through our contact page by clicking here.
