Category Archive

As architects continue to imagine and design complex projects, it is becoming increasingly common for fall arrest and tie-back equipment to be located on building terraces. As the condominium market remains as competitive as ever, builders and developers are introducing special features and incentives to lure buyers. Items such as barbecues, bars, built-in kitchens, gardens, lounges, hot tubs, patio furniture, …

Fall arrest and tie-back anchors are primarily designed to protect workers from falls while working on or over the roof edge. While a clear understanding of codes, regulations, and standards is of the utmost importance, the first consideration (after safety, of course) is function when designing proper window-washing, suspended maintenance, and fall-protection systems. Often, buildings install a system only to …

It is always better to install fall arrest and tie-back anchors for window washing, suspended maintenance, and fall protection systems in the “new construction” phase.  But far too often, builders attempt to save the client money on construction costs without considering retrofit.  There are several reasons to avoid retrofitting these systems when at all possible:  it is a lot more expensive will …

I recently became aware of some very serious misconceptions within our industry, and I thought that this would be a great platform to clear them up. One of the most frequent misconceptions that I hear is that “we need davits” for a building or project to complete window washing and suspended maintenance. In certain situations, this is definitely the case; …

The Inspections Department is an integral part of our company.  Fall arrest and tie-back anchors (for window washing systems and fall protection equipment) must be inspected annually in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the Department/Ministry of Labour. Our mission in this Department is two-fold: To develop first-hand experience and maintain an expert team of Inspectors in this highly specialized …

Whether it is new construction or retrofit, there is always a way to install window-washing, suspended maintenance, and fall-protection equipment.  While equipment can be installed on structural steel or even wood structures, the easiest structure to work with is reinforced concrete. It is the most cost-effective, typically does not require access to the underside or localized reinforcing, and offers a number of other …

Selecting proper roof anchors is critical and requires in-depth knowledge of fall window washing, suspended maintenance, fall protection codes, and rigging methods. Also, recognizing that each building is different, most architects, developers, and general contractors find selecting a professional roof anchor company daunting. Lifelines A standard lifeline is 5/8 inch (1.59 centimetres) in diameter and has a breaking strength of …

Everyone is responsible for preventing falls when working at heights. The building owner/property manager/owner’s representative, the self-employed contractor, any subcontractor and the worker are all responsible for safety considerations when on a roof. The concern for health and safety on a roof becomes critical as soon as someone steps onto it (and not just when they “get close” to the …

Our industry is most commonly associated with window washing systems and suspended maintenance systems. Because of this, fall protection—particularly on low-rise buildings—is often overlooked. Fall Arrest vs. Fall Restraint “Fall protection” is a term that encompasses both fall arrest and fall restraint. Fall arrest prevents a person from reaching the ground after a fall. An example of fall arrest is …