US20240068254A1 - Fall Protection for Buildings - Google Patents

Fall Protection for Buildings Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20240068254A1
US20240068254A1 US18/237,100 US202318237100A US2024068254A1 US 20240068254 A1 US20240068254 A1 US 20240068254A1 US 202318237100 A US202318237100 A US 202318237100A US 2024068254 A1 US2024068254 A1 US 2024068254A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fall protection
cross
bars
vertical
attached
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
US18/237,100
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Dennis Pogonka
Samed Yavuzyilmaz
Joachim Heri Ranzmeyer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Enpal GmbH
Original Assignee
Enpal GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Enpal GmbH filed Critical Enpal GmbH
Publication of US20240068254A1 publication Critical patent/US20240068254A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G21/00—Preparing, conveying, or working-up building materials or building elements in situ; Other devices or measures for constructional work
    • E04G21/32—Safety or protective measures for persons during the construction of buildings
    • E04G21/3204—Safety or protective measures for persons during the construction of buildings against falling down
    • E04G21/3223—Means supported by building floors or flat roofs, e.g. safety railings
    • E04G21/3233—Means supported by building floors or flat roofs, e.g. safety railings without permanent provision in the floor or roof
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G21/00—Preparing, conveying, or working-up building materials or building elements in situ; Other devices or measures for constructional work
    • E04G21/32—Safety or protective measures for persons during the construction of buildings
    • E04G21/3204—Safety or protective measures for persons during the construction of buildings against falling down
    • E04G21/3214—Means for working on roofs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fall protection for buildings, in particular to a fall protection for fall edges on buildings.
  • the present invention also relates to the use of the fall protection according to the invention, as well as to a method for fastening the fall protection to the corresponding buildings or parts of buildings.
  • fall protection fall protection
  • Such fall protection systems are becoming more and more important as, for example, work on roofs has increased due to the increased installation of solar systems.
  • a building is a structure which encloses spaces, is capable of being entered, and is used for the habitation of people, animals, or the storage of property.
  • buildings include, but are not limited to, residential buildings or houses, commercial buildings, factories, workshops, warehouses, storage facilities, hospitals, gymnasiums, swimming pools, churches, train stations, airports, parking garages.
  • the fall protection according to the invention can generally be installed on any part of a building where fall protection is necessary and/or prescribed.
  • the fall protection according to the invention is used for securing fall edges on buildings.
  • the fall protection according to the invention is installed on and/or at the roof of a building.
  • the inventive fall protection is installed on the roof of a building.
  • the fall protection according to the invention makes use of already existing substructures of superstructures mounted on or to the building or part of the building. Thus, it is not necessary to install new or further (complicated) parts/substructures, but the installation makes use of the already existing systems and possibilities.
  • the superstructures and the fall protection are installed in parallel, i.e. simultaneously.
  • the present invention makes use of the substructures, in particular profile rails, necessary for the installation of solar systems (or comparable superstructures to be installed on the roof).
  • profile rails are installed and fixed on the roof in a first step according to known methods. Before the actual solar system, i.e. the corresponding modules, are now attached to or on the profile rails, the fall protection according to the invention is installed.
  • the installation of the fall protection according to the invention is carried out simultaneously with the installation of the substructure.
  • the system is attached to the already attached substructure, for example the profile rails of the solar installation, preferably at the end of the respective profile rail (substructure).
  • the fall protection according to the invention can be attached to both ends of the respective profile rail (substructure).
  • the substructures remain permanently on the roof, i.e. only the vertical struts, the fasteners and the one or more transverse struts are removed again when the fall protection is dismantled.
  • the fixed and permanent substructure on the building is thus part of the fall protection according to the invention.
  • the fall protection according to the invention can be installed on any roof on which roof structures usable for the invention are mounted or attached.
  • Example roof forms include, but are not limited to, gable roofs (single or extended), flat roofs, monopitch roofs (single or offset), footwall roofs, cross roofs, trench roofs, cripple hip roofs, mansard roofs, mansard hip roofs, only roofs, parallel roofs, sawtooth roofs, trailing roofs, butterfly roofs, barrel roofs, forest roofs, tent roofs and dwarf roofs.
  • the roof shape is a gable roof, flat roof or pent roof.
  • the building superstructures are roof superstructures.
  • Roof superstructures are any superstructure that is fixedly attached or attached to a roof “Fixed” in the sense of the present invention means that the roof superstructures are permanently attached to the roof, i.e. that when the fall protection is removed, the roof structures and thus the substructures are not removed from the roof again.
  • the roof superstructures are solar installations. Solar installations are any technical installation for converting solar energy into another form of energy. Examples of solar installations include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic (PV) installations, solar thermal installations and/or solar collectors. In a preferred embodiment, the solar energy system is a PV system.
  • PV photovoltaic
  • the present invention is not limited to solar installations, but can be used with any system or device that uses a substructure in the form of profile rails (or comparable systems). Also suitable are other roof structures that can be used to generate energy.
  • the substructure is one or more profile rails, particularly in solar systems.
  • the fall protection according to the invention can be attached in the region of the ridge, the verge, the roof overhang or the eaves. In a preferred embodiment, the fall protection according to the invention is attached in the region of the verge. In one embodiment, the substructure of the inventive fall protection is not attached to the gable, the gable end or the gable rafters.
  • the fall protection according to the invention comprises, inter alia, vertical struts (or spars) which are attached to the substructure, for example profile rails for the substructure for solar installations.
  • Perpendicular in the sense of the present invention means here that the struts are attached perpendicularly to the roof, i.e. at right angles thereto.
  • the vertical struts may be attached in a range extending from a right angle with respect to the roof slope to a right angle with respect to the ground surface.
  • the vertical struts may be made of any suitable material.
  • the material of the vertical struts must have sufficient strength to be able to ensure a firm connection with the substructure and the other elements of the fall protection, i.e. to be able to withstand the pressure exerted by screws, clamps, couplings and the like.
  • the material must be able to withstand the forces of a fall of one or more people working on or against the building in order to provide the required protection.
  • Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, metals, such as iron or aluminum, stainless steels, metal alloys, hard plastics, or wood.
  • the material of the vertical struts is aluminum.
  • the vertical struts may be selected from various profiles, diameters and/or lengths. Suitable profiles include, but are not limited to, round profiles, grooved profiles, flat profiles, profiles with hammered edges, frame profiles, perforated profiles, square profiles, and others. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical struts have a round profile.
  • Suitable diameters of the vertical struts are in principle not limited. In one embodiment, suitable diameters are in the range of 20 to 70 mm, preferably 25 to 60 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical struts have a diameter in the range of 40 to 50 mm. In another preferred embodiment, the diameter is 48.3 mm. In another embodiment, the vertical struts have a diameter of standard scaffolding components.
  • the vertical struts can be of any suitable length. Preferably, the length is such that the fall protection provides sufficient height for all people working on the building.
  • the vertical struts have a length in the range of 750 to 1250 mm, such as 800 to 1200 mm.
  • the vertical struts have a length of at least 800 mm, at least 900 mm, at least 1000 mm, at least 1100 mm, or at least 1200 mm.
  • the vertical struts have a minimum length that ensures that the cross struts can be placed at a minimum height of 1000 mm.
  • the vertical struts are fastened to the substructure by means of suitable fastening means.
  • the fastening means is suitable for connecting different profiles (cross-sections) and/or diameters of the vertical struts compared to the profiles and/or diameters of the substructure.
  • the substructure may have a rectangular or square profile, whereas on the other hand the vertical struts have a round profile.
  • the fastener is selected according to the circumstances, and common fasteners known in the prior art may be used.
  • suitable fasteners include, but are not limited to, scaffolding couplers, pipe clamps, clamps, magnetic connectors, screw connections and/or plug connections.
  • the fastening means is in the form of a retaining clip.
  • a retaining clip within the meaning of the present invention has a recess at its base, with a cross-section into which the profile of the substructure fits positively.
  • the retaining clip may have a matching rectangular opening at its base into which a rectangular substructure may be inserted.
  • the retaining clip may be tightened with a fastening screw or similar means, such as, but not limited to, clamps, ratchets, turnbuckles, lashing fasteners, compression fasteners, magnetic fasteners, or the like, to obtain a tight fit.
  • the fastener should be able to withstand a force in accordance with the prescribed safety standards, for example DIN EN 13374.
  • a screw can be tightened with a torsional force of 30 nm, 40 nm, 50 nm, 60 nm, 70 nm or more, but is not limited thereto.
  • the fastener is tightened with a torsional force of 50 nm.
  • the fastener should also be adequately protected from corrosion. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and/or aluminum.
  • the end of the respective substructure which for example points in the direction of the verge, should protrude a certain length beyond the fastener in order to ensure a firm connection of the substructure in the fastener, i.e. that the substructure cannot come loose from the fastener.
  • the end of the substructure projects 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm or more beyond the fastening means.
  • the end of the substructure protrudes beyond the fastening means in a range of 10-20 mm.
  • the fastening means is pushed into the substructure by means of an inlet, whereby the distance to the end of the substructure can be flexibly adjusted and/or changed.
  • the vertical strut can be inserted from above into the fastening means, for example the retaining clip described above.
  • the vertical strut may have the same profile as the substructure or may have a different profile.
  • the vertical strut has a round cross-section, matching a corresponding cross-section in the fastening means.
  • the vertical strut is attached and/or fixed to the fixing means by suitable means known in the prior art.
  • the vertical strut is secured by means of a securing bolt inserted through a corresponding hole in the fastening means and the vertical strut.
  • Other fastening means include, but are not limited to, fixed welded connection, magnetic connector, screw connection, clamp connection, click and spring systems.
  • suitable adapters may be used with the fastening means to compensate for differences in the profiles and/or thicknesses of the vertical struts and the sub structure.
  • the vertical struts may include markings at which height the individual cross struts are to be attached.
  • the present invention also includes fall protection in which a vertical strut is not attached to each substructure. The latter is possible as long as a sufficiently stable and safe fall protection is provided.
  • a vertical strut may be attached to only every second substructure (such as every second profiled rail).
  • the fall protection system has one or more cross braces attached to the vertical struts, wherein the one or more cross braces are attached to at least two vertical struts.
  • the one or more cross braces serve to stabilize the complete fall protection system, but more importantly they effect the actual (lateral) protection on the roof.
  • the cross brace may also be attached to only one vertical brace.
  • At least one cross brace is used, preferably more than one cross brace, such as two cross braces.
  • two cross braces are used.
  • three cross braces are used.
  • the number of cross struts is based on the height of the vertical struts, so that sufficient stability and protection is achieved via the number of cross struts.
  • the indicated number of cross struts refers to the number between two vertical struts.
  • the height of the top cross brace can also be determined by legal regulations or standards, such as DIN EN 13374.
  • the length of the cross brace is selected according to the number of vertical braces and the length of the building, for example the roof.
  • a cross brace may have a length such that it can be attached to all installed vertical braces.
  • the length of the cross brace is equal to or slightly exceeds the distance between two vertical braces.
  • the cross brace attached to the respective outer vertical braces has a length that extends beyond the respective vertical cross brace to provide additional protection.
  • the cross brace extends 50 cm, 75 cm, 100 cm, 125 cm or 150 cm beyond the position of the outermost vertical struts.
  • cross braces are used which are all of the same length, the cross braces being connected by means of tubular connectors, magnetic connectors, screws, internal threads, tension connectors, linear connectors, locking bolts (or other suitable means) to achieve the necessary overall length for the cross brace.
  • the cross braces may have, but are not limited to, a length of 1.50 m, such that an overall cross brace length of 1.50 m, 3 m, 4.50 m, 6 m or more may be achieved.
  • the cross braces may have a length of 2 m, 2.50 m, 3 m or more, but are not limited thereto.
  • cross braces may be used that have a length ⁇ 2 m, preferably ⁇ 1.50 m.
  • cross braces of different lengths are used depending on the overall length of the building, for example a roof. By connecting them with pipe connectors, the desired or required overall length can also be achieved.
  • cross braces of different lengths are used, which can be connected and/or fixed as described above.
  • the transverse struts may be in the form of telescopic rods, the length of which is variable and can thus be changed to the length required for the particular case.
  • the cross braces are attached to the vertical braces with suitable fasteners.
  • suitable fasteners are all fasteners described herein.
  • the cross braces of the present invention are made of the same material as the vertical braces, but may also be made of a different material. It is also possible to take different materials for the cross braces in a used fall protection according to the present invention. Most suitable materials are the same as described herein for the vertical struts. Alternatively or additionally, the cross braces may be made of ladders, grids, nets, tarpaulins or the like, without being limited thereto. The choice and combination of materials must be able to provide the required stability.
  • the fall protection according to the invention is thus a modular system which can be easily assembled and fastened and can be dismantled or removed again just as easily. Moreover, by attaching it to existing substructures, such as the profile rails of a solar installation, an already existing base anchorage can be used. This eliminates a time-consuming installation step in comparable systems. In addition, excellent overall stability can be achieved by using the substructure, which provides safe fall protection. Furthermore, the number of components used is significantly lower than in conventional systems, which means that a large number of fall protection systems of the present invention can be kept in stock and thus costs can be saved.
  • the fall protection according to the invention comprises only the parts described herein and no other parts. In another embodiment, the fall protection may comprise further parts not mentioned herein.
  • the present invention is directed to the use of a fall protection for buildings for fall protection.
  • the fall protection is used on or on a roof for fall protection.
  • the fall protection is used on the verge of a roof.
  • the fall protection is used in conjunction with profile rails for solar installations.
  • the present invention is directed to a method of attaching fall protection to buildings in accordance with the invention.
  • the method comprises the steps of:
  • the fixed and permanent substructure on the building thus becomes part of the fall protection according to the invention.
  • the building or part of a building is a roof, preferably the verge of a roof.
  • the substructure is one or more profile rails of solar panels.
  • the one or more cross braces may be attached to the vertical brace directly after step a), before step b) is carried out.
  • steps b) and c) i.e. a further vertical strut is attached to a further substructure and one or more cross struts are attached to the further and the last attached vertical strut.
  • steps b) and c) are repeated until the fall protection according to the invention is attached over the complete length of the building, in particular of a roof, preferably over the complete length of the verge.
  • the minimum length in this case generally corresponds to the working area and/or fall area.
  • FIG. 1 shows an overview of the individual parts of the roof of a house.
  • FIGS. 2 a - 2 h show exemplary steps of attaching the fall protection system of the invention to a roof.
  • FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show an embodiment of a connection of second transverse struts.
  • FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the fall protection according to the invention attached to a roof.
  • FIG. 1 shows the usual designations for the corresponding parts of a roof. However, depending on the individual case, the designations may also differ. In the following, the designations according to FIG. 1 are used.
  • FIGS. 2 a to 2 h refer to an embodiment of the fall protection according to the invention, which is installed and used for fall protection at the verge.
  • a first profile rail ( 2 ) of a PV system exemplified here is attached to a roof ( 1 ).
  • the profile rail ( 2 ) in this embodiment has a rectangular cross-section.
  • a retaining clip ( 3 ) is attached to the profile rail ( 2 ), which has a matching rectangular opening at its base into which the profile rail can be inserted.
  • the fixing screw ( FIG. 2 c ; circled) is tightened to obtain a firm connection. In the embodiment shown, the screw is tightened with a torque of 50 nm.
  • the end of the profile rail ( 2 ) pointing in the direction of the verge protrudes overall beyond the retaining clip ( 3 ), for example at least 10 mm, to ensure that the profile rail ( 2 ) cannot become detached from the retaining clip ( 3 ).
  • a vertical strut ( 4 ) is then inserted from above into the same retaining clip ( 3 ).
  • the vertical strut has a round cross-section, matching the corresponding cross-section in the retaining clip ( 3 ).
  • the vertical strut ( 4 ) is fixed in the retaining clip ( 3 ) by means of a securing bolt ( 5 ) ( FIG. 2 e ; circled).
  • the aforementioned steps are carried out on a second profile rail ( 2 ), which is fastened at a distance above the first profile rail ( 2 ).
  • two normal couplings ( 6 ) are attached to each of the vertical struts in this embodiment, which are required for fastening the cross struts.
  • FIG. 2 g shows the attachment of a first cross strut ( 7 ), which is attached to the vertical struts ( 4 ) with the normal couplings ( 6 ) and held in position.
  • the cross brace ( 7 ) extends beyond both the first vertical brace ( 4 ) and the roof eaves to provide optimum fall protection.
  • a second cross strut ( 7 ) is attached above the first cross strut ( 7 ) at the upper end of the vertical struts ( 4 ).
  • FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show an embodiment in which the cross struts ( 7 ) are extended by means of a tubular connector ( 8 ) in order to obtain a continuous cross strut.
  • the fully installed fall protection can be seen in FIG. 4 .
  • the verge is fully protected from the eaves of the roof to the last profile rail, so that people working on the roof are fully protected.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
  • Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
US18/237,100 2022-08-24 2023-08-23 Fall Protection for Buildings Pending US20240068254A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102022121400.1 2022-08-24
DE102022121400.1A DE102022121400A1 (de) 2022-08-24 2022-08-24 Fallschutz für gebäude

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20240068254A1 true US20240068254A1 (en) 2024-02-29

Family

ID=87762703

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US18/237,100 Pending US20240068254A1 (en) 2022-08-24 2023-08-23 Fall Protection for Buildings

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20240068254A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP4328399A1 (zh)
CN (1) CN117803215A (zh)
CA (1) CA3210123A1 (zh)
DE (1) DE102022121400A1 (zh)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9309723U1 (de) 1993-06-30 1993-11-18 Leichtmetallbau Mauderer GmbH, 88161 Lindenberg Profilträger für Schutzgeländer
FR2961234A1 (fr) * 2010-06-14 2011-12-16 Didier Berges Dispositif et procede pour l'installation d'une couverture photovoltaique.
FR3007438B1 (fr) * 2013-06-19 2015-06-19 Frenehard & Michaux Sa Dispositif de support pour un potelet de garde-corps et une partie d'au moins une barre de retenue de neige et destine a etre fixe sur une couverture de toit
AT523266B1 (de) * 2020-06-18 2021-07-15 Hans Brantner & Sohn Hallenbau Gmbh Absturzsicherungsvorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN117803215A (zh) 2024-04-02
DE102022121400A1 (de) 2024-02-29
EP4328399A1 (de) 2024-02-28
CA3210123A1 (en) 2024-02-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9194129B2 (en) Safety roof anchors
US20020092707A1 (en) Dismountable facade scaffold
US20030177706A1 (en) Mounting system for supporting objects
US20210140175A1 (en) Rapidly deployable modular building system
US20180119439A1 (en) Fall Protection Anchor
US11118363B1 (en) Saddle tie-back fall protection anchor
GB2453840A (en) Railway arch linings and mezzanine floors
US7254926B2 (en) Deck bracket and method of attaching a deck to a building
RU2571467C2 (ru) Система защитного заграждения и/или ограждения
US20090151294A1 (en) Bracing and spacing apparatus for hip trusses
US20040255535A1 (en) Multi-purpose construction assembly and method
CA2909214C (en) Truss girder for a weather protection roof as well as weather protection roof with several truss girders
US6490840B1 (en) Hurricane tie system for retrofit on existing structures
AU2018282265A1 (en) Improvements relating to lifting of building units
US9068384B2 (en) Folding carport
US20240068254A1 (en) Fall Protection for Buildings
US11927010B2 (en) System and method of securing a roof truss to a load-bearing wall
JP5152768B2 (ja) 仮設足場用屋根構造体とそれを用いた構造物の組立方法
US20070017741A1 (en) Truss-mounted rooftop fall protection system
DE202022105192U1 (de) Fallschutz für Gebäude
WO1998048124A1 (en) Building system and components of this system for modular do-it yourself houses
US6269593B1 (en) Roof tie down connecting fork and yoke
AU2021221766A1 (en) Cold-formed portal framed structures and components for such structures
WO2018079858A1 (ja) 屋上利用ルーフ施工システム
DE202024000410U1 (de) Unterkonstruktion für Solarpaneele Stromkraftwerk

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION