Access hatches are an excellent way to provide easy and secure roof access for maintenance tasks while also increasing the security of your building.
Access hatches are commonly employed in non-residential buildings like hospitals and industrial units; however, they can also be found in residential structures.
Safety Features
Maintaining proper access hatches near me on rooftops is essential for keeping people safe while working or working from rooftops. They also ventilate buildings in case of fires and allow people to escape quickly.
The roof hatch industry has developed numerous safety devices to safeguard workers in and around these openings. These include guardrails, ladder posts, and self-closing gates.
Self-closing gates are an effective solution for safeguarding workers while working on the roof, as they automatically close after someone passes through. Furthermore, this prevents people from accidentally falling into open hatches.
These gates are user-friendly and can be installed within minutes, providing roof workers with a practical solution. Furthermore, they give employees access to the top without fear of falling or getting hurt.
Another essential feature of roof hatches is that they should be built into the roof, matching its slope. In preventing tipping over in wind or rain, these hatches should have a support bar near their exit point to give climbers extra stability when ascending.
Finally, access hatches near me should be made from reliable, durable materials that can withstand weather damage and debris. They should also be regularly maintained to ensure they remain functioning optimally.
Safety railing systems are necessary for any rooftop opening within 15 feet of the edge. They should be designed to withstand 200 pounds of downward force and have a smooth surface so as not to cause injuries when skin contacts them.
In meeting OSHA fall protection guidelines, roof hatches should be secured with a guardrail system that extends at least 42 inches above the entry landing, preventing falls from the top of the opening. Furthermore, this railing system should be capable of stopping any fall during inclement weather, such as strong winds or high snow drifts.
Slip Resistant Surfaces
Access hatches are essential in providing secure entry to areas that require the upkeep of utilities and services, such as electrical, telecommunications, and water. These services can be heavy, so special attention must be given to ensure the safety of employees, guests, and others who enter these enclosed spaces.
Slip-resistant surfaces are essential in these areas to avoid accidental falls and injuries. It is especially crucial for elderly building occupants who may have difficulty recognising a slippery area and are more prone to taking a tumble.
Some of the most commonly used slip-resistant surfaces in access hatches are non-slip floor mats, coatings, and anti-skid flooring. These options have a surface texture or layer of grit to provide traction and reduce accidents.
Grit surfaces come in various materials, such as rubber and vinyl. They’re often employed in industrial settings to help keep floors clean and dry.
Other flooring options include terrazzo and quarry tiles. These natural clay products come glazed or unglazed; some even feature embedded grit for improved traction.
Terrazzo, for instance, has a COF of 0.64 when dry and 0.16 when wet, while quarry tile offers COFs ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 depending on its grit content.
Access hatches can be equipped with lightweight aluminium plates. This cost-effective material improves wheelchair and tire traction on ADA ramps, sidewalk grating, bridge decks, and safety road plates.
Another product suitable for installing on access hatches near me is Traction ProGrip 900, an anti-slip coating that adheres firmly to aluminium surfaces. This anti-slip coating improves the grip of maintenance hole covers, trench covers, pull box covers and ADA ramps, brick walkways, staircases and loading docks.
In addition to offering excellent safety, these surfaces can serve as valuable advertising spaces for companies and businesses. Therefore, using graphics media products with non-slip adhesives on stair treads and aisles at subway stations, bus terminals, and other transportation facilities is a wise idea.
Guard Railing Systems
Access hatches provide a convenient means of bringing materials in or out of a building but pose fall hazards. Workers moving from ladder to hatch may lose their footing or fall backwards. That is why roof hatch guard railing systems are essential for any commercial facility with an open access hatch.
The self-closing gate eliminates the risk of accidental entrance, while horizontal grab bars offer stability as climbers approach and exit a roof hatch. These guardrails come in aluminium or galvanised steel construction with a powder coat paint finish for long-lasting durability.