The voice of the UK's rooflight industry
Legal Requirements ? Non-Fragility and? CDM Regulations ?
When specifying rooflights, designers should consider carefully the potential to eliminate or reduce known or predictable hazards. The decision on how best to specify rooflights should take account of the risks associated with temporary gaps during construction, and the risks when access to the roof is needed later e.g. during maintenance or cleaning.

As in all building work good safety standards are essential to prevent accidents. In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Construction (Design and Management) or CDM Regulations 2007 , the building should now be designed with safety in mind, not only for the construction period but throughout the normal life of the building. This must include considering the safety of people involved in maintenance and repair, and even demolition. It might mean providing permanent access to the roof, walkways and parapets, for example. The HSE document HSG 33 Safety in Roof Work refers specifically to fragile rooflights as an example of a potential hazard to be considered and to be avoided as far as possible.

Construction of the roof is one of the most hazardous operations because of the potential for falls or material dropping onto people below.? The roofing contractor must plan and document a safe system of work before starting construction.? This must take into account if any of the roof assembly will be fragile until fully fixed.? Metal roofing systems together with appropriate rooflights, even after the first fix of lining out, can be designed to be non fragile.? However until the systems are fully fixed, both metal and rooflights must be regarded as fragile.

Where specifying rooflights designers should consider the following options:

  • Specifying in plane rooflights that are non-fragile.
  • Fitting rooflights designed to project above the plane of the roof, and which cannot be walked on (these reduce the risk but they should still be capable of withstanding a person falling onto them).
  • Protecting rooflight openings e.g. by means of mesh or grids fitted below the rooflight or between the layers of a built-up rooflight.
  • Specify rooflights with a design life which matches that of the roof, taking into account the likely deterioration due to ultraviolet exposure, environmental pollution, and the internal and external building environment.
When properly fixed, most GRP and polycarbonate double skin in plane rooflights can be classified as non-fragile (usually Class B), using the industry accepted test procedure ACR(M)001:2005. (for more information refer to NARM Guidance Note:2006/1). All in plane units (even non-fragile) should be identifiable when installed, (for example by the use of poppy red fixing heads) to identify the rooflight location.

PVC, which is an inherently brittle material, always requires extra safety reinforcement. However, even non-fragile rooflights are likely to be damaged by impact; they are usually not intended to support foot traffic and crawling boards must be used at all times.

Out of plane rooflights (including modular rooflight units, barrel vault and patent glazing derivatives, etc.) should also be classified to the requirements of ACR(M)001:2005. Consideration should also be given to the requirements of prEN1873 using an energy rating of 1200 joules.

On completion of the building, designers should provide a Health and Safety File to the building owner. The following information should be included in respect of the roof and rooflights:
  • No person should have access to the roof, unless under the direct supervision of a competent person who is to assess and take action to minimise risks.
  • Access to the roof should be avoided when it is wet or in slippery conditions.
  • The rooflight specification, including the weight (thickness) of the rooflights, the non-fragile test method and classification when new, and the expected non-fragile life of the roof and rooflights.
  • A schedule for cleaning and maintenance for both performance and longevity of the specific rooflights.
  • Never walk on rooflights, irrespective of their non-fragility classification. Even rooflights that are designed to be non-fragile for the life of the roof could be damaged by foot traffic, and this may affect both the non-fragility performance and the light transmitting quality of the rooflight in the long term.

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