Posted: Aug 14 '18

Portable Guardrail Systems for Fall Protection: Choosing the Right System

Guardrail systems for fall protection are an asset in the construction industry. When used alongside personal fall protection systems, they allow employees to work at height with minimal risk of falling.

Among guardrail systems, portable rail systems are some of the most popular. There are three reasons why:

They are non-penetrating:

A key benefit of using non-penetrating guardrail systems for fall protection is that they keep the roof intact. You can continue with your work without drilling into the roof thus preserving the integrity as well as the warranty of the roof.

Easy to install:

Another advantage of using portable guardrail systems for fall protection is that they are easy to set up. If you have two installers working together, they can set up hundreds of feet of portable guardrail within two or three hours. Quick installation means that the crew can then get right to work, enhancing your chances of finishing the project on time.

You don’t need tools for the set-up process:

You’ll enjoy setting up a portable guardrail system because you don’t need any tools for the installation process. The pieces seamlessly connect, snap, then secure with a locking mechanism. This further increases speed of installation which can be critical when working on a time-sensitive project.

Choosing the Right Portable Guardrail Systems for Fall Protection

There are two main types of portable guardrail systems for fall protection; non-penetrating and mobile. Non-penetrating systems are not designed to be temporary but at the same time don’t physically attach to the structure, thus can be moved or relocated with ease. Mobile guardrail systems, meanwhile, are both non-penetrating and temporary in that they are not designed to be used in a location on a permanent basis.

The following three questions should help you choose the best portable guardrail systems for fall protection:

1. How often do you plan to move or reconfigure the rail system? If you plan to move frequently, mobile guardrails would be ideal. If you plan to move/reconfigure the system once every few months, then non-penetrating systems would be the better choice.
2. Are you planning to use the system on a construction site or an existing building? For existing buildings, both non-penetrating and mobile rail systems can be used. For new constructions, a mobile system is recommendable.
3. How important is aesthetics for the project? Where aesthetics are important, the uniform look of a non-penetrating guardrail would be ideal as the safety-yellow appearance of mobile rails can be “ugly.”

Select from a Wide Range of Portable Guardrails for Fall Protection

Searching for the perfect guardrails? Contact us today to choose from a wide range of high-quality portable guardrail systems for fall protection.

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