Keeguard System for Buckinghamshire hospital

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team May 22, 2006

Health and safety of all rooftop workers is now permanently assured at a Hospital in Buckinghamshire, thanks to newly installed KeeGuard roof edge protection system from Kee Klamp.

The health and safety of all rooftop workers is now permanently assured at a Hospital in Buckinghamshire, thanks to a newly installed KeeGuard roof edge protection system from market leader, Kee Klamp .

Maintenance crews and external contractors require regular access to monitor operation or fix faults on the hospital's air conditioning chillers, extract ventilation systems, satellite equipment and elevator motor rooms, which are all located on the Hospital's roof.

In addition, periodic inspections of the flat roof are also needed.

Achieving safe and secure access to the Hospital's roof was therefore identified as a priority.

The Hospital wanted to ensure that it complied fully with HSE guidelines.

A permanent solution offers workers key advantages in terms of speed of access and convenience.

The KeeGuard system was selected because it is quick, easy, and, as a result, inexpensive to put up.

After a method statement was issued by Kee Klamp , a full consultation meeting took place prior to the final specification of the system and its assembly by the company's own installation team.

The installation extends for over 230 linear metres across the roof of the Hospital's two storey building, and is the first in the UK to feature the company's recently developed saddle fitting, allowing even quicker system assembly.

This fitting allows the KeeGuard system's horizontal guardrail to be placed in the saddle of the open fitting, rather than through it before being secured with a grub screw in the normal fashion.

This makes system assembly up to twice as fast as conventional roof edge protection systems and reduces on-site installation complexity and cost.

With this new fitting, the KeeGuard system remains compliant with EN 14122 for permanent barriers and provides "collective" rather than "personal" protection.

The KeeGuard system comprises just three principal pre-fabricated components - a main upright, a main counterbalance and a free end assembly, where no wall fixing is available.

All assemblies are designed for use with 42.4 and 48.3 o/d diameter tubing and standard fittings from the Kee Klamp range to provide a complete, easy to assemble solution in roof edge guardrailing, walkway demarcation, stairwell, open lift shaft and other fall prevention applications.

Versatile enough for installation across differing roof levels, the KeeGuard system can adapt easily to changes in height or direction.

Because it is free-standing, it requires no drilling into the roof itself, thereby avoiding potential leaks into the building due to any damage to the roof covering.

As well as the popular KeeGuard system, Kee Klamp also provides a full range of fittings for tubular structure construction, and tubular solutions for interior or exterior balustrading applications with its Keenect system and Keeline systems.

Kee Klamp is certified to BS EN ISO 9001 and is recognised as an Investor In People.