Internal Edge Protection
Freestanding counterweighted guardrail for cold stores and internal roofs, with no fixings through the roof membrane. Free design service. Quote within one hour.
Not Sure What You Need?
Send a sketch, a photo or your measurements. We draw it up free and quote within one hour.
Internal Roof Edge Protection for Cold Stores and Internal Roofs
Internal roof edge protection is a freestanding guardrail for roofs built inside a larger building, such as cold stores, cold rooms and plant rooms in warehouses and factories. We supply the Defender counterweighted system for these roofs. It sits on the roof surface with no drilling and no fixings through it, uses 1100mm factory preassembled uprights with open cradle fittings, suits flat roofs up to 3° pitch and can be configured to satisfy the requirements of BS EN 13374 Class A.
It is for facilities managers, cold store contractors and maintenance teams who send people onto an internal roof to service ventilation, cooling and other equipment. We hold the system in stock with next-day delivery on stock orders, cut tube to length free, quote within one hour in working hours and offer a free design service from your roof plan.
Why Internal Roofs Need Edge Protection
Cold stores and cold rooms rely on ventilation and cooling equipment, and most of it sits on the cold store roof. That equipment needs access for inspection, maintenance and emergency repairs, and the edge of an internal roof is a fall hazard just like an external one. Employers, facility managers, building owners and contractors share a duty to keep people safe when they work at height on that roof.
Cold store roofs are also busy, with pipes, obstacles and plant, and in many buildings the cold room ceilings hang from the main roof at different heights. The Institute of Refrigeration advises installing counterbalanced guardrails on cold store roofs to protect people from falling over the edge, with edge protection tested to BS EN 13374:2013 Class A. Read more in safety solutions for cold rooms.
The Three Systems
Internal roofs use the same Defender systems as external roofs. Uprights are spaced at no more than 2000mm centres on all three.
| System | Rails | Counterweight tube | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Top and mid rail | 2000mm, a counterweight at up to 4000mm centres | Open roofs with room behind the edge |
| Standard | Top and mid rail | 1000mm, on every upright | Crowded roofs with pipes, ducts and plant |
| Plus | Three rails, curved uprights | 1000mm, on every other upright | Crowded roofs where you want a third rail |
Full details of each system, the fittings and how to measure up are in our main roof edge protection guide.
Not Sure What You Need?
Send a sketch, a photo or your measurements. We draw it up free and quote within one hour.
No Roof Membrane Penetration
Drilling through a cold store roof, often a ceiling hung from the main structure, is exactly what you want to avoid. Defender stands on galvanised feet with protective rubber bases, held by recycled PVC counterweights. The counterbalanced arms carry 3mm fluted rubber pads that hold the system in place without compromising the roof surface. There is no drilling, bolting or other mounting that could damage the structure.
The low-profile design does away with heavy concrete or rubber weights, which reduces trip hazards, and the slim counterweight is deemed a low trip hazard. The system takes little space, which matters on a roof crowded with pipes and plant. The shorter counterweight tubes on Standard and Plus are designed for restricted roof areas like these.
Specification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rails | 48.3mm (size 8) galvanised steel tube to BS EN ISO 1461 |
| Uprights | 1100mm, factory preassembled with open cradle fittings. 12kg (Economy and Standard), 16kg (Plus, curved) |
| Counterweights | Recycled PVC. 2000mm: 32kg. 1000mm: 29kg. Run end counterweight: 68kg |
| Rail tube weight | 3.6kg per metre |
| Upright spacing | 2000mm maximum centres |
| Roof pitch | 3° maximum |
| Design load | 300 N/m horizontal load on the top rail without deflecting more than 30mm (manufacturer's manual) |
Weights are from the manufacturer's operation and maintenance manual. Use them when checking what the roof can carry.
Durability and Service Life
All metal components are galvanised steel, for long life and corrosion resistance, and the system is close to maintenance free. The manual gives a service life of 20 years at -10°C to +40°C for the PVC counterweights and rubber pads, and describes metalwork life as generally indefinite. If the roof space runs colder than -10°C, tell us when you ask for a quote.
How to Choose for an Internal Roof
- Clear space behind the edge. If there is room for a 2000mm counterweight arm, Economy is the simplest option. If pipes, ducts or plant are in the way, price Standard or Plus.
- Free ends. Each place a run stops in open roof needs a run end counterweight. A closed run does not.
- Access point. A typical internal system has a self-closing gate at the top of the ladder opening. The gate closes automatically behind the user, so the opening is never left open.
- Obstacles on the roof. Use step-over platforms where the route crosses pipes or cables.
- New or existing roof. The system suits new construction and retrofit onto existing roofs.
Check Before You Order
- Roof strength. The roof must be able to carry the weight of the system plus the people using it. If there is any doubt, a structural engineer should inspect it first. This matters on suspended ceilings.
- Roof surface. The manufacturer's documents list asphalt, coated steel sheeted, concrete, mineral felt and PVC membrane roofs. Tell us what your roof is made of.
- Pitch. No more than 3°.
- Clear surface. The roof must be free of debris, ice, lubricants and anything else that could affect the system.
- Not an anchor. The guardrail must never be used as an anchor point for PPE or for lowering or securing loads.
Where It Is Used
- Cold stores and cold rooms in food supply logistics and pharmaceutical distribution centres.
- Warehouses and factories with rooms, platforms or plant built inside the main structure.
- Any internal setting with an elevated platform or roof access where people maintain equipment.
On the same site, the cold store itself may need protecting at floor level from vehicles. See Armco crash barriers and warehouse safety barriers.
How to Order
- Measure each run of edge, and count corners and free ends.
- Mark the ladder or access opening and any plant or pipes near the edge.
- Note the roof surface and, if you know it, the load the roof can take.
- Send a roof plan, sketch or photo with the measurements through get a quote, or call 01905 779944, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. We reply within one hour in working hours with a component list and price.
- Once agreed, the system, gates and tube cut to length are delivered to your premises or direct to site, with next-day delivery on stock orders.
Why Buy Internal Edge Protection from Fisher Alvin
- Preassembled uprights with open cradles. Drop the rail in and tighten with a hex key. No welding.
- In stock, with next-day delivery on stock orders.
- Tube cut to length, free.
- Quote within one hour in working hours.
- Free design service from your roof plan.
- Founded in Birmingham in 1912.
Internal Edge Protection Questions
Can roof edge protection be used on a cold store roof?
Yes, where the roof surface and pitch suit the system and the roof can carry the weight of the system plus the people using it. Defender does not drill into or fix through the roof.
Is it the same system as external roof edge protection?
Yes. It is the same Defender counterweighted system, with the same 1100mm uprights and the same Economy, Standard and Plus options.
Which system suits a crowded roof?
Standard or Plus. Both use shorter 1000mm counterweight tubes, designed for restricted roof areas.
How does it stay in place without fixings?
Recycled PVC counterweights hold each upright, and the counterbalanced arms carry 3mm fluted rubber pads that grip without damaging the roof surface.
Will it work in a cold store?
The PVC counterweights and rubber pads have a stated service life of 20 years at -10°C to +40°C. Tell us if your roof space runs colder.
What about the ladder opening?
Fit a self-closing gate at the top of the ladder. It closes automatically behind the user, so the opening is never left open.
What do you need for a quote?
The length of each run, corners and free ends, the position of the ladder opening and plant, and the roof surface. A roof plan or photo helps.
Internal Edge Protection Guides and Related Ranges
Read: safety solutions for cold rooms, how counterbalanced systems avoid roof damage, the complete guide to freestanding edge protection and safe mezzanine access.
Related ranges: roof edge protection, self-closing gates, step-over platforms, Armco crash barriers and key clamp handrail kits.
Recent projects
A few of the jobs we have supplied. Every one was quoted, drawn up and delivered by the Fisher Alvin team.
Tell Us the Job. We Quote Within One Hour.
In working hours, with a free design service if you need the layout drawn up. Or call 01905 779944.