ROPE ACCESS SOLUTION FOR 'LEFT' COMPLEX in ANTWERP

Partner: Cofapro

Country: Belgium

Solution: XSRail Rope access system (★★★★)

Architectural highlight becomes a safety challenge

The LEFT complex in Antwerp is a striking architectural structure where the windows play a major visual role. While they contribute significantly to the building’s appearance, maintaining them proved far from simple, especially on the side with a lower green roof, where using a boom lift is impossible.

That led the building manager to pose a straightforward but complex question: Can we safely clean these windows from the rooftop, without external access?

To solve this, fall protection experts XSPlatforms and Cofapro partnered to design and implement a custom fall protection solution that would ensure safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

The constraints: green roof, no boom lift access

“This was an interesting project from the start,” says Bregt Zwijsen, of XSPlatforms. “We immediately saw the unique constraints. The rooftop was accessible, but any solution had to come from above, since ground-based access with a lift wasn’t possible on that side.”

This meant exploring roof-based fall protection solutions that would enable technicians to abseil down and clean the windows—without compromising on safety or structural design.

By choosing a rail-based system, XSPlatforms and Cofapro ensured that the fall protection solution for LEFT complex Antwerp was both sustainable and efficient.

Fixed Rope access anchor points vs. Rail System: why the XSRail was chosen

Initially, the team considered a conventional approach using fixed anchor points, commonly used in rope access systems. But that option quickly presented limitations:

Anchor points are static metal eyelets that require precise placement during construction.
Abseiling must occur vertically, so incorrect positioning means users are off-target—causing side loading and unsafe tension on parapets.
This can compromise both safety and comfort for the technicians.

“When you descend without being directly above your work area, it adds horizontal force, which isn’t ideal,” Zwijsen explains. “That force can stress building elements like the parapet or railings.” A better solution? The XSRail Rope access system.

“With the XSRail, users can move horizontally to the right point and then descend vertically,” explains Koen de Maesschalk of Cofapro. “There’s no need to pre-determine drop points. The rail system follows the user and offers a flexible, automated safety line.”

The rail was installed on the rooftop terrace, making it possible for maintenance personnel to abseil straight down to the windows below—with maximum control, safety, and minimal structural interference.

Timing challenges: Retrofitting after building completion

Though the solution was technically sound, the project encountered a common industry problem: late-stage planning.

The LEFT complex was completed in 2022, but the XSRail Rope access solution was only installed in April 2025, meaning retrofitting was necessary.

“Unfortunately, this kind of request often comes too late in the process,” says Zwijsen. “Had we been involved during the design phase, we could’ve installed the rails on the building facade. That would’ve avoided routing lines through the parapet and allowed an even more efficient solution.”

De Maesschalk echoes this:

“If this need had been identified earlier, the rail could’ve been integrated across the entire building. That involves slightly higher upfront investment—but you save more during the operational phase. In this case, the homeowners’ association (VvE) raised concerns after complaints about dirty windows. The building manager approached us, remembering a similar project we completed nearby in Antwerp.”

A smooth collaboration between safety experts

Despite the delayed start, the collaboration between Cofapro and XSPlatforms was highly efficient.

“Koen and his colleague Stijn visited our training center in mid-February,” says Zwijsen. “The next day, we received the request for a quote and began immediately. What’s great about this project is that it shows how practical and scalable solutions can emerge when you approach fall protection with knowledge.”

Fall Protection: Often an afterthought, rarely a priority

Unfortunately, fall protection systems are still frequently overlooked during the design and construction phases—a frustration shared by many industry professionals.

“Fall protection should never be a last-minute add-on,” says Zwijsen. “It’s significantly more cost-effective and elegant to incorporate it during the initial planning. That way, it’s truly integrated into the architecture.”

This approach is something XSPlatforms actively promotes. The company collaborates with industry knowledge platforms, like De 5de Gevel, to raise awareness and educate architects, developers, and facility managers.

“When you look at fall protection holistically, you get not just safer work conditions, but also smarter, more sustainable building solutions,” says Zwijsen.

Project Takeaways: What other buildings can learn

The LEFT complex case study offers a number of important lessons for designers, developers, and building managers:

Involving fall protection specialists early in the design phase results in better-integrated, more cost-effective systems.
Modern rail systems like XSRail offer superior flexibility and safety compared to fixed anchor points.
Retrofitting is possible, but less efficient than integrated planning.
Safety systems are best viewed as long-term operational investments, not just compliance measures.

Ready to plan smart fall protection for your building?

Whether you’re designing a new urban development or upgrading safety on an existing property, early consultation with experts like Cofapro and XSPlatforms ensures compliance, cost-efficiency, and safer working environments for years to come. Contact XSPlatforms or one of our partners to explore custom fall protection systems for your building or rooftop project. Reach out to us at [email protected], or call us at +31 (0)183 56 91 11.

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Learn more via our blogs and articles:

Choosing a fall protection system, what to choose? Read our article ‘Choosing a fall protection system – lifeline or rail system?‘
XSRail Rope access the smartest way to clean facades? Read our article ‘Rope access for facade maintenance: The smartest way to clean’
Harmonizing fall protection and aesthetics? Read our article ‘Fall protection and Architects’