Fall protection railings – also called safety guardrails or roof edge guardrails – are the preferred specification for working at height under the OSHA, EN, and ISO 45001 hierarchies of control. Because a railing physically prevents workers from reaching the fall hazard, it eliminates the human-factor risk that personal fall arrest equipment depends on (correct PPE selection, training, daily inspection, post-fall rescue). XSPlatforms supplies the KeeGuard family of free-standing fall protection railings: KeeGuard for flat roofs, KeeGuard Topfix for standing seam and trapezoidal metal roofs, KeeGuard Premium for solar-array roofs, and KeeGuard Lite for short-perimeter or low-traffic installations. All are tested to OSHA 1910.29, OSHA 1926.502, EN 13374 Class A, and BS 13700:2021.
What is a fall protection railing? Quick definition
A fall protection railing – also called a safety guardrail or roof edge guardrail – is a permanent or temporary barrier installed at an unprotected edge to physically prevent workers from reaching the fall hazard. Under the hierarchy of controls in OSHA 1926.502, EN 13374, and ISO 45001, a railing is classified as ‘collective fall protection’ and is the preferred specification wherever it is feasible. Collective protection ranks above personal fall arrest because it eliminates the human-factor failure modes of PPE-based systems: workers cannot forget to wear a railing, training requirements are minimal, and a single audit verifies protection for every worker on the roof.
SAFETY GUARDRAILS AS ROOF EDGE PROTECTION
Roof edge fall protection railings – classified as ‘collective fall protection’ under OSHA 1910.29 and EN ISO 45001 – protect every worker on the roof without depending on individual harness training or PPE inspection. XSPlatforms supplies modular roof edge guardrail systems for every common roof construction: bitumen and PVC membranes (KeeGuard standard), trapezoidal profile metal roofs and standing seam metal roofs (KeeGuard Topfix), and full-roof solar array installations (KeeGuard Premium).
Designed and approved to meet the following standards:
KEE GUARD SAFETY RAIL
The Kee Guard safety rail is a free-standing, non-penetrating fall protection railing system. Because the system is held in place by counterweights placed along the horizontal beam (rather than fixings drilled into the roof), there is zero risk of roof membrane penetration, zero risk of leaks, and the system can be removed or relocated if the building use changes. This makes Kee Guard the right specification for: existing buildings where the roof warranty would be voided by penetrations, leased properties where the tenant cannot make permanent alterations, solar-array roofs where every fixing is an additional leak risk, and temporary multi-week construction projects where the system will be redeployed afterwards.
Each counterweight is engineered to resist the wind load specified by AS/NZS 1170.2 and BS 6399 Part 2 (the wind codes most commonly applied to roof edge protection), so the system is stable in service without anchoring. Standard configurations are validated for wind exposure on buildings up to typical commercial heights; for taller structures or unusually exposed sites, additional counterweight or anchored variants are available.
The Kee Guard standard system is compliant with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.29(b) and 1926.502(b), EN 13374 Class A (temporary edge protection), BS 13700:2021 (permanent edge protection), and CSA Z459.1-16. It is suitable for flat roofs and roofs with up to 5 degrees of slope. For roofs with greater slope or for non-membrane roof constructions like standing seam metal or trapezoidal sheet, the Kee Guard Topfix variant is the right specification.
Collective vs personal fall protection: which to specify
The single most important decision in any roof safety specification is the type of fall protection used. Two categories exist:
- Collective fall protection = guardrails, parapets, safety nets. Protects everyone on the roof regardless of training. Minimal ongoing compliance burden.
- Personal fall protection = harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, anchor points. Protects only the workers who put it on correctly. Requires daily inspection, annual training, harness checks, post-fall rescue procedures.
The ISO 45001 / OSHA hierarchy of controls is unambiguous: collective protection ranks above personal protection. Specify collective wherever the building geometry, aesthetic, or use pattern allows it. Use personal fall protection when collective is not feasible: roof edges hidden by parapets, architecturally protected facades, partial-perimeter access points, or temporary work areas where a guardrail cannot be installed.
In practice, most roofs use a combination: a permanent KeeGuard perimeter guardrail for collective protection, plus an XSLinked or XSRail system for the work zone where collective protection is not feasible (above sensors, around skylights, near rooftop equipment).
KEE GUARD SAFETY GUARDRAILS
WE AND OUR PARTNERS OFFER THE FOLLOWING KEE GUARD SYSTEMS
With the Kee Guard, we focus on safety railings that provide fall protection on various roofing materials. Thanks to convenient connectors and modular components, this collective fall protection can not only be mounted on parapets and support walls but also be arranged in various configurations. Want to combine Kee Guard with roof access? That’s also possible. It can be equipped with self-closing gates, cage ladders, or roof access hatches. In short, Kee Guard safety guardrails are the ultimate form of collective fall protection.
Kee Guard®
The standard Kee Guard system is an excellent choice for both temporary and permanent guardrails. Based on the specific requirements, the uprights can be spaced up to 2.5 meters apart.
Kee Guard® Topfix
The Kee Guard Topfix is specifically designed for standing seam and trapezoidal roofs and is the only system in the range without a counterweight. The uprights are mounted on a base plate and secured with rivets. When installed in sequence, the uprights are connected by knee and handrails.
Kee Guard® Premium
The Kee Guard Premium is ideal for full roofs, such as those with solar panels, because the uprights take up less space compared to Kee Guard and Kee Guard Lite. The uprights are inserted directly into a counterweight, making them compact and minimizing both space usage and fall hazards.
Kee Guard® Lite
Kee Guard Lite is the aluminum equivalent of the standard Kee Guard, making it the lightest type in the range.
Unlike the standard version, Kee Guard Lite uses fewer counterweights, but it also offers shorter spacing between uprights.
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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF KEE GUARD SAFETY GUARDRAILS?
Versatility
The most stabile and versatile rooftop fall protection solution, including membrane, metal profile, and standing seam roofs. The solution has been recognized for his flexibility and can be used on everything from complex roof shapes to those that change in elevation.
Longevity
The hot-dipped, galvanized finish is corrosion-resistant and requires little-to-no maintenance for safe, dependable, and trouble-free rooftop guardrail edge protection. Kee Guard safety railing offers long-term rooftop fall protection solutions.
Easy installation
To assemble Kee Guard, you will need a torque wrench or hex key, making it incredibly easy to install. Once in place, it is a safe, versatile system that delivers reliable leading edge rooftop fall protection.
Strong and safe
Kee Guard is built using counter-weight engineering. Its simple cantilever design provides superior strength and safety in even the harshest of environments. In addition, the heavy-duty bases are manufactured using eco-conscious, recycled PVC.
FAQ – KEE GUARD SAFETY GUARDRAILS
Kee Guard is a freestanding, modular safety railing designed to provide fall protection on flat and lightly sloped roofs without the need for attachment to the roof structure.
Yes, Kee Guard complies with European laws and regulations for fall protection. The system is designed and tested according to relevant European standards, such as EN 13374 for temporary edge protection and EN 14122 for permanent access systems. This ensures that Kee Guard provides reliable and safe fall protection in accordance with European safety regulations.
Yes, Kee Guard complies with American laws and regulations for fall protection. The system meets OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards, specifically OSHA 29 CFR 1910.29 for fall protection systems. This ensures that Kee Guard provides effective and reliable fall protection in compliance with U.S. safety regulations.
Kee Guard is suitable for most roof types, including flat and lightly sloped roofs. The system is modular and can be adapted to various roofing materials such as steel, concrete, and bitumen. For specific roof types like standing seam and trapezoidal roofs, Kee Safety offers specialized versions such as Kee Guard Topfix. This makes Kee Guard applicable in a wide range of situations.
Kee Guard is installed without needing to be attached to the roof structure. The system consists of modular components such as uprights, base plates, and connectors that are easily assembled. The uprights are placed into counterweights for stability. This design allows for quick and easy installation without the need to drill into the roof or cause damage to the roof surface.
Yes, Kee Guard is highly flexible and can be customized to fit various roof shapes and obstacles. Its modular design allows components to be easily configured around corners, drains, vents, and other roof obstacles. This ensures continuous and effective fall protection, regardless of the complexity of the roof layout.
Kee Guard requires minimal maintenance due to its durable materials, such as galvanized steel or aluminum, which are weather-resistant. Regular visual inspections are recommended to check for any wear, loose connections, or damage to the components.
Kee Guard is visible, but it is designed to be aesthetically pleasing. The system provides effective fall protection while maintaining a good appearance. The modular components can be customized to match the architectural style of the building and are available in various finishes, such as galvanized steel or powder-coated steel, to complement the existing roof and surroundings. This ensures that safety is achieved without compromising aesthetics.
Kee Guard differentiates itself from other guardrail systems through its modular design and flexibility. Key differences include:
- Modularity: Kee Guard consists of separate components that can be easily adapted to different roof shapes and conditions, unlike fixed or less flexible systems.
- Freestanding Design: Kee Guard does not need to be attached to the roof structure, which simplifies installation and prevents damage to the roof.
- Variety of Options: Kee Guard offers different types such as Kee Guard Lite, Kee Guard Premium, and Kee Guard Topfix, each designed for specific applications and roof types, providing a wide range of solutions.
- Customization Options: Kee Guard can be equipped with additional accessories like self-closing gates and access hatches, which may not be available with other systems.
- Aesthetic Choices: Kee Guard offers various finishes and colors to better match the building’s aesthetics, which may not be provided by other systems.
These features make Kee Guard a versatile choice for both temporary and permanent fall protection.
Generally, Kee Guard systems are designed for a long lifespan, often exceeding to 20 years, especially with proper maintenance. The materials used, such as galvanized steel or aluminum, are resistant to corrosion and weathering, contributing to the system’s durability.
As a fall protection supplier, XSPlatforms assists both clients and architects. If you need help with incorporating Kee Guard or our other fall protection solutions into your designs, please reach out to us via the contact form. You can download the Kee Guard BIM models here.
DOWNLOADS
To assist you in your project planning and implementation, we offer a range of downloadable resources for the Kee Guard® Safety Rail system. Below, you can access a leaflet that provides detailed information about the product and a BIM model to integrate into your design software.
MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT SAFETY RAILING?
If you have any questions about our Key Guard ® Safety Rail or need further assistance, please feel free to contact our sales and marketing team via [email protected], or press the contact form below and we will be in touch within 1 working day.
Kee Guard BIM Model
For architects and designers, our BIM model allows you to incorporate the Kee Guard system directly into your digital project plans. This object provides accurate dimensions and configurations, ensuring precise integration into your designs.
Kee Guard Leaflet
Our comprehensive leaflet offers an in-depth look at the Kee Guard system, including features, benefits, technical specifications, and installation guidelines. This document is a valuable resource for understanding how Kee Guard can meet your safety requirements.
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