BS 13700:2021 is a relatively new guideline that details safety standards for the design, installation, testing, and inspection of permanent counterweighted guardrail systems (PCGS) or a permanent freestanding guardrail system, as you might otherwise know it. Bringing clarification around manufacturing standards and inspection must-haves, it’s an up-to-date look at edge protection when working at heights and is a key update to the British Standards that came before it, helping site owners and employers protect workers and contractors in the safest way possible.
If you haven’t seen the updated guidance, we’ve outlined everything you need to know as an introduction to BS 13700:2021.
A Quick Look at BS 13700:2021
Edge protection has come a long way in just a few decades and previous guidelines surrounding these safety systems are outdated and confusing. BS 13700:2021 aims to replace old information with clear and concise guidelines for the use of PCGS. These guardrails aren’t fixed to the structure but instead use mass and friction to protect anyone working at a height from hazardous falls.
They differ from permanent systems that are attached to the structure of the building to provide the necessary counterweight for height safety protection. Deciding which system is best depends on looking at the entire project/scope of the work and deciding which is best in terms of operational suitability. It might also be the case that the building’s structure simply isn’t suitable for installation. The location, height of the building and exposure level will also influence final installation decisions.
BS 13700:2021 should be followed by anyone designing, inspecting, and maintaining PCGS as the latest guidance. For systems installed prior to the introduction of BS 13700:2021, it is the responsibility of the site or building owner to ensure that the system is updates to meet the latest standards. Failure to do so will mean your system is non-compliant and this could cause issues down the line if a fall from height were to occur whilst using the older system.
At Altus Safety we can inspect and service older guardrail installations, and, if necessary, install a new guardrail system that suits your needs and meets all relevant safety standards.
What’s Included in BS 13700:2021
BS 13700:2021 includes vital information around 4 key areas of using PCGS, which are:
- Manufacturing design & testing
- Installation design
- System technical file
- Inspections & maintenance
To make it easier to understand the new best practices, we’ve taken a more detailed look at what each section outlines.
Manufacturing Design & Testing
When looking at the manufacturing, designing and testing of PCGS, some details remain the same as the EN 13374 Temporary Edge Protection guidelines such as serviceability and ultimate loadings. Some new key areas to remember include:
- All testing should be done at 5° pitch
- The test surface can’t include any support items that would assist the PCGS
- Testing can and should be done in both wet and dry weather to reflect real world conditions
- Horizontal perpendicular loads, horizontal parallel loads, and vertical loads should be applied to different areas of the PCGS during testing
- Working wind and combined load
Installation Design
Any PCGS installations should be designed in line with site-specific wind speed calculations that take into account location, exposure, and the height of the building the PCGS will be attached to.
When installing a PCGS, the duty holder should carry out a wind speed calculation for the site following the wind loading criteria that can be found in BS EN 1991-1-4:2005+A1:2010. It’s also crucial that the wind loading criteria outlined in BS EN 1991 are followed when carrying out the final installation.
Do note that in order to comply with these regulations, you’ll need to keep any calculations made in order to provide them if asked, proving you’ve taken into account wind speed when the system was first installed. This can include software programmes that carry out the calculations automatically which can also keep up-to-date wind speed calculations should site conditions change over time, meaning recertification technicians can be confident in your system design and performance even with new conditions.
System Technical File
In line with the guidance outlined in BS 7883:2019, every PCGS installation requires a System Technical File produced by the system designer. Upon installation, the System Technical File will be passed onto the duty holder (usually the site or business owner/health and safety manager) and should be kept for the lifespan of the guardrail. This can be stored with other health and safety files following the best practice requirements laid out in the CDM Regulations 2015.
Within the System Technical File, details of the system design and layout should be included alongside any design calculations and wind speed calculations. The details included must prove compliance with safety and test requirements. Product details and their specific standard should be recorded, as well as proof that the installation has been carried out to the system design calculations including correct height, counterbalance system, etc.
The BS 13700:2021 guidelines state that the System Technical File should be readily available to any person conducting an inspection or maintenance of PCGS.
Inspection and Maintenance
Before use, inspections, checks, and maintenance should be performed following the recommendations of the manufacturer of the edge protection system. BS 13700:2021 has laid out best practices for yearly inspections of any permanently installed counterbalanced guard system that follows the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The guidelines also specify that a further wind speed calculation should be carried out and applied after installation and during the annual inspections. The new regulations will also apply to any existing PCGS meaning that wind speed calculations will need to be applied retrospectively to any systems already in use.
After maintenance and checks, duty holders should be given a complete report of the findings and a thorough summary of the condition of the PCGS.
Stay in the Loop
There are frequent changes to the regulations around working at heights in the UK that are crucial to keep up with. To learn more about BS 13700:2021 or any of the height safety best practices, get in touch with Altus.
As the UK’s leading specialists in fall protection and height safety systems, we’ll make compliance easy, designing, installing and regularly maintaining your systems according to the latest regulations, so you don’t need to worry.