Chemey

FRP handrail

Case studies

SOLAR ROOFTOP GUARDRAIL SYSTEM – ENDURAIL

Background : 

ABC Company, a manufacturing firm located in a busy commercial area of Mumbai city, had recently invested in a solar power system to reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy costs. The solar panels were installed on the conventional industrial rooftop of their manufacturing plant with a gradient of 5 deg. However, the management soon realized that maintenance and cleaning of the solar panels would require technicians to access the rooftop. This raised safety concerns since the rooftop had no safety measures in place. The management decided to install a solar rooftop guardrail to ensure the safety of workers while performing maintenance on the solar panels.

Objective:

The objective was to install a solar rooftop guardrail that would provide a safe working environment and passive fall protection for technicians while they perform maintenance on the solar panels. The guardrail should also be aesthetically pleasing, easy to install and maintain, and should not affect the efficiency of the solar panels.

SOLAR ROOFTOP GUARDRAIL
SOLAR ROOFTOP GUARDRAIL

Solution:

The management consulted with a solar installation company to design and install a solar rooftop guardrail system. The installer suggested EnduRail – a modular guardrail and walkway system that could be easily installed and customized to fit the rooftop’s dimensions. The solar installation company recommended lightweight aluminum guardrail to prevent damage to the roof’s membrane and ensure the system’s durability.
The final design included a modular guardrail system that was mounted onto the industrial troughed rooftop on which the solar panels were installed. The guardrail system consisted of a series of posts, top rail, and mid rail with Aluminum mounting plate was used. The system was designed to provide maximum coverage over the solar panels while minimizing shading and maximizing the amount of sunlight that reached the solar panels.
SOLAR ROOFTOP GUARDRAIL
SOLAR ROOFTOP GUARDRAIL
Apar Solar Roof Top railing

Installation:

The installation process took a total of three weeks. The first week was dedicated to the design and fabrication of the guardrail components. The second week involved the installation of the guardrail system mounting plates on the roof , and the third week focused on the installation of the Modular Handrail system.

Challenges:

The main challenge faced during the installation process was the rooftop’s uneven surface and different levels. The installation team had to customize the guardrail to fit the rooftop’s dimensions and ensure the system’s stability. The team also had to ensure that the installation did not affect the solar panels’ efficiency and performance.

Results:

The installation of the solar rooftop guardrail system provided a safe working environment for technicians while performing maintenance on the solar panels. The system’s modular design allowed for easy customization and installation, and the lightweight aluminum material provided durability and did not damage the roof’s membrane. The system’s installation did not affect the solar panels’ performance, and the system was aesthetically pleasing and blended well with the rooftop’s architecture.

Conclusion:

The installation of the solar rooftop modular guardrail system provided a cost-effective and practical solution for ensuring the safety of workers while performing maintenance on the solar panels. The system’s modular design and lightweight aluminum material provided durability, safety, and ease of installation and customization. The installation did not affect the solar panels’ performance, and the system blended well with the rooftop’s architecture. Overall, the solar rooftop guardrail system was an effective solution to a safety concern and provided a sustainable and safe working environment for technicians.