Question:What safety regulations apply to Rooftop fall protection in North America and does KeeGuard comply?

Answer:Rooftop fall protection guidelines vary in different regions of North America. KeeGuard has been tested to comply with OSHA in the United States and the Ontario Building Code/Ministry of Labour OHS Regulations in Ontario, Canada. We will also provide test results for any special regulations or regional regulations at the request of the customer.

Question:Is KeeGuard required by Law?

Answer:In most regions of North America, building owners and employers are responsible for protecting their workers from any hazard encountered while on the job. In jobs requiring access to roofs for maintenance purposes, fall protection is usually required if workers will be coming within six feet of the roof edge.

Question:How does KeeGuard stay on the roof if it isn’t bolted through the roof membrane?

Answer:In the past, if building owners wanted to provide fall protection, they had to pierce the roof membrane with anchors for harness systems or guardrail anchors. This often meant that they had potential for costly building damage from leaks. By employing a counter balance system, KeeGuard (Patent Pending) is the first fall protection system that keeps the workers on the roof, without endangering the roof membrane itself.

Question:Is KeeGuard more expensive than using a Harness/Tie Off system?

Answer:While KeeGuard may be more expensive than an individual harness, there are many factors that make KeeGuard the best choice in fall protection:

You can’t forget to bring your KeeGuard to the job site.(It’s already there)

You can’t accidentally not attach KeeGuard to the roof. (It’s always in place, properly)

You can’t find out that you don’t have enough harnesses for all of your workers. (KeeGuard will protect all of the workers)

With KeeGuard you never need to wonder if there is a harness anchor in the roof area you need to work in. (KeeGuard protects the entire area)

Harness systems require training, proper and constant use, and an anchor that is imbedded in the roof that could later leak and cause costly water damage.

Lives have been lost in work related falls resulting from workers not using their harness system properly. KeeGuard removes the potential for that risk.

Question:Is KeeGuard intended for temporary or permanent installation?

Answer:KeeGuard was originally intended as a permanent fall protection solution, however since it is a modular system, some customers elect to move the system to various locations depending on where they are working on the roof.

Question:Is KeeGuard available direct or through regional distributors?

Answer:In some parts of the United States and Canada, KeeGuard can be supplied and installed by authorized KeeGuard distributors. Contact 1-800-851-5181 in order to speak to our KeeGuard Product Manager.

Question:Are all the materials used in the KeeGuard system protected from corrosion?

Answer:Galvanized, schedule 40 pipe is used for vertical, horizontal and counterbalance supports and Kee Klamp fittings are all galvanized at our factory. The counter balance weights are galvanized and the set screws used to assemble the fittings and pipes together are all protected by Kee Koat II® which is a special corrosion resistant coating.

Question:Can the KeeGuard system be painted?

Answer:KeeGuard can be hand painted before or after installation or powdercoated at our factory prior to shipment, at the customer’s request.

Question:Can KeeGuard be used as an anchor?

Answer:KeeGuard is not intended as an anchor to support any workers or equipment suspended off the roof.

Question:Can KeeGuard be used as a support for lights on rooftops?

Answer:Kee Guard is not intended as a light support system, however we can supply light support systems that are independent of the KeeGuard installation.

Question:How long does it take to install KeeGuard? Are special skills or tools required?

Answer:With minimal experience and simple tools, two workers can install 300 feet (100 metres) of KeeGuard in an 8 hour day. All materials should be delivered to the rooftop using a hoist, crane or other mechanical method. No power tools are required.

Question:Can KeeGuard be installed on a sloped roof?

Answer:KeeGuard can be used on any style of flat roof with a slope up to 2 degrees.

Question:Does KeeGuard need to be inspected or maintained after installation?

Answer:Once properly installed, KeeGuard is considered a permanent installation. We recommend that any fall protection system be inspected on a routine basis for maximum liability protection for the building owner.

Question:Are toe boards available on KeeGuard?

Answer:For projects where KeeGuard is used in an ongoing construction environment, where tools or materials may fall on people below the roofline, a toeboard can be supplied at the customer’s request.

Question:Can KeeGuard be used to protect snow removal workers on rooftops in cold climates?

Answer:KeeGuard is ideal for rooftop snow removal situations because the design of the system allows for protection of the worker while allowing for the snow to be pushed under the mid rail and off the roof.

Question:What prevents the counterweights from sinking into tar/gravel roof surfaces in hot climates?

Answer:KeeGuard counter balances weigh 80 pounds each and are spaced sufficiently apart to make the entire system deliver less weight per footing than the average worker who might have to walk on the roof. At the customer’s request we can provide special insulating pads under the counter weights to further protect the roof membrane in extreme heat situations.

Question:Will installation of KeeGuard reduce insurance premiums?

Answer:Insurance premiums are often impacted by steps taken by the building owner to reduce hazards to their workers. More importantly, building owners’ liability will be strictly examined if an industrial accident occurs and preventative measures (such as KeeGuard) were not taken.