Fall-through protection for skylight domes

Fall-through protection is a technical safety device that prevents people from falling through a skylight dome or continuous rooflight. Particularly during maintenance, cleaning or repair work on the roof, there is a risk of accidentally stepping onto a skylight surface that does not provide sufficient support without appropriate protection.

Typical safety systems are

• Steel or aluminum gratings (mounted inside or outside)
• Stainless steel or plastic safety nets
• Fall-through-proof skylight domes and continuous rooflights
• Skylight bases with integrated safety elements
• Custom-made products made of stainless steel or aluminum
• Combined solutions with SHEV and burglary protection

The installation of fall-through protection is not an optional extra, but is clearly regulated by a large number of regulations:

• DGUV Rule 101-038 and TRBS 2121 require protection for components at risk of falling through.
• DIN EN 1873 and DIN EN 14963 define technical requirements and load-bearing capacity.
• Other relevant standards: DIN 4426, ASR A2.1 and state-specific building regulations.

There is a duty to secure in particular when:

• skylight domes or rooflights are installed on accessible roofs
• these are located in the vicinity of maintenance routes
• regular work is carried out on the roof
• there is no additional fall protection

Advantages of fall-through protection

A professionally installed fall-through protection system not only provides safety, but also economic and legal benefits:

• Protection of human life - the primary goal of any safety measure
• Legal certainty through compliance with all relevant regulations
• Avoidance of fines and liability risks
• Positive influence on insurability and risk assessment

In practice, retrofitting existing roof areas is often a challenge. Skylight domes are often not structurally designed for additional loads or the integration into existing smoke and heat extraction systems must be planned with particular care. The choice of material is also crucial: corrosion resistance, light transmission and ease of installation are important criteria.

Modern safety solutions therefore rely on modular systems, weather-resistant materials such as stainless steel or high-tech plastics and project-related planning. Transparent security elements are used in particular when daylight should continue to be used unhindered. Regular visual inspections are essential to ensure that protection is maintained in the long term. These should be carried out at least once a year - ideally as part of maintenance.

Safety can be planned

Fall-through protection for skylight domes is not an option, but a necessity. It protects lives, safeguards operations and fulfills important legal requirements. Whether for new buildings or in the context of retrofitting - early and expert planning is the key to a sustainable safety solution.

As an experienced fire protection partner, CWS Fire Safety supports companies, public institutions and operators in the selection, planning and maintenance of suitable systems - individually, in compliance with standards and with the highest standards of safety and quality.