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Case Study: Kee Guard Installation for East London University

The Project & Background

Safesite was contacted directly by a maintenance contractor responsible for facilities management at a large university campus in East London. The contractor urgently required support in designing and installing compliant roof edge protection across multiple roof areas following concerns around the safety of the existing access systems.

At the time of enquiry, the building relied on existing line systems that had been condemned and deemed unsuitable for the type of maintenance works being carried out on the roof. As a result, the client required an alternative safety solution that would allow maintenance teams to safely access the roof without relying on personal fall arrest systems or specialist harness training.

The client specifically requested a collective protection solution, providing a safer and more practical long-term approach for facilities and maintenance personnel working across the university’s roof spaces.

Recognising the urgency of the project, Safesite attended site within three days of the initial enquiry, carrying out a full survey of the roof areas and access requirements. A detailed quotation and proposed solution were then issued within 24 hours of the site visit.

Kee Guard Installation for East London University - Safesite 2
Kee Guard Installation for East London University - Safesite 1

The Challenge

The project involved several technical challenges due to the nature of the building and its roof layout.

The university building featured multiple exposed roof areas positioned at significant height, with long uninterrupted roof runs requiring continuous edge protection. The combination of building exposure, roof height, and environmental conditions meant that the design of the guardrail system required careful engineering consideration to ensure full compliance and long-term safety.

To ensure the system could safely withstand wind loading and exposure levels, Safesite carried out detailed wind speed and loading calculations as part of the design process. These calculations identified the need for additional counterweights and connected end sections to ensure the stability and compliance of the proposed system.

The Solution

Following the survey and design assessment, Safesite recommended the installation of a Kee Guard® freestanding edge protection system across the required roof areas.

Kee Guard was selected because it provided the ideal combination of safety, compliance, and practicality for the university environment:

  • Collective fall protection allowing safe roof access without harness systems.
  • Non-penetrative design protecting the roof membrane from damage.
  • Full compliance with current BS 13700 standards.
  • A durable and low-maintenance solution suitable for long-term use.

To address the exposed nature of the roof and ensure compliance with wind loading requirements, the design incorporated:

  • Additional counterweights for enhanced system stability.
  • Connected end sections to improve structural integrity across long roof runs.

The result was a robust and fully engineered roof safety system tailored specifically to the conditions of the site.

The Installation

Safesite coordinated the installation programme to meet the client’s urgent requirements while minimising disruption to the university’s day-to-day operations.

The Kee Guard system was installed efficiently and in accordance with manufacturer specifications and current safety regulations. Careful attention was given to maintaining consistent perimeter protection across all roof areas while ensuring the system remained fully compliant with the approved wind calculations.

The installation was completed successfully, allowing safe access to be reinstated for maintenance and facilities teams.

Kee Guard Installation for East London University - Safesite

The Outcome & Customer Benefits

The completed installation provided the university with a modern, compliant roof safety system that replaced the condemned line systems and significantly improved roof access safety.

Key benefits included:

  • Collective roof edge protection across multiple roof spaces.
  • Safe access for maintenance and facilities teams without reliance on harness systems.
  • Reduced need for specialist training thanks to the collective protection approach.
  • A non-penetrative solution preserving the roof structure and membrane.
  • Fully engineered design with wind-calculated stability for exposed roof conditions.
  • Rapid survey, quotation, and installation process to resolve urgent safety concerns quickly.

The new system now provides a safer and more practical long-term solution for ongoing maintenance activities across the university building.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates Safesite’s expertise in delivering engineered roof edge protection solutions for complex and exposed buildings within the education sector. By combining rapid response times with detailed technical design and compliance expertise, Safesite successfully replaced unsuitable roof safety systems with a robust collective protection solution.

With over 30 years of experience in fall protection and safe access systems, Safesite continues to support universities, schools, and public-sector organisations across the UK with tailored solutions designed to improve safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.

If your organisation requires compliant roof edge protection or replacement of outdated line systems, contact Safesite today for expert advice and a tailored safety solution designed around your site requirements.

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