Case Study: Kee Line Installation for Listed Building Redevelopment

The access requirements for the listed building were established by the project design team, but the details provided were indicative only. This meant that Safesite needed to refine the layout to create a fully effective system that could:

• Accommodate the roof construction details and lead roll configuration.
• Provide safe access to the dome feature, which required a bespoke design.
• Incorporate floor-mounted anchor points in limited areas for additional fall protection.
• Include a standard access ladder to reach lower roof sections safely.

The project’s historic nature meant that traditional mounting methods could not be used in some areas, and careful coordination was required to preserve the integrity of the original roof. In addition, all installation work had to comply with relevant health and safety legislation, while ensuring long-term durability and safe access for maintenance staff.

To meet these challenges, Safesite designed and installed a custom Kee Line system, specifically engineered for the listed building’s complex roof layout.

1. Kee Line Layout

The system was carefully aligned with the roof plant and lead roll locations to provide unobstructed, safe access across all critical areas. Posts were designed to suit the lead rolls, allowing the roof flashing to be dressed to the baseplates without compromising the historic roofing. Floor-mounted anchor points were installed below raised access floors, with access panels provided and fitted by the main contractor. Eyebolts were fitted to subfloor timber joists to further enhance safety while minimising impact on the original structure.

2. Dome Feature Access

A bespoke U-shaped Kee Line system was installed around the dome feature. Intermediate brackets were fixed through vertical lead flashing and securely anchored back to the structure, ensuring that the dome could be safely accessed without damaging the historic materials. This required close collaboration with the project design team to ensure that both safety and architectural integrity were maintained.

3. Ladder Installation

To complete the access solution, a standard access ladder was installed from the lower roof area, providing safe and compliant access to elevated sections of the roof. The combination of Kee Line systems and ladder access created a fully integrated solution that allowed maintenance personnel to move safely across all roof levels.