01.08.2022 | PV/flat roofs

The installation of a fall protection system for your PV system on the roof requires a certain amount of expertise!

The same rules that apply in all other areas of life and work also hold true in the area of fall protection systems for PV systems installed on a roof: Solid initial and further training are of pivotal importance, especially when it comes to the correct installation and proper servicing / cleaning of the system and its individual solar panels.

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Specialist series: Absturzsicherung auf PV-Anlagen

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Guide for PV systems on the roof

Guide: Fall Protection Photovoltaic (PV)-System

This ultimate fall protection guide will help you to achieve a safe PV system on the roof. In the following, we summarise the danger areas on the roof, the liability issue and the safety solutions in a compact way. In addition, you will learn how you can generate more turnover as a solar installer.

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Elektro Scherer puts its trust in the TAURUS rail system from INNOTECH

In its practical implementation, the roof installation of PV systems together with their associated fall protection repeatedly creates specific challenges. In the case of Elektro Scherer, a TAURUS rail system from INNOTECH was attached directly to the K2 substructure of the solar power plant.

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How roof surfaces can be optimally used for the planned PV installation

With regard to PV installations on roofs, the question of competition for area often arises. This refers to competition between various types of use for the available area. The reason is that in principle all PV system operators want to free up the maximum possible amount of space for their solar power plant.

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Why should you, as PV installers, also offer the fall protection system?

We invited experts to a discussion on the subject of fall protection for PV systems on flat and pitched roofs. In this blog post we go into the most frequently asked questions related to this topic.

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Individual or collective protection? Which system is used when for PV installations on a roof?

While dangers like break-throughs or an increased fall risk close to the roof edge lurk on a flat roof, on a pitched roof the inclination itself is the greatest challenge. Discover in the following article how you can professionally protect your maintenance and cleaning staff.

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A professional safety concept for PV installations protects the wallet and the nerves

As a solar system installer, you naturally know every detail of the legal safety provisions relating to PV systems on a roof. In contrast, your clients may well be entering completely new territory which probably raises a number of additional questions. It is therefore all the more important from the outset to integrate the subject of safety into the planning of the PV system, and to create a substantiated and professional safety concept.

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Successful solar system installers are those who offer PV fall protection at the same time

Solar system installers who, in addition to the optimally appropriate PV systems, can also provide the best possible fall protection, not only have a better image than their competitors – they can also use this to create increased turnover.

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Safety increases business for solar system installers as full service providers

PV systems on the roof have been booming for quite some time. No wonder, because having your own solar power plant on the roof not only gives you much more independence in terms of energy supply, but also makes a significant contribution to the energy transition as a whole. If you also focus on the issue of safety on the roof, then as a solar installer you can leave the competition behind. In this article, you will discover how you can achieve this.

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Supporting multiple PV customers simultaneously can often become a huge challenge

Not only private households, but also businesses and companies, are relying increasingly on generating their own solar energy. The presently escalating energy prices will hasten this trend even further. For solar system installers, this creates enormous potential for winning new orders. It can then very easily happen that multiple projects or construction sites have to be managed simultaneously. And that creates a number of challenges.

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Work on a PV system on a roof

Installing one’s own PV system on a roof makes sense for a number of reasons. So that it always provides the best possible performance, workers regularly have to access the solar power plant in order to perform servicing and cleaning tasks. Who is responsible or liable for the consequences of accidents?

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PV systems on a roof – consider all danger areas, in order to protect against falls effectively

The circumstances and conditions of every single order for a PV system on a roof must always be analysed very closely, in order to implement the correct safety precautions. Solar system installers who recognise all risks and can at the same time also propose the appropriate professional and certified solution to their customers have the opportunity to position themselves as a responsible absolute expert in their area. In the medium and long term, this also has a positive effect on the sales performance of solar system installers.

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6 tips which help solar system installers to gain increased turnover from their PV installations on roofs

Even if the connection isn’t obvious at first glance, solar system installers and PV installation companies can acquire significantly more new customers with a partner who is a certified and professional manufacturer of fall protection systems for PV installations on roofs. The reason why is very simple: They are able to cover the subject of safety in the very first meeting with the customer, thereby relieving their potential clients of a large amount of research work.

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Subsequent installation of a fall protection system for PV installations on the roof

It is never too late to make the right decisions and implement them! This means that even operators of PV installations on the roof should consider whether the subsequent upgrade of their solar power plant with a professional and certified fall protection system is feasible and sensible.

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360° solutions as a guarantee for success

Solar system installers capable of including a safety solution with their PV systems hold a clear edge over the competition. You can find out why this is the case in the following article.

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4 steps are necessary for professional fall protection on the PV system on the roof

Discover all the necessary information here. In this article, we explain in summary the four steps that will lead you to your fall protection for PV systems. This much in advance, everything starts with a plan...

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The right fall protection creates more space for the PV system

Here is an example from practice. ADREX relies on its proven one-stop-shop principle, in order to largely relieve its customers of all tasks related to their own roof-mounted solar power plants. This obviously also includes the selection and installation of a professional fall protection system for the PV installation.

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Correct servicing and inspection of your PV fall protection system protects you from many problems

The fall protection for your PV system on a roof is 100% safe only if it is also inspected regularly for signs of potential wear and tear, damage, or corrosion, and for loose mounts. Discover what matters.

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The professional way to install a fall protection system for your PV system on the roof

The detailed planning of the fall protection system for your PV system on the roof is followed by what is probably the most tantalising moment of the endeavour to make your solar power plant as safe and efficient as possible: the installation; the project is finally taking concrete shape. Discover what matters in the process.

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The installation of a fall protection system for your PV system on the roof requires a certain amount of expertise!

The same rules that apply in all other areas of life and work also hold true in the area of fall protection systems for PV systems installed on a roof: Solid initial and further training are of pivotal importance, especially when it comes to the correct installation and proper servicing / cleaning of the system and its individual solar panels.

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The aspects to focus on when planning a fall protection system for the PV system on your roof

The goal to harvest as much power as possible from your own solar power plant therefore hinges on the ability to maximise the utilisation of the roof surface, while securing the trouble-free operation of the solar power plant for the long term. This requires a comprehensive plan which factors in all details and also includes a professional system that protects against falls from a height.

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Fall protection systems for your PV system installed on the roof

There are questions that come up again and again when it comes to the safety of PV systems on the roof. We have summarised the 6 most frequently asked questions by installers and solar technicians and also show the challenges of PV systems on flat and pitched roofs. The focus is always on possible safety solutions to mitigate these.

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PV systems on a flat roof can be efficient and safe at the same time

In the examination of current practice below, we show you two individual solutions for flat roofs, together with the respective challenges which may be created by one’s own solar power plant. Discover the TAURUS rail system and the AIO lifeline system using Autohaus Nägele & Sohn GmbH and Autowelt Reibersdorfer as examples.

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5 tips relating to your PV system on the roof

How to save time and money. Installing a photovoltaic system on your own roof is always a good idea, because in this way a previously completely unused surface is availed of for the sustainable production of electricity for your household or company. But so that this success story really comes into being, as early as the planning phase of your PV system you should also create a professional safety concept, or get one created.

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Professional fall protection for your PV system on pitched roofs

Installation tasks on the photovoltaic system, as well as its servicing and cleaning, represent a particular challenge. An selection of possible security solutions including advantages can be discovered in the following article. In addition, the topic of access to the PV system on the pitched roof is also covered.

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Fall protection photovoltaics

Not all roofs are the same. In the same way that roof forms differ greatly, the dangers concealed during installation and servicing and cleaning tasks on PV systems are just as variable. For this reason, we present solutions for all cases here.

The best possible functionality of your fall protection as well as an optimal performance of your PV system on the roof starts with the right and well-founded training.

Jürgen Silmbroth

The reason is that these factors ultimately determine not only the performance of the solar power plant but also the safety of the staff moving about on the roof while performing these work steps.  Besides, the law requires, for instance, that the annually recurring inspections of roof safety systems and anchorage devices be performed exclusively by certified personnel. And, for good reason as the roof ranks among the most dangers workplaces there are.

This is why we offer an exceedingly detailed and in-depth training course for all of our safety systems designed for PV systems fitted on the roof. These courses enable the solar technician or installer to complete the fastening of the protection system such that it will withstand the forces generated during the emergency of a fall and actually hold up and save lives!

 

The training courses at a glance

The best possible functionality of your fall protection as well as an optimal performance of your PV system on the roof starts with the right and well-founded training. This is because, above all, it teaches you how to install the respective safety system properly so that all maintenance and cleaning work on the solar power plant on your roof can also be carried out regularly and, above all, safely!

Therefore, we have also developed a suitable training course for each fall protection system from INNOTECH, which is offered as part of our wide-ranging INNO|school programme. The courses will turn the installers and solar technicians into experts on the corresponding fall protection system. In light of the fact that we continuously develop our products further, the certificate of competence will remain valid for 3 years before they have to be renewed. The courses are primarily held at our training centre in Austria (Laizing 10, 4656 Kirchham) or at our subsidiary in Switzerland.

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  • Expert training course:
    Within two days, the participants are not only taught the expert assembly, documentation and inspection of the respective fall protection system, but also the legal basics, the topic of apparent safety and the professional planning and documentation with the tools INNO|doc & INNO|plan. All participants receive their corresponding training certificate after positive completion. Part of this expert training are also the topics of the company HILTI - theory dowel technology according to the applicable standard and practical exercise dowel technology. The certificates are valid for 3 years. 

 

  • Rescue training course:
    This single day training course deals with the topic of rescuing and stabilising a staff member who fell victim to a fall from a height. For this purpose, the course primarily discusses the forces and energies (fall factor) produced in an emergency, possible hazards when using PPE and/or the rescue concept / the rescue chain, first-aid measures and suspension trauma as well as the correct way to put on and adjust the safety harness including hang test. The rescue training course cannot be held until after the completion of an expert training class offered by INNOTECH. The certificate remains valid for one year.

 

  • PPE training course | class:
    This course provides the participants with extensive instructions on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This single day course offers a theoretical exploration into such subject matters as basic legal principles and material science / company-specific requirements and teaches the practical application of these subject matters. The participants completing this course will be able to use personal protective equipment correctly and competently and define the personal protective equipment that is best suited for each specific use case. 

 

  • Training for fall protection on PV systems:
    In this 1-day training course, the participants are taught the theoretical and practical knowledge about the different fall protection systems for PV systems on the roof. Afterwards, the graduates are able to install the safety systems properly and professionally and to carry out the prescribed annual inspections and maintenance safely and correctly. In addition, the topics of apparent safety and the correct and complete documentation of installation and maintenance or inspection of the integrated SOPV fall protection systems are also gone through in the course of this training.

 

  • INNO|training:
    Lasting 4 to 5 hours, this training can easily be held on site as it is taught on the INNOTECH training bus that will make a stop at your construction site. This is of great benefit - especially to those companies that are unable to send their staff to the training centre. The participants completing the course will receive a certificate of training that authorises them to install our products professionally. The certificate of participation remains valid for 18 months. 
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Given that summer is the peak season for construction sites and, thus, the installation of PV systems on roofs, the training centre operated by INNOTECH will remain closed from June to September. This is yet another reason why INNO|training is well worth considering. The course allows the solar technician to complete their training on the INNOTECH products while working on roofs; this lets you start your project right away and saves you the need of waiting for the autumn.

Another option is to sign up for the training course of your choice directly during your conversation with our sales representative. The special training courses that focus on fall prevention systems for PV installations on the roof – AIO lifeline system, TAURUS rail system and EAP – are primarily held in the autumn and winter. These courses consider all specific aspects that are relevant to fall protection systems that have been installed to secure PV systems on flat and pitched roofs.

Apart from the slope on the pitched roof, these aspects also include the areas of particular danger on a flat roof and all the practical challenges the installer may encounter, such as skylights, chimneys, air conditioners or other obstacles found on the roof. Also part of the training is the installation of the fall protection system directly on the substructure of the PV system. The training / qualification furthermore covers vertical use. 

Another essential step towards ensuring fall protection for your PV system on the roof - besides installing / setting up the safety system - is documentation. Documenting the system is even required by law. This is why documentation is also part of our training courses. And: INNO|doc now lets you complete it in fully automated and digital fashion! 

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Structure of the training courses

The basis for our training program is formed by the teaching of the overall fundamentals, which are the same across all of the training courses we offer and follow the (S)TOP principle of INNOTECH – S = Substitution/T = Technical Measures /O = Organisational Measures /P = Personal Protective Measures. Once the basics have been covered, the subsequent training on the respective segment/system is split into blocks. These blocks are structured as follows:

 

  • Block 1 – SOPV: This block walks through the particulars of each specific application. With regard to fall protection for PV systems, these are the INNOTECH products AIO (lifeline systems), TAURUS (rail systems) and EAP (single anchorage points). The block is further divided into a theoretical and a practical part. à Link to block post

 

  • Block 2 – Climbing protection, transmission lines, poles, offshore: This block discusses all details needed for the planning of the installation including documentation – using planning examples and other techniques for better illustration. 

 

  • Block 3 – Industry/production: Aside from addressing the safeguarding of machinery, this block also covers the areas of production lines and cranes as well as the high-level rack, façade and roof.

 

Summary

Initial and further training provided by experts and professionals are essential and even required by law when it comes to ensuring fall protection for your PV system installed on the roof. This means: Only staff who have been certified accordingly are allowed to install and service the corresponding fall protection system. The range of training courses offered by INNOTECH is extensive and covers all areas that are relevant to your fall protection system. For more information on the training courses from INNOTECH, click here.

Simply contact us if you have further questions! Our experts will be happy to help you select the training course that is best suited for your PV system on the roof. Take advantage of our 1 + 1 offer for our new training for fall protection on PV systems until 30 September 2022. Find out more here. 

 

You will also find additional information in our new manual! 

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