Especially when working on the roofs on which the solar power plant was installed, a reliable fall protection system is essential for preventing accidents.
“For us the safety of our employees has the highest priority,” says Andreas Grubmüller, plant manager of the Austrian metal packaging factory PirloGmbH & Co KG. A particular challenge was that the roofs were at various heights and pitches, and this further increased the fall risk. Find out how INNOTECH & Aerocompact met these challenges.
Challenge: Complex roof constructions and safety requirements
Pirlo was faced with the task of installing the solar power modules, having a total output of 630 kWp, on four roof surfaces. However, these roofs differ in their structures and in some cases there are significant height differences.
These complex circumstances significantly increased the risk of falls, especially during maintenance tasks. The challenge lay in finding a solution which was able to overcome these height differences and the particular circumstances on the roofs.
Technical specifications of the solar power plant:
- Total output: 630 kWp
- Distribution: Installation on four different roof areas
- Particular challenges:
- Differing roof pitches
- Various heaight levels
- Complex roof structures
The safety solution not only had to ensure the safety of the employees, it also had to maximise the efficiency of servicing and maintenance of the solar power plants. At the same it had to be ensured that there would be no roof penetrations, in order to minimise the risk of leaks and stumbling events.
Solution: Integrated fall protection directly onto the module substructure
After thorough investigation, Pirlo decided in favour of a custom solution: The fall protection system was integrated directly into the Aerocompact module substructure. The combination of the Aerocompact solution and the AIO lifeline system from INNOTECH provided the ideal safety, without additionally loading the roofs or creating stumbling events.
Florian Kalt, Facility & Safety manager at Pirlo, explains: “It was important to us to find a compact and effective solution which provides both the photovoltaic system and the fall protection system from a single source. For us, the smooth progress of the installation and the avoidance of roof penetrations were decisive advantages.”
By integrating the fall protection into the module substructure, it was possible to avoid unnecessary intrusions into the roof structure. The solution was a winner not just because of its effectiveness, but also because of its long working life and flexibility, because it can be optimally adapted to the various roof characteristics.
Advantages of the INNOTECH solution: Safety and efficiency of the solar power plant are combined
The fall protection system makes it possible for Pirlo’s employees to perform servicing tasks on the roofs safely and efficiently. The avoidance of stumbling events and roof penetrations maintains the integrity of the roofs. This is of particular importance for older buildings, such as those at Pirlo.
“We were convinced by INNOTECH providing us with a solution by which can be integrated seamlessly into the existing PV infrastructure,” adds Florian Kalt. “The collaboration with INNOTECH ran completely smoothly, and the fall protection system was installed quickly and efficiently, without any delays or additional coordination efforts.”
INNOTECH’s AIO lifeline system ensures that the annual servicing tasks can be performed without risk.
Benefits of the INNOTECH solution at a glance
- Penetration-free installation directly onto the module substructure
- Integration of the AIO lifeline system for maximum safety
- Flexible adaptation to differing roof circumstances
- Prevention of stumbling
- Long-lasting, maintenance-friendly design
Collaboration and project success
The collaboration between Pirlo and INNOTECH was characterised by trust and a clear focus on safety.
Safe and flexible solution!
“For us it was important to find a partner who not only offered a safe solution, but who also approached the our project requirements flexibly,” emphasises Andreas Grubmüller. INNOTECH was able to fulfil these requirements and, with its integrated solution, to make a sustainable contribution to safety at work.
The combination of solar power plant and fall protection in a single solution not just ensures employee safety, it also provides problem-free operation and servicing of the equipment. This is not only beneficial for the efficiency of the power generation, it also contributes to safety at work in general.
Project outcomes
- Successful installation of a 630 kWp solar power plant
- Implementation of an uninterrupted safety concept
- Guaranteeing safe access for servicing
- No impairment of roof structure
- Optimised servicing efficiency
