BS 13700:2021 is a relatively new guideline that details safety standards for the design, installation, testing, and inspection of permanent counterweighted guardrail systems (PCGS). Bringing clarification around manufacturing standards and inspection must-haves, it’s an up-to-date look at edge protection when working at heights. 

If you haven’t seen the updated guidance, we’ve outlined everything you need to know as an introduction to BS 13700:2021. 

A Quick Look at BS 13700:2021

Edge protection has come a long way in just a few decades and previous guidelines surrounding these safety systems are outdated and confusing. BS 13700:2021 aims to replace old information with clear and concise guidelines for the use of PCGS. These guardrails aren’t fixed to the structure but instead use mass and friction to protect anyone working at a height from hazardous falls. 

BS 13700:2021 should be followed by anyone designing, inspecting, and maintaining PCGS. 

What’s Included in BS 13700:2021

BS 13700:2021 includes vital information around 4 key areas of using PCGS, which are:

• Manufacturing design & testing

• Installation design

• System technical file

• Inspections & maintenance

To make it easier to understand the new best practices, we’ve taken a more detailed look at what each section outlines.

Manufacturing Design & Testing

When looking at the manufacturing, designing and testing of PCGS, some details remain the same as the EN 13374 Temporary Edge Protection guidelines such as serviceability and ultimate loadings. Some new key areas to remember include:

• All testing should be done at 5° pitch

• The test surface can’t include any support items that would assist the PCGS

• Testing can and should be done in both wet and dry weather

• Horizontal perpendicular loads, horizontal parallel loads, and vertical loads should be applied to different areas of the PCGS during testing

• Working wind and combined load

Installation Design

Any PCGS installations should be designed in line with site-specific wind speed calculations that take into account location, exposure, and the height of the building the PCGS will be attached to.

When installing a PCGS, the duty holder should carry out a wind speed calculation for the site following the wind loading criteria that can be found in BS EN 1991-1-4:2005+A1:2010. It’s also crucial that the wind loading criteria outlined in BS EN 1991 are followed when carrying out the final installation.

Do note that in order to comply with these regulations, you’ll need to keep any calculations made in order to provide them if asked, proving you’ve taken into account wind speed. This can include software programmes that carry out the calculations automatically.

System Technical File

In line with the guidance outlined in BS 7883:2019, every PCGS installation requires a System Technical File produced by the system designer. Upon installation, the System Technical File will be passed onto the duty holder and should be kept for the lifespan of the guardrail. This can be stored with other health and safety files following the best practice requirements laid out in the CDM Regulations 2015. 

Within the System Technical File, details of the system design and layout should be included alongside any design calculations and wind speed calculations. The details included must prove compliance with safety and test requirements. 

The BS 13700:2021 guidelines state that the System Technical File should be readily available to any person conducting an inspection or maintenance of PCGS.

Inspection and Maintenance

Before use, inspections, checks, and maintenance should be performed following the recommendations of the manufacturer of the edge protection system. BS 13700:2021 has laid out best practices for yearly inspections of any permanently installed counterbalanced guard system that follows the manufacturer’s recommendations.

The guidelines also specify that a further wind speed calculation should be carried out and applied after installation and during the annual inspections. The new regulations will also apply to any existing PCGS meaning that wind speed calculations will need to be applied retrospectively to any systems already in use.

After maintenance and checks, duty holders should be given a complete report of the findings and a thorough summary of the condition of the PCGS.

Stay in the Loop

There are frequent changes to the regulations around working at heights in the UK that are crucial to keep up with. To learn more about BS 13700:2021 or any of the height safety best practices, get in touch with Altus. As the UK’s leading specialists in fall protection and height safety systems, we’ll make compliance easy.