The Act creates distinct obligations for two groups: building owners and operators, who must install physical safety features, and municipalities, who must survey buildings and share data with first responders.
The Act's core mandate: low-sloped roofs adjoining enclosed spaces, including light shafts, courts, or similar interior openings, must have one of the following installed along those edges:
Skylights and Rooftop Openings
The Act also sets requirements for skylights and other openings in the plane of a low-sloped roof—among the most common causes of fatal firefighter falls, as a responder in smoke-filled conditions can step onto what appears to be a solid surface and fall through. For new construction and significant renovations, compliance is required from day one. For existing buildings, owners must assess their skylights and openings and retrofit or guard any that do not meet the standard.
Kee Safety provides engineered guardrail systems, skylight screens, and edge protection solutions for commercial and industrial rooftops across North America. Here is how our products and services address the Act's specific requirements.
Rooftop Edge Protection and Guardrails
For most existing buildings, a guardrail system is the most practical retrofit solution. Kee Safety's Kee Guard freestanding rooftop guardrail is a non-penetrating system that installs without structural modification to the roof membrane.
Skylight Fall Protection
Kee Cover skylight screens provide a rigid barrier over the opening, preventing fall-through while maintaining light transmission. Where a guardrail perimeter is preferred, the Kee Dome skylight railing surrounds the opening with a protective barrier. Both meet fall protection load requirements.
Hazard Assessment Surveys
Not sure whether your building is subject to the Act, or which features need attention? Kee Safety can put trained fall protection specialists on your roof to identify gaps and recommend solutions, a practical first step before committing to a retrofit.
Design and Installation Support
From single-building retrofits to large portfolios, Kee Safety's design and installation team can manage projects end to end, with full documentation for your compliance records.
A step-by-step plan for building owners and municipalities:
About the Author
Dan Huntington is a fall protection expert with over 10 years of hands-on experience helping companies protect workers at height. He specializes in OSHA compliance, risk assessments, and developing rooftop safety programs. Dan doesn’t just teach theory he’s regularly on rooftops identifying hazards and delivering practical, effective solutions. Formally trained in OSHA standards and risk assessment, Dan has presented at national safety events including the ASSP Expo and the Western States Roofing Expo. He leads Kee Safety’s rooftop safety experts across North America, helping organizations assess hazards and implement life-saving solutions.
Website: https://www.keesafety.com/
Email: info@keesafety.com
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