Secure Anchor Systems gives a rundown on its fall arrest products.

Q: Describe the product.

A: Secure Anchor Systems manufactures and supplies fall arrest roof anchors for all types of roofing in the domestic, industrial and commercial sectors. The anchors can be fitted by anyone with appropriate competencies for working at height and comply with relevant Australian Standards. The roof anchors can be used on metal deck, tiles, slate and American Shingles’ roof linings.

Q: How is the product installed?

A: Secure Anchor Systems products are typically surface mounted, removing the need in most instances of accessing the roof cavity to source structural roof members and prevent damage to roof components such as sisalation and insulation. Surface mounting also alleviates the probable impact of an anchor compromising the structure, especially roof trusses.

Oversized holes and penetrations through structural members are avoided, omitting the need to seek additional engineering advice. These problems are associated with common fixing methods such as bolts drilled through the centre of rafters or top chords of a truss reducing effective depth and possibly voiding manufacturers’ warranties.

With metal deck roofing applications, fall arrest anchors such as the Corrugator® are typically screwed into the surface of the roof sheet with a nominal fixing picking up a batten or purlin.

Q: What is the product made of?

A: All Secure Anchor Systems permanent fall arrest anchors are manufactured from 304 stainless steel, which is less reactive with common roof sheeting materials than higher grade stainless steels such as marine grade. Marine grade steels are difficult to fix to mild steel structural elements such as purlins and there is a limited and restrictive range of fixings that can be utilised with them.

Secure Anchor Systems uses and only recommends Buildex fasteners with its products. Buildex fasteners provide outstanding performance and Climaseal coatings, enabling secure and passive fixing to all standard structures.

All Secure Anchor Systems anchors use an appropriate EPDM separation strip, equivalent to that used on roofing screws to prevent conductivity between the stainless steel anchor and the roof sheeting material. This specific EPDM has been sourced to satisfy roofing manufacturers’ requirements and prevent voiding roof warranties.
All EPDM’s are not the same, as cheaper ones typically have a higher carbon content. Care must be taken as higher carbon contents can produce conductivity between the roof sheeting and roof anchor.

Q: Is the design new or have any unique features?

A: Yes. The anchors for metal roof sheeting have been developed and manufactured in Australia, covered by patents and are now being exported around the world. Secure Anchor Systems prides itself on assisting customers to provide OH&S compliance and peace of mind for those needing to work at heights.

The anchors are designed to fit various roof profiles such as corrugated iron and square ribbed panels, which prevent ‘unwashed areas’. These unwashed areas come about due to bridging between ribs on roof sheeting and promote the build-up of detritus such as leaf litter. Unwashed areas can also void warranties.

The anchor utilises the shear strength of the roof sheeting when manufactured in accordance with AS1397 (2001) and fixed in accordance with the Building Code of Australia and applicable roofing standards. This, coupled with the anchor’s ultimate strength rating of 15 kN, allows for use on all buildings without the need of additional engineering.

Secure Anchor Systems anchors are low profile and can also be supplied powdercoated to match Colorbond® Steel colours, providing a reduced visual impact and seamless integration with modern roof lines.

Q: What accreditation has this product been awarded?

A: All fall arrest roof anchors supplied by Secure Anchor Systems meet benchmarks required in the Australian Standard 1891.4 (2009). The standard stipulates that fall arrest roof anchors must have a minimum ultimate strength in the direction of loading of 15 kN for a single person and 21 kN for two person attachment.
Secure Anchor Systems recommends against two persons attaching to a single anchor at any time, irrespective of ultimate strength ratings. A number of anchor products are marketed at 22 kN and this is not the minimum or standard required strength stated in AS1891.4 (2009).

Q: How does the product compare to similar products?

A: Secure Anchor Systems products can be installed in as little as 90 seconds. The anchors complement readily sourced fastenings used with standard on-site tools such as a cordless drill. If fasteners are dropped or lost prior to installation, they can be easily sourced locally, nor do they need investment in specialised tools for fixing the anchors, another barrier to installation.

Q: What is your point of difference in the market?

A: Secure Anchor Systems has one priority in manufacturing and developing roof anchors – to assist workers implement height safety with a minimum of fuss and as easily as possible. There is a cultural shift growing amongst construction workers that even though experience has dictated they are yet to fall from heights, using fall prevention systems for even the simplest of tasks is well worth the effort and not worth the risk.