Data centres rooftops are often critical, yet hazardous, areas housing vital HVAC and cooling infrastructure. Ensuring safe and efficient access for maintenance and inspections is paramount for preventing downtime and protecting personnel. As data centre designers, incorporating a well-planned rooftop walkway system from the outset is not just best practice – it’s a fundamental safety requirement.
This comprehensive checklist guides you through the essential considerations for integrating a compliant and effective rooftop walkway system into your data centre designs. By addressing these points early, you can create a safer environment for future maintenance crews and ensure the long-term integrity of your facility.
Initial Assessment and Planning
Identify Access Needs:
- Where is rooftop access required for maintenance of HVAC units, cooling towers, generators, or other equipment?
- What is the frequency of access needed for each area?
- Are there designated access routes already planned or existing?
Evaluate Roof Layout and Obstructions:
- Document all existing rooftop equipment, including dimensions and spacing.
- Identify potential trip hazards (pipes, conduits, cable trays).
- Note any changes in roof level or direction.
- Consider the weight-bearing capacity of different roof sections.
- Map out potential walkway routes, prioritising direct and logical paths.
Compliance with Regulations:
- Familiarise yourself with relevant UK Work at Height Regulations and any other applicable safety standards.
- Consider the need for collective protection measures as the primary solution.
- Factor in wind loads and other environmental factors relevant to rooftop structures in the UK.
Future Considerations:
- Anticipate potential future equipment upgrades or additions that may require walkway extensions or modifications.
- Design for ease of future inspection and maintenance of the walkway system itself.
Walkway System Design and Specifications
Material Selection:
- Specify durable, non-corrosive materials suitable for the UK climate (e.g., galvanised steel, aluminium).
- Consider the weight of the system and its impact on the roof structure.
Walkway Width and Clearance:
- Ensure sufficient walkway width for safe and comfortable passage, considering personnel carrying tools or equipment.
- Maintain adequate vertical clearance above the walkway to avoid head injury hazards.
Anti-Slip Properties:
- Specify walkway surfaces with effective anti-slip properties, crucial for wet or icy conditions common in the UK.
- Consider incorporating features like raised treads or open mesh designs.
Edge Protection:
- Integrate modular guardrail systems along all open edges of the walkway, platforms, and steps.
- Specify appropriate guardrail height and toe board requirements in accordance with regulations.
- Include self-closing gates at all walkway access points to prevent accidental falls.
Integration with Access Points:
- Plan seamless connections between the walkway system and access points such as roof hatches and ladders.
- Incorporate stepovers to safely traverse pipes, ducts, and other low-level obstructions.
- Ensure safe transitions onto and off ladders, potentially with integrated platforms.
Load Capacity:
- Specify the required load-bearing capacity of the walkway system to accommodate personnel and any anticipated equipment or tools.
- Provide clear load rating information in the design documentation.
Drainage:
- Incorporate adequate drainage into the walkway design to prevent water pooling, which can create slip hazards and contribute to corrosion.
Installation and Maintenance Considerations
Ease of Installation:
- Design with modularity in mind for easier and faster installation, minimising disruption to data centre operations.
- Specify clear installation instructions and consider the need for specialised tools or equipment.
Inspection and Maintenance Access:
- Ensure the walkway system itself allows for easy inspection and maintenance of its components.
- Consider access points for cleaning and repairs.
Earthing/Bonding:
- Address any earthing or bonding requirements for the metal walkway system to prevent electrical hazards.
Documentation and Communication
Detailed Drawings: Provide comprehensive drawings clearly indicating the layout, dimensions, materials, and load ratings of the walkway system.
Specifications: Include detailed specifications for all components, ensuring compliance with relevant standards.
Risk Assessment: Document the initial risk assessment that informed the walkway system design.
Installation Instructions: Provide clear and concise installation instructions for the contractors.
Maintenance Manual: Include a comprehensive maintenance manual outlining inspection procedures and maintenance schedules.
Communication: Clearly communicate the design and safety features of the walkway system to data centre operators and maintenance personnel.
By meticulously working through this checklist, data centre designers can proactively integrate safe and efficient rooftop access solutions.
KATT Safety Solutions
KATT Safety offers a comprehensive range of rooftop walkway systems designed to ensure safe and efficient access for data centre maintenance personnel. Our solutions are specifically engineered to accommodate crews requiring access to rooftop infrastructure.
Our modular designs can be configured to suit your requirements, and their aluminium composition offers a lightweight solution with superior resistance to corrosion.
Fixed Walkway Systems
Our Fixed Walkway Systems are best-in-class, permanent walkways that provide safe access routes for workers.
They are available in multiple configurations depending on the requirements of your data centre rooftop, and guardrails are available to ensure your workers are safe while conducting maintenance work.
Modular Access Systems
Our aluminium stair, platform and step over systems provide secure access to roof decks, service platforms and other maintenance areas. Our Modular Access System range is manufactured from aluminium, meaning it is lightweight, durable and resistant to corrosion.
- Stairs
- Step Overs
- Platforms
- Structures & Suspended Walkways
Get in Touch
Partnering with experts like KATT Safety ensures that your walkway system not only meets regulatory requirements but also provides a long-lasting and reliable safety infrastructure for those working on data centre rooftops.
Contact KATT Safety today to discuss your specific data centre rooftop access needs.
