Filon Products & Letchworth Roofing Produce the Fixsafe System

In order to respond to figures published by the Health & Safety Executive, Filon Products and Letchworth Roofing have jointly produced the new Fixsafe system in order to lower the amount of fatalities in the construction sector.

Fragile roofing materials have caused over one quarter of deaths through people falling through. The Fixsafe system enables operators to be able to replace roofing sheets/rooflights without actually having to stand on the roof, as it allows access from below.

The concept the Fixsafe system works to is to use internal equipment, such as a medium cherry picker, that is much safer than using external equipment such as roof staging or safety netting. Not only does this improve safety, it will also minimise disruption to residents and reduce the costs of equipment and installation.

In order to do this, fixings have been devised that will allow complete replacements of roofing sheets, fixings and/or rooflights from below. These fixings have been patented to only be able to be used from below the roof. The methodology works by removing the roofing component to be replaced, retracting it into the building and using it as a template for the replacement part, which can be done on the floor to ensure safety. To fit the replacement, Fixsafe fittings are fitted and secured both to the roofing structure and the new component. The new part is then lifted back up internally and fitted back through the hole, manoeuvred into place and then secured into place using threaded bars screwed into the fittings in the replacement part. These are then hooked around the pearling and tightened. The operation is then complete and has been carried out with the maximum safety for the roofers involved, and minimum costs and disruption to those who occupy the building.

The Fixsafe system is HSE compliant and is a complete system, meaning replacement roofing sheets and fittings are all available as a package. The replacement roofing sheets match existing popular fibre cement and asbestos profiles. It is available nationwide from Filon distributors.

Filon, based in Staffordshire, are manufacturers of GRP roofing sheets. They have been involved in a number of roofing projects, including the use of their Over-Roofing sheets at Farnham Sports Centre and Latham Vauxhall garage.

Letchwork Roofing is based in Hertfordshire and has been trading since 1971. Founded by Major K H Crofton, it has developed from a family business into one of the largest roofing companies in the South of England and the Midlands. Their clientele includes popular names such as Balfour Beatty, Carillion and Willmott Dixon Limited and their case studies include roofing work at Tesco distribution centre in Didcot and Howe Dell School in Hatfield.

For further information and a comprehensive list of companies who offer roofing services, please visit our website at http://www.buildingregister.com.