Financial Services Office

Select Access was appointed to upgrade existing roof-access and fall-protection infrastructure for a financial services office facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The works addressed several elements of the established roof arrangement, including an existing access ladder and cable-based fall-protection systems. The project scope comprised removing and replacing the ladder, removing the redundant cable systems, installing freestanding guardrail and providing fixed guardrail around rooftop plant. The objective was to create a more practical permanent access arrangement while increasing the use of collective protection for personnel undertaking future inspection, servicing and maintenance within the roof and plant areas.

The existing access ladder and designated cable-based systems were carefully removed before the replacement infrastructure was installed. The new aluminium ladder was positioned in accordance with the approved technical drawings, with its brackets, fixing points, exit clearance and surrounding guardrail checked before completion. Freestanding guardrail was assembled in counterweighted sections and installed to EN 14122-3:2016, while fixed guardrail was anchored around the relevant plant area. A gate was incorporated where required to maintain access through the protected zone. All completed components were inspected against the design, fixings were checked and photographic records were prepared for the project handover.

The upgraded arrangement provides a clearer and more robust means of accessing and working within the building’s roof areas. Replacing the existing ladder improved the permanent vertical-access provision, while the fixed and freestanding guardrail created collective protection around identified edges and rooftop plant. Removing the superseded cable-based systems also simplified the roof’s safety infrastructure and aligned the protection more closely with the way the relevant areas are accessed. The completed package demonstrates Select Access’s ability to assess existing arrangements and deliver a coordinated upgrade combining removal, replacement and installation works within an established commercial property.