Project Overview
When a horizontal lifeline system at Panorama Apartments in Perth CBD was found non-compliant, ESM Strata engaged RISSafety to decommission it and install a compliant replacement.
Two existing wall-mounted lifelines had been identified as non-compliant, which meant contractors and abseil technicians had no certified system to work from when accessing the roof edge. RISSafety removed the old lines, installed an engineered replacement, and added fall restraint anchors. The completed system was then load tested and certified for use. From the initial site visit to completion, the project took no more than three weeks.
The Challenge
Panorama Apartments needed a reliable way for workers to access the roof edge for maintenance, inspection and facade work. The existing lifeline system could no longer support that safely. The brief set out four requirements:
- Decommission the existing non-compliant lifeline system and replace it with a compliant, engineered fall-protection system.
- Provide additional fall restraint anchors for contract workers and abseil technicians at the roof edge.
- Install into the building’s concrete tilt panel and load test to the appropriate rating.
- Certify the system after installation to confirm compliance and safe access.
A non-compliant system is not simply a maintenance item. Until it is rectified, the building owner has no documented basis for allowing anyone to work at height on that roof, and contractors are left making judgement calls about equipment they cannot verify.
The RISSafety Solution
Following a site inspection, RISSafety carried out a full replacement rather than an attempted repair. When a lifeline system is assessed as non-compliant, replacement is often the only way to restore a documented, certified fall-protection solution.
Decommissioning the existing lifelines
RISSafety decommissioned both non-compliant horizontal lifelines. The old lines were safely disposed of, and the site was left clear of debris and obstructions.
Installing an engineered replacement system
A completely new horizontal lifeline system was installed using chemical anchoring into the building’s concrete tilt panel. Installing into an existing structure requires the fixing method to suit the substrate, which is why engineered roof safety systems on established buildings are designed site by site rather than selected from a catalogue.
Load testing and certification
Once the chemical anchoring had fully cured, RISSafety carried out a load test on the installed system and fitted a RISSafety compliance tag. This gave the building a clear, documented record that the installation had been tested and certified.
Additional fall restraint anchors
Alongside the lifeline replacement, RISSafety installed additional fall restraint anchor systems to give contract workers and abseil technicians certified attachment points at the roof edge, widening the range of work that can now be carried out safely without temporary arrangements.
Project Outcome
Safe roof access at Panorama Apartments has been restored, with a system that is documented, tested and certified. This ensures the system is fit for purpose, and building owners and contractors can feel confident that work at height can be safely carried out and in line with compliance requirements.
Key outcomes summary:
- Two non-compliant horizontal lifelines decommissioned and safely removed.
- A new engineered horizontal lifeline system installed into the concrete tilt panel.
- Load testing completed and the system tagged with a RISSafety compliance tag.
- Additional fall restraint anchors installed for contractors and abseil technicians.
- Reliance on the existing non-compliant system removed entirely.
- Improved work-at-height controls supporting ongoing roof maintenance and inspection.
- Completed within three weeks of the initial site visit.
Certification, however, is not the finish line. Once a system is installed, it still requires regular inspections and recertification over time to ensure it stays safe and fit for use as it weathers and ages.
Common Questions About Replacing an Existing Roof Safety System
Can a non-compliant horizontal lifeline be repaired instead of replaced?
Sometimes, but not always. Non-compliance may be caused by the design, the fixings, the substrate, or the condition of the components. Full replacement is often the more reliable route because it produces a newly engineered, tested and certified system rather than a partial fix on an installation that cannot be fully verified. An inspection is the first step in determining which applies.
Who can rectify or replace roof safety anchor points on a commercial building?
Rectification work should be carried out by a height safety specialist who can design the replacement, install it correctly into the existing structure, load test it and issue certification. RISSafety provides all of this as a single scope, which avoids the gap that occurs when different parties handle installation and certification.
Can height safety equipment be retrofitted to an existing building?
Yes. Retrofitting is common on established commercial and residential buildings, including high-rise apartments. The system is designed around the existing structure, with the fixing method chosen to suit the substrate. At Panorama Apartments, the replacement lifeline was chemically anchored into the building’s concrete tilt panel.
Does RISSafety work on buildings in Perth?
Yes. RISSafety designs, installs, inspects and certifies roof safety systems across Australia, including Perth CBD and the wider metropolitan area.
If your current system needs reviewing, we can help. Request an inspection or discuss a replacement. Talk to our team today.
