The Construction Guardrail System by EDGE Fall Protection is a temporary, portable guardrail solution designed for perimeter use on commercial and industrial construction sites.
It offers robust fall protection along leading edges, floor openings, and roof perimeters, delivering the strength and compliance required by both OSHA and IBC standards.
Key Features of Our Construction Guardrail System
- Modular and Portable
- Fast Installation: Tool-minimal, quick-install components reduce labor time when installing temporary guardrail systems.
- Adjustable Lengths: Available in standardized sections (e.g., 5 ft, 8 ft, 10 ft), allowing flexible configurations to protect various perimeter lengths and corners.
- Engineered Steel Construction
- Hot-Dipped Galvanized Finish: Resists corrosion and helps extend product lifespan.
- High Load Capacity: Meets or exceeds OSHA 1910.29(b) requirements (200 lb top rail, 150 lb mid-rail load). Also tested to satisfy IBC 200 lb concentrated load / 20 lb per linear foot distributed load when installed with the recommended anchors.
- Anchorage Systems
- Versatile Base Plates: Anchor into concrete with Hilti ½” x 3½” Kwik HUS-EZ screw anchors at 3⅛” embedment depth, in either a one-anchor or two-anchor configuration (depending on OSHA- vs. IBC-specific requirements).
- Corner Configuration: Rotates 90° for corner installations without special adapters.
- Zero Permanent Deflection
- Testing (witnessed by an independent engineering firm) confirmed the system maintains its shape with no permanent bend or deformation, even under maximum test loads.
Key Applications
- General Contractor Projects
- Perfect for use once the concrete slab is poured for multi-level high rise buildings. Quickly install the temporary construction guardrail systems around perimeters, roof edges, or floor openings to ensure OSHA or IBC compliance.
- Falling Object Protection
- Integrated toe board prevents tools or materials from falling, which is especially critical on multi-story construction.
- Sidewalk Barricades & Pedestrian Control
- Serves as a secure and stable alternative to temporary fencing with weighted bases. The floor-mount system is securely fastened and far less likely to shift or tip.
- Roof or Elevated Platform Guardrails
- Once stanchions are anchored, the system provides an easily noticeable and robust barrier for workers.
Benefits of EDGE’s Construction Guardrail Systems Over Traditional Wooden Guardrails
According to many leading-edge safety solutions (including discussions referenced by Hilmerson Safety), modern steel-based guardrail systems such as the EDGE Temporary Construction Guardrail System provide advantages over basic wooden guardrails:
- Reduced Jobsite Waste
- Steel guardrails are reusable project to project, while wooden guardrails often become trash once a project wraps up.
- Consistent Quality & Durability
- Manufactured rails maintain standardized dimensions and material properties. Wood can vary in quality and is susceptible to splitting, rot, or warping.
- Faster Installation & Removal
- Prefabricated rails and base plates typically install faster than cutting and nailing wood on site. Removal is also simpler, reducing labor costs.
- Reduced Liability
- Engineered and tested steel guardrails are specifically certified to meet OSHA/IBC performance criteria, whereas wood-based solutions often rely on field improvisation and may not be tested to the same standards.
- Cleaner Aesthetic
- Professional, uniform steel rails improve the overall site appearance, which can be important in higher-visibility or public-facing projects.
Temporary Construction Guardrail Systems: Installation & Use Guide
- Concrete Requirements
- Typically, use a 5″ thick slab (minimum) with 2,500 psi concrete strength (OSHA) or 4,000 psi (IBC).
- Maintain a 6″ edge distance from the anchor’s center to the slab edge.
- Anchors & Setup
- Use Hilti ½” x 3½” Kwik HUS-EZ anchors (3⅛” embedment).
- For IBC compliance, utilize two anchors per base plate (spaced 5¼”).
- Insert stanchions into base plates, secure rails with pins, and add toe boards as needed.
- Maintenance & Inspections
- Periodically confirm anchor tightness and inspect for any damage (e.g., severe corrosion).
- Quickly disassemble and relocate as site conditions evolve.
Tested & Certified Perimeter Safety System
- OSHA 1910.29(b)(1)–(b)(9)
- The guardrail system satisfies the required 200 lb concentrated load at the top rail (and 150 lb at mid-rail).
- IBC Requirements
- Certified for a 200 lb concentrated load and 20 lb/ft uniform load.
- Anchors must be installed in accordance with two-anchor configuration.
- Professional Engineering Review
- A recognized engineering firm witnessed testing in August 2022, verifying the strength and stability of the guardrail system.
The Temporary Construction Guardrail System by EDGE Fall Protection offers greater reusability, lower long-term cost, and higher reliability than site-built wooden rails.
Backed by engineering tests and built from robust steel, it provides a fast, safe, and compliant perimeter protection solution for commercial and industrial worksites.
For details on ordering or further technical specs, contact us here.
Disclaimer: The load tests and compliance statements in this overview are based on results from an 8/19/2022 testing report (originally evaluating similarly designed steel guardrail assemblies). Field conditions and local building codes may require a professional engineer’s assessment prior to use.
