Are your roof anchors ready for window washing this spring? 

We occasionally encounter Condominium Managers who require a roof anchor inspection that forms a part of their fall arrest system. Often, they are not aware of whether they need a visual inspection or load test or that the certification of fall arrest systems is required by law.

Understanding a building’s roof anchor maintenance and inspection requirements is not difficult, and with relatively little effort, Condominium Managers can automate this process in 3 easy steps.

1.  Know the type of anchors and the requirements 

The building’s initial design drawings or the roof anchor plan will identify the type, attachment, and purpose of the roof anchors and fall arrest system. Not all fall arrest systems are designed for swing stage use.

2.  Know who can inspect and who can repair the anchors

The standard mandates that either a visual inspection or a load test be completed by a professional engineer, or a qualified person under the supervision of a professional engineer. There are several general building engineers and roof anchor inspection companies that can provide this service.

Following visual or loading inspections, the report may determine that minor repairs, such as caulking or flashing failures, or major repairs, such as anchor replacement, may be required. Depending on the level of complexity of these repairs they may require a simple handyman or the involvement of a design engineer.

3.  Schedule your inspections

Although roof anchors must be certified for any work that will require attachment (caulking replacement from swing stage, pre-cast panel inspection from bosun’s chair, etc.), typically the inspection is scheduled to be completed before the first window cleaning of the season. Recalling that varying degrees of repairs may be required following the inspection, we recommend that Condominium Managers look to schedule their annual inspection during the month of March or April.

Important things to remember:

• Building or anchor plans will indicate the types of anchors on the roof.
• All anchors must be visually inspected every year.
• Adhesive or expansion anchors need to be load tested every 5 years.
• Qualified inspectors under the supervision of a Professional Engineer may preform the inspections and load test.
• Annual scheduling or pre-contracting inspection services helps ensure that the fall arrest systems will always be compliant.