Other than price, what is the main difference between the portable guardrail offered by competing manufacturers?  After all, most non-penetrating rooftop guardrail consists of yellow, metal railing sections that are secured by a heavy bases resting on the roof surface.  Although portable guardrail systems may look very similar, the main differentiating factor comes where one might least expect it—base plate design.

Some of the portable guardrail systems on today’s market feature base plates that weigh in excess of 100 pounds.  The base plate is the only connection the railing has with the roof’s surface, so many clients mistakenly assume that heavier base plates equate to a safer perimeter railing system.  It is true that freestanding rooftop guardrail systems require a substantial base to hold the individual railing sections in place, but Diversified Fall Protection’s bases are up to 50% lighter than the competition while providing an OSHA compliant margin of safety.

So, what can a 57lb base plate—the lightest in the industry—do for you?   In addition to reducing the overall purchase price and labor costs associated with installation, lighter base plates reduce strain on structural members and roofing materials.  In case you are curious about calculating potential weight savings, check out the chart below:

We just published a blog post on our portable guardrail website titled Portable Guardrail Base Plates: Why Weight Matters.  If you are looking for the quick scoop on why our bases set us apart from the competition, check out our latest Tech Talk Article today.