Fall Protection Strategies For North Star Metals Roofs

See the Roof Anchor Compatibility Chart for North Star Metals Standing Seam Panels.

Who Is North Star Metals?

North Star Metals is a prominent metal roofing and siding solutions manufacturer specializing in high-quality standing seam profiles for commercial and residential markets. Located in eastern Ohio, the company uses recycled American steel to produce long-lasting, durable panels that deliver unmatched style and functionality.

Since its establishment in 1994, North Star Metals has earned a reputation for precision manufacturing, utilizing state-of-the-art roll-forming and folding equipment to create roofing systems and custom trims that meet the specific needs of the agricultural, industrial, and architectural sectors. Their hidden fastener systems offer a sleek, modern appearance while providing excellent weather resistance and durability.

North Star Metals takes pride in its commitment to quality. Its dedicated sales team uses CAD technology to provide accurate take-offs and customized project solutions. Its comprehensive delivery process, with custom packaging and a fleet of late-model transport vehicles, ensures that materials arrive safely and on time at even the most demanding job sites.

Why Are Compatible Fall Protection Anchors Important for North Star Metals Roofs?

The right fall protection is essential when working on North Star Metals' standing seam roofs. Standing seam roofs have hidden fasteners for a clean look and maximum durability. However, these features also present challenges for fall protection, as traditional anchor systems that penetrate the roof can damage the panels and compromise the roof's longevity. Instead, non-penetrating anchors, like seam clamps or adjustable roof jacks, must preserve the roof's integrity while keeping workers safe.

In this blog, we'll discuss the specific standing seam profiles produced by North Star Metals and explain the best fall protection solutions for each panel type. Ensuring workers are adequately secured while maintaining the roof's aesthetic and functional performance is critical. With the right fall protection system in place, you can prevent costly damage to the roofing panels while providing safety for those working at heights.

NS-18 Panel Overview

The NS-18 panel is a high-performance standing seam roofing system designed for durability and aesthetic appeal. This 18-inch wide panel features a 2-3/8" tall seam, providing excellent structural support. Manufactured from 24-gauge steel, the NS-18 panel has a Kynar 500/Hylar 5000 coating, offering superior protection against UV rays and environmental elements. See the Roof Anchor Compatibility Chart for North Star Metals NS-18 Standing Seam Panels.

These coatings, including the En-Dura Star system, ensure long-lasting color and gloss retention while resisting air pollutants and moisture-related damage, such as chalking and pitting. The panel's durability is backed by paint warranties ranging from 25 to 40 years, ensuring long-term performance with minimal maintenance. With 16 resin-based finishes, NS-18 panels outperform most other coil coatings in resisting general air pollution, acid rain, and chlorinated air.

Fall Protection For NS-18 Panels

When working on NS-18 panels, keeping your team safe while preserving the roof's structural integrity is the top priority. That's why the SSRA1 Seam Anchor is such a great tool. This non-penetrating anchor clamps securely onto the roof seam, providing a sturdy attachment point for personal fall arrest systems (PFAS). The best part? There is no need to puncture the roof, meaning you avoid compromising the roof's watertight seal. It's ideal for temporary and permanent applications and compatible with the various seam widths on NS-18 panels. Quick to install and versatile, it's a favorite for doing the job safely and efficiently.

For those longer jobs where your workers need to move around more, the  SSRA2 Adjustable Roof Jacks are the real MVP. These handy jacks, used with the SSRA1 anchors, allow you to install walk boards across the roof. Think of it like giving your workers a safe, stable catwalk while they navigate the roof. Adjustability means they fit a range of seam heights and panel widths, including those on NS-18 panels. Plus, since they don't require roof penetrations, the roof stays leak-proof and looks good.

And when multiple workers need to be on the roof simultaneously, the  SSRA3 Anchor Plates step in. These plates, used with the SSRA1 anchors, make setting up temporary horizontal lifelines easy. Workers can move freely along the roof while staying safely tethered, which is especially important on larger projects. Again, this system preserves the roof's structural integrity—no penetrations required—so your beautiful NS-18 panels stay intact and weather-resistant.

The Ridge Pro Steep Assist is your go-to if you're dealing with steeper roofs. This non-penetrating fall protection system hooks over the roof peak, providing a secure anchor point for workers on slopes between 6/12 and 12/12. No seams to attach to? No problem! It keeps your crew safe and tied off without touching the roof surface, which is a huge win when preserving the roof's durability. It's as easy as hook, tie off, and work without worries.

With these systems, you keep your team safe and protect the NS-18 panel's performance and aesthetics, ensuring that your roof stands the test of time, just like you promised your client. Safe workers and a happy roof?

Snap Star Panels

The Snap Star Panel is a modern solution designed for residential and commercial applications where aesthetics and durability are key priorities. With a 1-inch snaplock seam and a sleek design, this panel system provides a secure, watertight roofing solution that looks visually appealing. See the Roof Anchor Compatibility Chart for North Star Metals Snap Star Standing Seam Panels.

The 24-gauge steel construction has Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000 finishes, known for their long-lasting color retention and resistance to weathering. The Dura-Star color system ensures that at least 70% of the coating contains ceramic pigments, offering superior protection against the elements, including UV rays, air pollution, and moisture. Additionally, the Kynar/Hylar topcoat, applied over a polyester primer on pre-treated Galvalume or galvanized steel, provides enhanced durability.

Snap Star panels are virtually maintenance-free, resist general air pollution, and prevent common issues like pitting or whitening caused by exposure to rain, fog, dew, or even acid rain. With this combination of performance and style, Snap Star panels offer a sophisticated and resilient roofing solution built to last for decades, all while boasting a warranty ranging from 25 to 40 years on the paint finish.

Fall Protection for Snap Star Panels

Fall protection is crucial when working with Snap Star Panels to maintain worker safety and the integrity of the roof system. The SSRA1 Seam Anchors are an excellent choice for these panels, as they provide non-penetrating fall protection. These anchors clamp directly onto the seams without compromising the roof's surface, making them ideal for preserving the Snap Star panel's watertight design. They create safe, secure anchor points for workers while avoiding damage to the roof system.

SSRA2 Adjustable Roof Jacks offer an effective solution for projects requiring workers to traverse the roof. These roof jacks allow for the installation of walk boards, which provide safe pathways for workers moving across the roof without penetrating the panel surface.

Multiple workers can rely on the SSRA3 Anchor Plate for tie-off when attached to the SSRA1 Seam Anchors. These plates mount temporary horizontal lifelines, which allow multiple workers to remain securely tied off while working on the roof. This system keeps workers safe while preventing potential damage to the Snap Star panels.

For roofs with steeper slopes, typically between 6/12 and 12/12, the Ridge Pro Steep Assist is the best option. This non-penetrating fall protection system hooks over the roof peak, providing 100% tie-off without requiring any attachment to the seams.

These fall protection solutions ensure a safe working environment while maintaining Snap Star panels' long-term performance and visual appeal.

Loc Star Panels

The Loc Star panel system is a nail strip snaplock panel with a 1.5-inch seam height and a 16-inch width, ideal for residential and commercial roofing projects that prioritize aesthetics and durability. Constructed from 24-gauge steel, these panels feature a sleek design that hides fasteners, creating a smooth, clean appearance. Loc Star panels feature a Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000 finish, which offers long-lasting color retention and superior protection against weathering. See the Roof Anchor Compatibility Chart for North Star Metals Loc Star Standing Seam Panels.

Dura-Star colors, used in Loc Star panels, contain a minimum of 70% Kynar or Hylar base resin combined with ceramic pigments, ensuring a high consistency in color and quality. These finishes resist chalking, fading, and environmental pollutants, making the Loc Star panels virtually maintenance-free. They are also known for their resilience in harsh environments, as they resist pitting, whitening, and discoloration when exposed to rain, dew, fog, acid rain, and chlorinated air. With a warranty ranging from 25 to 40 years on paint finishes, Loc Star panels offer exceptional value for long-term roofing solutions.

Fall Protection for Loc Star Panels

Workers installing or maintaining Loc Star panels must use the proper fall protection equipment. The SSRA1 Seam Anchors provide a secure, non-penetrating attachment point that clamps onto the seams of Loc Star panels without damaging the roof. The SSRA1 anchors are versatile, making them an excellent option for attaching temporary safety systems without compromising the roof's durability.

If workers need to navigate across the roof, SSRA2 Adjustable Roof Jacks allow for the safe setup of walk boards. These jacks support movement on the roof without requiring penetrations into the Loc Star panel's surface, ensuring worker safety and roof protection.

When multiple workers must stay tethered on the roof, use SSRA3 Anchor Plates with SSRA1 anchors to set up horizontal lifelines. These lifelines provide secure tie-off points for multiple workers, ensuring compliance with safety regulations while maintaining a damage-free roof system.

For steeper roof applications with slopes between 6/12 and 12/12, the Ridge Pro Steep Assist is the go-to fall protection system. This non-penetrating device hooks over the roof peak, keeping workers securely tied off throughout the project. The Ridge Pro system is especially useful for maintaining the integrity of Loc Star panels, as it eliminates the need for attachment directly to the seams.

By choosing the appropriate fall protection systems, you can ensure worker safety and the long-term performance of Loc Star panels, whether for installation or ongoing maintenance projects.

Standing Seam Metal Roof Anchor Panel Compatibility Chart For North Star Metals

Contact Us For More Information

For further details on roofing solutions and fall protection systems, contact us at 863-703-4522 or www.StandingSeamRoofAnchor.com. Let's work together to make your roofing projects safe, beautiful, and built to last. For more safety tips, check out OSHA's 48-page fall protection manual. Once you have determined the most suitable anchors for your roof system, download our Anchor Inspection Form.

Safety Guidelines for Standing Seam Roofs

Ensure Proper Access Points

Carefully position ladders and scaffolding, making sure they are stable and free of obstructions. Adhere to OSHA's 4-to-1 ladder safety rule, which requires one foot of ladder extension for every four feet of height. Provide workers with adequate training to minimize fall risks during roof access.

Select the Right Footwear

Wear shoes designed for non-slip performance, mainly when working on metal roofing. These shoes provide better traction, especially on slippery or wet surfaces, reducing the chances of slipping.

Utilize Permanent Roof Anchors

Installing permanent roof anchors can be a long-term investment in safety. These anchors provide reliable fall protection for future maintenance work and inspections, reducing the need to reinstall temporary systems.

Install Guardrails on Low-Slope Roofs

Guardrails or warning lines create safe zones for low-slope roofs that help prevent falls. These physical barriers add a critical layer of security, especially when traditional fall protection equipment is not feasible.

Adopt a Safety-First Work Culture

Regular safety training and routine checks of all equipment foster a culture focused on preventing accidents. Instilling a sense of responsibility in workers for personal and team safety reduces incidents and promotes safer work environments.

Always Use Trauma Straps

Ensure all workers are equipped with safety harnesses and use trauma straps. These straps are essential for mitigating the risk of suspension trauma, providing a lifeline in the event of a fall by reducing the pressure on the legs and circulation.

Select the Correct Roof Anchors for Standing Seam Panels

Always use roof anchors explicitly designed for that panel type when working on standing seam roofs. Seam-mounted systems work best, and it is important to follow installation guidelines closely. Avoid solutions that require locating hidden panel clips, often impractical on existing roofs.

Work Safely on Curved Metal Roofs

Curved metal roofs present unique challenges that require special fall protection planning. Workers should avoid using seam-mounted anchors on curved roof systems unless authorized by a trained safety expert.

Provide High-Quality Safety Gear

Equip your team with full-body harnesses and shock-absorbing lanyards that are OSHA-compliant. This equipment is crucial in minimizing injury during a fall, offering essential protection that can prevent fatalities.

Develop an OSHA-Compliant Safety Plan

Before beginning any project, establish a comprehensive safety plan that meets OSHA standards. This plan should cover fall protection measures, equipment use, and detailed emergency rescue procedures to ensure a fast and safe response in case of an incident.

Disclaimer

The views, recommendations, and information presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the featured panel manufacturer, its brands, subsidiaries, or parent companies. Customers are strongly encouraged to reach out directly to the roof panel manufacturer for inquiries regarding fall protection compatibility with their products and to address any potential warranty issues that may arise following the installation of our products.