States and school districts throughout the nation are banning cell phones (aka mobile devices) because they distract from the revelries of algebra and earth science. This is not new. Before there was texting, students passed handwritten notes, scrolled through comic books hidden inside textbooks, and best of all, daydreamed as they stared out the window.
Windows are a predominant feature of schools and colleges. While risks like security and fire safety are usually top-of-mind, cleaning and maintaining the vast expanses of glass in multi-story educational buildings present a significant fall hazard.
Implementing engineered systems such as davits for window washing and dedicated anchors for fall protection will provide compliant and efficient window maintenance safety. If sparkling clean windows are a greater temptation for distracted students, lower the blinds.
The unique challenge of educational facility safety.
Educational facilities operate on tight schedules with constant foot traffic. University building maintenance, including school building window cleaning, often must be performed and balanced during short breaks, after hours, or even while classes are in session. This environment demands safe and reliable fall arrest systems.
Relying on ladders or unsecured scaffolds is not only inefficient for large-scale projects but also introduces an unacceptable level of risk. A permanent, dedicated fall protection system is not a luxury—it is a solid investment for responsible facility management.
Davits: the engineered solution for suspended access.
Davits are a mainstay of safe suspended maintenance. These rooftop socket-and-arm systems lower, suspend, and raise workers to provide a dependable solution for tasks such as window cleaning, painting, and façade inspections on educational buildings. They are engineered for stability, safety, and to comply with Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) regulations and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) best practices. For maintenance workers, advantages include:
Safety & Compliance
Davits have a solid, engineered anchor point for rigging, allowing crews to work in full compliance with OSHA and ANSI standards. Systems are crafted from robust materials, including ASTM A36 steel with galvanized finishes, per ASTM A123 for corrosion resistance.
Efficiency & Versatility
Designed for quick setup, davits allow crews to deploy equipment rapidly. A single system can often cover multiple sides of a building up to nearly 500 feet tall. Mobile socket options are designed to adapt to multi-level buildings with terraces or roof decks and can be deployed as needed to boost productivity.
Built to Last
Engineered for durability, davit systems feature heavy-duty base plates, each with two anchor points, capable of withstanding forces up to 22.2 kN (5,000 lbs.) in any direction, ensuring optimum strength and safety.
Tieback Anchors: the foundation of active fall arrest.
While davits handle the rigging, a complete safety system must also account for the personal fall arrest of the workers on the platform. A tieback anchor is a specific type of roof anchor designed for this type of fall protection, especially where guardrails are not feasible. It is a secure point to which a worker can attach their personal fall arrest system. For maintenance workers, advantages include:
Continuous Protection
Tieback anchors support suspended platforms, equipment tiebacks, and horizontal lifelines, ensuring workers remain protected from the moment they leave the roof access point until they return.
Building-type Compatibility
Available with insulation to prevent heat loss, they can be installed on steel, concrete, timber, and other materials using a flexible universal base plate. Mounting options are available for retrofitting and new construction.
Durable & Compliant
Manufactured to American weld standards and high-quality controls, tieback anchors meet CSA, OSHA, and ANSI Z359 requirements. They provide essential fall protection for challenging rooftop environments.
See us for your safety solutions.
For school districts and university systems, the installation of permanent davit and anchor systems is a clear investment in human capital. It protects valuable employees, minimizes institutional risk, and ensures that the task of maintaining a clear, bright learning environment does not come with unnecessary danger.
If you are responsible for safety and fall protection at your educational facility, contact Lighthouse Safety for safety solutions. We will discuss your concerns about regulations and what it will take for you to comply. Our services encompass everything you need, from design, engineering, and fabrication to installation, training, inspections, and other support.
