Skylight Protection Grills for Fall-Through Prevention

A skylight looks like part of the roof, but it cannot take a person's weight. Anyone who steps or trips onto one during maintenance, cleaning or an inspection can fall straight through to the floor below. ETCE designs and fits protection grills over roof skylights, so the space underneath stays bright and the roof above stays safe to work on.

Across Saudi ArabiaUp to 15-year warrantyFree roof survey

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Alfa Laval – Riyadh

Why every skylight on a working roof needs a grill

Industrial roofs in Saudi Arabia see more foot traffic than most owners realise. Technicians service rooftop AC units and fans, crews clear sand and dust from gutters and drains, and waterproofing teams move across the sheets. Skylights are usually laid in long runs between the metal sheets, and under a coat of dust they can be hard to tell apart from the surface around them. A translucent sheet is the weakest point on a metal roof, and sheets made brittle by years of sun are weaker still.

A fixed grill turns that hazard into a surface that will stop a fall, without blocking the daylight the skylight is there for. Our grills are fabricated from galvanised iron (GI) and mild steel (MS) with pre-painted coatings to resist rust, which matters on humid coastal sites. Each one is built to the size of its opening, and extra MS tubes can be added where more strength is wanted. Fixings are planned so the grill protects the roof rather than opening new leak points in the sheets.

When to fit skylight protection

Staff or contractors regularly go on the roof for maintenance
Skylights have no guard, or old guards are rusted or loose
Skylight runs sit close to walkways, gutters or rooftop equipment
Skylight sheets are aged, brittle or covered in dust
Skylights have just been installed or replaced

How we design and install skylight grills

Measure each openingDuring the free survey our engineer measures every skylight and notes its profile, position and how the roof is accessed.
Design to suitEach grill is designed for its skylight's size and layout, with additional MS tubes where extra strength is required.
FabricateGrills are fabricated in GI and MS and finished with pre-painted coatings for rust prevention.
Install from the roofCrews fit the grills from the roof with full PPE and safety lifelines, while the building below carries on as normal.
Secure and checkEach grill is fixed firmly over its opening and the fixing points are checked so they do not become a new source of leaks.

Materials & workmanship

Galvanised iron (GI) and mild steel (MS) construction
Pre-painted coatings to protect the grill against rust
Custom sizes and designs for any skylight, with extra MS tubes for added strength

Photos from ETCE projects

Skylight Protection Grills - Alfa Laval, Riyadh

Skylight Protection Grills - Zamil Group Real Estate, Al Khobar

Skylight Protection Grills - Salama Radiator Factory, Dammam

Skylight Protection Grills - Al Kuhaimi SSG Plant, Dammam

Site photos from ETCE projects in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Tap to enlarge.

Frequently asked questions

Will a protection grill reduce the daylight from our skylights?

Very little. The grill is an open steel frame over the skylight, so light still passes through while the structure is there to stop a fall.

Can you make grills for non-standard skylight sizes?

Yes. Every grill is designed for the opening it covers, whatever its length, width or position on the roof, and it can be made in whichever design suits your roof.

How do the grills hold up in coastal humidity?

They are made from GI and MS with pre-painted coatings specifically to prevent rust, which is the main threat to exposed steel on roofs in Dammam, Al Khobar and Jubail.

We have just replaced our skylights. Do we still need grills?

Yes. New skylight sheets let in more light but are no stronger underfoot than any other translucent sheet. Straight after replacement is actually the easiest time to fit them.