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Fragile rooflights remain one of the most overlooked hazards in roof safety. They may look solid, but many in-plane rooflights and dome skylights are not designed to support the weight of a person. In commercial settings, a single misstep can result in a person falling through the roof surface, leading to serious injury or worse.
For building owners and maintenance teams, protecting fragile rooflights is a legal requirement and a vital part of safe working practices. Kee Safety provides two purpose-designed skylight protection systems, Kee Cover® and Kee Dome®, that help prevent falls while allowing routine roof access to be carried out safely.
Many rooflights are manufactured from materials designed to maximise natural light rather than support foot traffic. Over time, exposure to weather, UV light, and general ageing can reduce structural integrity and increase fragility.
This applies to:
in-plane rooflights
dome lights
older roof sheets with integrated rooflights
large element roofing assemblies
Even rooflights that were originally classified as non fragile may not maintain the same non fragility ratings throughout their expected life.
The Advisory Committee for Roof Safety, supported by the Roofing Manufacturers Association, provides further guidance in the ACR Red Book. This recognised test procedure is widely used to determine non fragility classification and assess whether a roof assembly can safely withstand the impact of a person falling onto it.
Kee Cover protects fragile rooflights directly while allowing natural light to continue entering the building.
The ACR Red Book classifies roof assemblies according to their non fragility performance. A Class B rating, for example, demonstrates that a roof assembly has passed extensive testing under defined conditions.
However, these classifications apply only to the tested assembly and do not offer performance guarantees for the life of the roof. Changes to components, ageing, and maintenance history can all affect performance.
For this reason, building owners should never assume rooflights are safe to walk on, even if they were originally installed with non fragility ratings.
Maintenance teams regularly access roofs to inspect service equipment, carry out cleaning, and perform repairs. Without suitable protection, workers may unknowingly walk on fragile materials or step too close to rooflights.
The consequences can be severe:
a person falling through the roof
injury from falling onto machinery or hard surfaces below
damage to roof components
risk to building occupants below
Safe access routes, surface protection, and permanent safety measures are essential to minimise these risks.
Kee Dome creates a non-penetrative guardrail around raised skylights to prevent access to fragile areas.
Kee Cover® is designed to provide permanent protection over fragile rooflights and roof openings.
The system uses a galvanised steel mesh mounted over the rooflight, preventing a person falling through while still allowing natural light into the building.
Protects in-plane rooflights directly
Preserves natural light
Non-penetrative installation
Modular design to suit different sizes
Suitable for trapezoidal, standing seam, and metal cladding roofs
Hot dip galvanised for long-term durability
Kee Cover is ideal where rooflights sit flush with the roof surface and regular maintenance access is required.
Kee Dome® is a free-standing guardrail system designed to surround raised dome skylights.
Rather than covering the rooflight itself, Kee Dome creates a protective barrier that prevents workers from reaching the fragile area.
Collective fall protection
Non-penetrative design
Modular and quick to install
Suitable for flat roofs up to 3° pitch
Independently tested to BS EN ISO 14122-3
Kee Dome is particularly suitable for flat roofs where maintenance personnel require regular access around raised skylights.
Permanent skylight protection helps maintenance teams work safely around fragile rooflights during routine roof access.
The right solution depends on the type of rooflight and the roof assembly.
The rooflight is flush with the roof surface
Maintaining natural light is important
Low-profile protection is preferred
The skylight is raised above the roof
A physical barrier around the hazard is more suitable
Access takes place nearby on a regular basis
Both systems provide collective roof safety and help prevent falls through fragile rooflights.
Skylight protection works best when combined with a complete roof safety system.
Kee Safety can also provide:
Kee Walk® roof walkways for safe access routes
Kee Guard® roof edge protection
Step over platforms for crossing obstacles
Together, these systems help create a safe roof environment that protects workers while supporting maintenance and inspection activities.
A planned skylight protection system reduces fall risk across highly accessed commercial rooftops.
Under health and safety legislation and building regulations, those responsible for a building must assess the risk associated with roof access and implement suitable safety measures.
A competent person should carry out a risk assessment to determine:
whether rooflights are fragile
the level of access required
the most appropriate protection system
Where fragile rooflights are present, permanent protection is often the most reliable and cost-effective solution.
Fragile rooflights present a significant risk in commercial and industrial buildings. Even rooflights with historic non fragility classification should not be assumed safe for foot traffic throughout their service life.
Kee Cover® and Kee Dome® provide two proven solutions for preventing falls through fragile rooflights. Kee Cover protects the rooflight directly, while Kee Dome creates a protective guardrail around raised skylights.
By integrating these systems into your wider roof safety strategy, you can protect workers, preserve natural light, and support safer maintenance access for the life of the building.
For expert guidance on skylight protection systems, contact Kee Safety to discuss the most suitable solution for your roof.