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Posted By John Malone
My work involves me in offering advice to various schools in Ireland.
A very common feature of Irish schools, particularly those built in the 1930s-1960s, is the presence of flat roofs on corridors and shelters in play yards, generally 2-3m above ground and often easy to climb on to at supporting pillars, downpipes etc.
ANY IDEAS on how best to prevent injury to children from climbing on such roofs?
I have in some cases suggested rotating steel barriers of the type used to secure commercial premises, but school authorities have objections on aesthetic grounds.
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Posted By John Webster
How about anti-climb paint (with suitable warning notices)
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Posted By Eric Burt
..... and removal of all foot-holds such as protruding ledges, wall brackets, pipes and portable items such as bins which can be used to assist in getting onto the roof.
If you know that children are climbing on your roof, make sure that your sky-lights are protected to prevent them falling through ( remember higher duty of care to children).
I have found the anti-climb paint usually does the trick, but remember the warning notices and you only need it from about 2 metres upwards - you don't want people to get contaminated by accidentally brushing against a drain pipe.
Have a look at the reason why they are going on the roof as well - if it is to retrieve footballs, some schools instigate a system whereby the Caretaker (or someone authorised / trained) goes on the roof once a week to retrieve footballs, tennis balls, school bags!! etc etc and they are "sold" back to the owners for a donation to school funds. It sounded a bit like bribery to me, but it worked!!
Eric
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Posted By Allan St.John Holt
The only down side to anti-vandal paint (speaking as a paint user) is that when it gets on the varmints' hands they have been know to wipe it off by redecorating the nearest clean white wall or door....
Allan
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Posted By Ken Taylor
It's not just in your part of the world. Each case seems to need site-specific attention but, in addition to eliminating foot/handholds, anti-climb paint and notices, you could consider: railings; anti-climb barriers; school rules backed up by disciplinary action; better supervision; CCTV; preventing access to areas where low roofs are located (or at least during break periods); and banning ball-games and similar activities in the area.
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Posted By Helen
why don't you put wire fencing around the top of the roofs? this will surely stop them attempting to climb up, especially if they know they have a greater potential to get hurt.
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Posted By John Malone
Re Helen's remarks
Thanks for your comments, but fencing is definitely out.
Installing anything that "increases potential to get hurt" is out of the question because of the legal implications for compensation/insurance claims
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
This is one of the most difficult things to control as you have realised and ultimately any solution is going to involve cost. The ultimate is to remove their presence by creating a pitched roof and removing the access points as has already been mentioned. In my Local Authority days the worst culprits tended to be under 10s as they can find the smallest handhold.
One unconventional thought is can you create this as a play or aesthetic feature. Either provide proper climbing equipment, handrails and soft landing material ot alternatively look at roof gardens with aesthetic walls etc and proper access. The latter needs a lot of investigation though.
Any discipline needs to be clearly understood and evenly applied. It is essential that ALL staff/adults unite in picking up every incident immediately and dealing with it as defined. Any walking past on any occassion will give the impression that it may be permissible on occassions - say when the adult is too busy to prevent it. It is not clear from your e-mail that staff/adults are following this type of routine.
Bob
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Posted By John Taylor
how about angled/over hanging flower baskets
placed as to not allow transfer from pipe or pillar to next level of hand hold
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Posted By Jonathan Breeze
John,
Unfortunately this is a problem, which as a previous respondant has said, will cost money.
There are however many anti-climb drainpipes out there that could form part of the solution to your problems.
If you need further details, then feel free to contact me.
Jonathan
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Posted By Jim Walker
I suppose wiring the drain pipes to the mains, is out of the question ?
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Posted By Alan Bate
John,
If drainpipes are the biggest problem, how about fixing some sort of upside down cone on the drainpipes, with wide diameter, to prevent the little buggers from being able to climb. They would never be able to get over the cone, and you only need one per drain pipe situated near the top to limit vandalism.
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