While building codes don’t give companies a choice about installing height safety systems on buildings, they do have a choice in what type of system they use.
Customers like Manchester Community College (MCC) are realizing the benefits of aluminum roof ladders and platforms over their steel siblings.
In the case of MCC, an aluminum system made a lot of sense. Aluminum was not only less expensive to purchase and install, it will also be less expensive to maintain.
Compared to a custom steel ladder that requires manual labor to weld and build, the Kattsafe aluminum system is manufactured and much more affordable. It’s also modular, and ships in cardboard boxes, like something you would order from Amazon. This reduces transportation costs, compared to a pre-built steel ladder system that needs to be transported on a flatbed trailer.
In addition, MCC didn’t need to rent a crane or other heavy equipment to install their ladder, as they would need to do for a pre-built steel system. Boxes of Kattsafe ladder components were brought to the roof through the building’s service elevator. Adform Interiors then assembled and installed the system on-site.
This also meant MCC didn’t need to engage specialized trades or an additional vendor. Adform took care of everything. Simple!
Looking ahead, MCC will also save on maintaining its ladder system. Unlike steel ladders that require a lot of maintenance to prevent rust and corrosion, aluminum forms a protective oxide layer that prevents corrosion, ensuring longevity and reducing maintenance needs. This also meets OSHA Standards 1910.23, which requires metal ladders are made with corrosion-resistant material or protected against corrosion.
“It’s very likely that within the first year of owning a steel ladder system if you are taking measures to ensure its compliance and upkeep through maintenance, those maintenance costs would be higher than the investment of buying the aluminum system in the first place,” says Derek Tokarz, Sales & Marketing Manager at Kattsafe.
Because of this, Kattsafe’s aluminum system has a 5-year warranty, while steel systems might carry a 1- or 2-year warranty.
MCC also needed their ladder in a short timeframe. The Kattsafe system is a stocked item that shipped within a few days. A steel system would have taken several weeks to build. So, the overall lead time was much shorter than it would have been with a custom-built steel system.
Finally, the aluminum system looks great—and it will continue to look great in the future due to its anti-corrosion properties.
