Type A: Fixed Anchor Points
Permanently installed at a single location
Most common type for buildings
Examples: eyebolts, D-rings, cast-in anchors
Designed for single-user applications
Load capacity: minimum 12kN dynamic, 21kN static (BS 8610)
What is an Anchor?
A roof anchor point is a fixed or temporary attachment designed to support personal fall protection equipment rope access systems and work positioning devices. Anchor points play a crucial role in workplace safety, forming the critical connection between a worker and the structure to help prevent falls and reduce injury should a fall occur.
THE FUNDAMENTALS
How Roof Anchor Points Provide Life-Saving Fall Protection
Understanding anchor points is essential for anyone responsible for workplace safety, building design, or compliance with Working at Height Regulations.
Anchor points serve as the structural foundation of any fall protection system – which can be the difference between life and death when it comes to protecting your people.
As a result, all UK anchor points must be designed, tested and certified to withstand the forces generated during falls or work positioning scenarios. Whether permanent or temporary, cast-in or surface-mounted, they must comply with EN 795:2012 standards and be integrated into fall protection systems designed as per BS 7883:2019.
Roof Anchor Point Key Principles
- Load capacity
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Each anchor has a calculated rating to meet various applications and can be fixed to concrete, steel, or wooden structures.
- Certification required
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All anchor points must be independently tested and certified to EN 795:2012 by notified bodies like DEKRA.
- Structural integration
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Anchors transfer loads to the building structure, which requires proper substrate verification and structural calculations by qualified engineers.
- Regular inspection
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Pre-use checks should take place before every work session, as well as annual inspections, in line with BS 7883:2019.
- Regulatory compliance
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Installation and use must comply with the Working at Height Regulations 2005 and CDM Regulations 2015.
Anchor point
100%
Tested Safety Compliance
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WHEN WORKING AT HEIGHT
Obligations for Anchor Point Installation
As a UK-based employer or building owner, it’s your responsibility to provide safe means of access for any work at height above two metres by law.
The Working at Height Regulations 2005 establish a hierarchy of control measures, with anchor points serving as a critical component when other controls (such as guardrails and nets) aren't reasonably practicable.
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Anchor points are typically required for:
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Roof maintenance access where edge protection isn't feasible
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Building façade cleaning and maintenance operations
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Window cleaning on multi-storey buildings
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Plant and equipment servicing on rooftops
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Emergency rescue and evacuation procedures
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Solar panel installation and maintenance
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Telecommunications equipment access
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HVAC system servicing on elevated structures
Anyone responsible for personnel working at height should also be aware of:
CDM Regulations 2015
Designers must consider maintenance access during building design. This includes specifying anchor points for future safe access to roofs and façades.
BS 7883:2019
This is a code of practice for designing fall protection systems, including anchor point selection, placement, and maintenance requirements.
LOLER 1998
If anchor points are used for lifting operations (material handling), additional requirements apply, including thorough examination every 6-12 months.
ANCHOR CLASSIFICATIONS
The European Standard EN 795:2012 classifies anchor devices into several distinct types based on their characteristics and intended use. Type A (fixed anchors) and Type D (rigid rail systems) are the most common anchor classifications found in building applications.
Type B: Temporary Portable Anchor Points
Mobile anchor devices
Can be moved and installed temporarily
Examples: beam clamps, tripod systems, vacuum anchors
Useful for temporary work or varied locations
Must be installed by trained personnel
Type C: Horizontal Flexible Anchor Lines
Wire rope or webbing lifeline systems
Spans between two fixed anchor points
Allows horizontal movement while protected
Accommodates multiple users (with limitations)
Requires energy absorbers and intermediate supports
Type D: Horizontal Rigid Anchor Rails
Fixed rigid track or rail system
Travelling trolley follows user along rail
Ideal for repetitive tasks or production lines
Low-clearance requirements
Multiple users possible depending on system design
Type E: Deadweight Anchor Points
Body-mass weighted anchor devices for flat roofs
No structural fixing required
Portable but heavy (typically 100kg+)
Limited applications in the UK due to weather such as wind
Require careful specification and risk assessment