New Safety Bulletin Warns Against Unproven Rooflight Cover Systems

New bulletin highlights untested systems, energy loss and regulatory risks across UK roofs

A new Safety Bulletin from the Rooflight Association (RA) has raised serious concerns about the growing use of permanently fixed rooflight covers and framed wire mesh systems on UK buildings. The publication, Rooflighting Safety Bulletin 2025/1, warns that these products, while often promoted as enhancing rooftop safety, may instead compromise building performance, invalidate warranties, and introduce new hazards.

Growing Industry Concern

The bulletin responds to a sharp rise in installations of permanent rooflight cover systems, particularly on commercial and industrial buildings where solar PV arrays are being fitted or maintenance access is frequent. These mesh or framed covers are marketed as a means of preventing falls through rooflights, but the RA cautions that no formal safety testing, certification, or recognised product standards currently exist for such systems.

While the association “applauds the intentions” behind their development, it states it “cannot condone or support their use” given multiple technical and safety concerns now emerging across the UK roofing sector.

The Rise of Rooflight Covers

Permanent mesh covers have gained popularity as a seemingly simple retrofit measure to reduce fall risks during maintenance or when PV systems are installed. Typically made from galvanised or painted steel, they are fixed over existing rooflights using brackets or frame supports.

However, the RA notes that many of these systems are untested, unregulated, and often installed without proper manufacturer approval or structural assessment, creating the potential for leaks, corrosion, and compromised non-fragility ratings. Inspection reports now frequently show unsealed fasteners penetrating both rooflights and metal roof sheets, leading to premature deterioration and loss of performance.

Key Safety Issues Highlighted

Detailed assessment by the Rooflight Association reveals that many rooflight cover systems currently on the market lack the testing, certification and performance data required to demonstrate long-term safety. The bulletin highlights several key areas of concern affecting compliance, energy performance and roof integrity.

Technical Findings and Risks

According to the bulletin, no proven safety benefit has yet been demonstrated for these covers, many of which are fabricated from materials less durable than the rooflights they are designed to protect. The RA stresses that all roof safety equipment should be tested to ACR[M]001, the industry’s benchmark for non-fragility performance, and assessed independently of the rooflight itself.

The report also highlights the lack of long-term performance data. Without clear information on service life, maintenance cycles, or inspection procedures, owners may unknowingly install systems that degrade faster than the roof assembly they sit upon.

In terms of compliance, the RA warns that such installations can disrupt the finely balanced energy and daylighting calculations that underpin the Building Regulations. Typical metal-clad commercial buildings rely on rooflights covering 12–14% of the floor area; even modest shading from mesh covers can reduce daylight transmission by up to 14%, thereby increasing the reliance on artificial lighting and increasing operational energy costs.

Installation and Maintenance Concerns

Improper fixing methods are a recurring issue. The bulletin reports cases where rooflight covers have been fastened directly through roof sheets or rooflights, creating water ingress and corrosion risks. Poor installation practices have also voided manufacturer warranties, as rooflight suppliers are unable to verify integrity once third-party devices have been fitted.

Maintenance is another challenge. Many fixed covers block access for cleaning and inspection, leading to a gradual decline in light transmission and masking signs of seal failure or damage. The RA advises that, if such systems are used at all, they should be easily removable or hinged to allow regular inspection of rooflights and perimeter fixings.

The bulletin also warns of added weight and aerodynamic disturbance, which can increase snow-drift loads or exceed the roof’s design capacity. Low-level mesh systems further introduce trip hazards, elevating the risk of slips and falls during maintenance work.

Regulatory and Industry Context

The RA’s position aligns with the Advisory Committee for Roofsafety’s (ACR) guidance and HSE’s publication HSG33 – Health and Safety in Roof Work, both of which emphasise proper specification of non-fragile roof assemblies rather than post-fit safety attachments.

It also reinforces the need for competent design review under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), ensuring that any additional load or modification to a roof is assessed for structural suitability and safety implications.

Industry Recommendations

Instead of installing untested permanent devices, the Rooflight Association urges building owners and contractors to: