The inside of a typical data centre is sleek and modern, filled with sophisticated servers housed on racks encased in glass, connected by cables, and monitored by high-tech security, management, and environmental systems. 

The rooftop of a data centre is a maze of equipment to support the core functions inside. The priority is backup power systems and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Other apparatus, including satellite dishes, cell towers, antennas, solar panels, transformers, and water tanks for fire suppression systems, can also populate the rooftop. 

Since any outage or interruption in service can be costly, frequent monitoring, inspections, and maintenance of rooftop equipment are needed. Falls from heights are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries, and this risk is magnified on data centre roofs that house complex equipment. Compliant fall protection is critical for ensuring the safety of the workers who perform these tasks.

Guardrails are the first line of defense for roof fall protection on three fronts.

1. They provide complete perimeter protection at the roof edge, the most obvious danger.
2. They flank fixed ladders at roof access points.
3. They surround roof hatches.

Since the transition to and from the roof via a ladder or roof hatch presents a fall hazard, guardrail systems for ladders and hatches need a self-closing gate. They feature a spring-loaded mechanism that closes behind the worker to secure the opening and prevent the worker from falling through.

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