Automated Positioning of Anchors for Personal Fall Arrest Systems for Steep-Sloped Roofs
Falls account for about one-third of all construction fatalities with most fatalities in the roofing trade. Even though a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is required for fall protection, proper placement of PFAS anchor points is an issue evidenced by the high number of fatalities caused by incorr...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/11/1/10 |
| _version_ | 1797543512344887296 |
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| author | Azin Heidari Svetlana Olbina Scott Glick |
| author_facet | Azin Heidari Svetlana Olbina Scott Glick |
| author_sort | Azin Heidari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Falls account for about one-third of all construction fatalities with most fatalities in the roofing trade. Even though a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is required for fall protection, proper placement of PFAS anchor points is an issue evidenced by the high number of fatalities caused by incorrect anchor positioning. The research goal was to proof the concept of optimizing the location of the PFAS anchor points on steep-sloped roofs. This goal was achieved by: (1) Developing an algorithm for converting the required local jurisdiction construction regulations and standards for PFAS anchor positioning into machine-readable rules; and (2) Developing and validating an algorithm for optimizing the location of PFAS anchor points. The K-Nearest Neighbor Search (KNNS) optimization algorithm was selected in this research and was implemented into a standalone computer tool using Python programming language. The tool calculates the potential anchor locations that satisfy the fall clearance and swing hazard requirements and then displays the anchor locations both graphically and numerically. The optimization algorithm was validated using the K-fold Cross-Validation method, which proved the algorithm was adequately accurate and consistent. The research contribution is the proof of the concept that the development of an optimization algorithm and automated field-level tool for optimal selection of PFAS anchor points is possible, further research and refinement could help steep-sloped roofing companies improve their safety practices. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:45:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-968f794520f54742a85469eb22cbf8d3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:45:42Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj.art-968f794520f54742a85469eb22cbf8d32023-11-21T02:36:38ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092020-12-011111010.3390/buildings11010010Automated Positioning of Anchors for Personal Fall Arrest Systems for Steep-Sloped RoofsAzin Heidari0Svetlana Olbina1Scott Glick2McKinstry Co. LCC, 5005 3rd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134, USADepartment of Construction Management, Guggenheim Hall, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USADepartment of Construction Management, Guggenheim Hall, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USAFalls account for about one-third of all construction fatalities with most fatalities in the roofing trade. Even though a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is required for fall protection, proper placement of PFAS anchor points is an issue evidenced by the high number of fatalities caused by incorrect anchor positioning. The research goal was to proof the concept of optimizing the location of the PFAS anchor points on steep-sloped roofs. This goal was achieved by: (1) Developing an algorithm for converting the required local jurisdiction construction regulations and standards for PFAS anchor positioning into machine-readable rules; and (2) Developing and validating an algorithm for optimizing the location of PFAS anchor points. The K-Nearest Neighbor Search (KNNS) optimization algorithm was selected in this research and was implemented into a standalone computer tool using Python programming language. The tool calculates the potential anchor locations that satisfy the fall clearance and swing hazard requirements and then displays the anchor locations both graphically and numerically. The optimization algorithm was validated using the K-fold Cross-Validation method, which proved the algorithm was adequately accurate and consistent. The research contribution is the proof of the concept that the development of an optimization algorithm and automated field-level tool for optimal selection of PFAS anchor points is possible, further research and refinement could help steep-sloped roofing companies improve their safety practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/11/1/10fall protection automationconstruction safetypersonal fall arrest system (PFAS)anchor pointroofingKNNS optimization algorithm |
| spellingShingle | Azin Heidari Svetlana Olbina Scott Glick Automated Positioning of Anchors for Personal Fall Arrest Systems for Steep-Sloped Roofs Buildings fall protection automation construction safety personal fall arrest system (PFAS) anchor point roofing KNNS optimization algorithm |
| title | Automated Positioning of Anchors for Personal Fall Arrest Systems for Steep-Sloped Roofs |
| title_full | Automated Positioning of Anchors for Personal Fall Arrest Systems for Steep-Sloped Roofs |
| title_fullStr | Automated Positioning of Anchors for Personal Fall Arrest Systems for Steep-Sloped Roofs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Automated Positioning of Anchors for Personal Fall Arrest Systems for Steep-Sloped Roofs |
| title_short | Automated Positioning of Anchors for Personal Fall Arrest Systems for Steep-Sloped Roofs |
| title_sort | automated positioning of anchors for personal fall arrest systems for steep sloped roofs |
| topic | fall protection automation construction safety personal fall arrest system (PFAS) anchor point roofing KNNS optimization algorithm |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/11/1/10 |
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