Free site assessments limited each month | Dont delay, contact us today | Certified SANS & ISO systems

Fixed Ladders and Platforms

for Safe Everyday Access

Engineered access systems for facilities that require regular roof or plant access.

Designed to meet SANS 508 requirements and built for long-term, industrial use.

About Our Roof Anchors

At EMFab, safety is engineered into every roof anchor we supply.


Our anchors are designed to meet SANS standards for fall protection, ensuring reliable connection points for fall arrest and restraint systems.


We serve construction, roofing, solar, and industrial clients across South Africa, delivering solutions for flat, pitched, and composite roofs.


Our goal is simple: protect your team, ensure compliance, and reduce downtime with turnkey solutions from design to certification.

When Fixed Access Is the Correct Solution

Temporary access equipment is not suitable for sites that require repeated or routine access.

Fixed ladders and platforms provide controlled, consistent access where work at height forms part of daily or scheduled operations.


Common applications include:


  • Industrial plant and equipment access
  • Rooftop inspections and maintenance
  • Solar system servicing
  • Warehouse and commercial facilities
  • Mechanical and electrical service routes


This page focuses specifically on permanent access systems, not temporary equipment.

Fixed Ladders

Fixed ladders provide safe vertical access when correctly designed and installed.


Ladder configurations include:


  • Vertical or inclined ladders
  • Fall arrest rail systems
  • Ladder cages where required
  • Intermediate rest points for long climbs


Design considerations include climb height, frequency of use, user fatigue, and fall protection requirements.


Platforms & Landings

Platforms allow safe transition between ladders, roofs, and work areas.


Platform uses include:


  • Safe entry and exit points
  • Rest and staging areas
  • Access to plant or equipment
  • Maintenance and inspection zones



Platforms are designed with appropriate guardrails, toe boards, and anti-slip surfaces to reduce fall risk during transitions.

Exterior building with brick and white walls. Metal ladder and walkway alongside stairs. Cloudy sky.
Person on metal ladder accessing building roof. Cloudy sky. Grey metal building with solar panels.
Building with red sign; ladder to roof, gray metal siding, brick base, and clear sky.
Metal ladder with safety cage, platform, and handrails on a corrugated metal building roof.
Rooftop with solar panels, safety cages, and a ladder, under a cloudy sky.
Red safety railing on a rooftop overlooking a Toyota dealership and lush greenery under a cloudy sky.
Two brick buildings flank a grassy yard. A wooden fence and trees are visible in the distance under a cloudy sky.
Black vertical caged ladder attached to a beige building exterior.
Metal fire escape attached to a brick building. Green roof visible in the foreground. Trees in the background.
Metal ladder with safety cage attached to the side of a white building under a cloudy sky.
A metal ladder and a cage ladder on the side of a building against a cloudy sky.
Yellow rooftop walkway installed on a corrugated metal roof, beneath solar panels.
Yellow rectangular platform on a corrugated metal roof, likely a safety feature.
Ladder attached to a corrugated metal roof, with guardrails, on a sunny day.
Metal ladder with a safety cage attached to the side of a building.
Metal ladder with safety cage, attached to a corrugated building roof. Blue sky in background.
Ladder leading up to a corrugated metal roof against a partly cloudy sky.
Yellow ladder and railing on a grey industrial structure, against a blue sky, on a rooftop.
Metal ladder with safety cage on rooftop. Green generator sits nearby.
Metal ladder with safety cage attached to a brick building; blue sky overhead.

System Design and Installation

Access systems must be matched to the structure they serve.


Each installation includes:


  • Assessment of access routes and working zones
  • Verification of fixing points and load paths
  • Layout design to minimise climbing distance and risk
  • Secure installation of ladders, platforms, and guardrails


This ensures access systems remain safe and usable throughout their service life.

Certificate with a checkmark in the center.

Compliance, Testing and Documentation

Fixed access systems must meet regulatory and safety requirements.


EMFab access installations:


  • Align with SANS 508 standards
  • Are load-rated and verified during installation
  • Include documentation suitable for inspections and audits


Proper documentation ensures systems are defensible during safety reviews.

Square manhole cover with a grid of oval openings.

Materials and System Types

Access systems are exposed to constant use and environmental conditions.


Material options include:


  • Marine-grade stainless steel for coastal or corrosive environments
  • Hot-dip galvanised steel for industrial and inland applications


Anti-slip treads and protective finishes improve safety and longevity.

Red safety railing on a rooftop overlooking a Toyota dealership and lush greenery under a cloudy sky.

Integration with Fall Protection

Fixed access systems often form part of a wider height safety strategy.


They can be integrated with:


  • Roof anchor points
  • Horizontal and vertical lifelines
  • Guardrails and walkways


This allows continuous protection from access point to work area.

Inspection and Ongoing Support

Fixed ladders and platforms require routine inspection to remain compliant.


Inspection services include:


  • Annual safety inspections
  • Post-modification or weather-related checks
  • Updated inspection records and recommendations


Maintenance planning reduces unplanned downtime and safety risks.

Other Core Products & Solutions

Green stylized symbol: circle atop a stem, resting on a base with two horizontal rectangles.

Roof Anchor Systems

Person ziplining, wearing helmet and harness, green outline.

Horizontal & Vertical Lifelines

Green and yellow outdoor wooden deck with railings.

Guardrails, Walkways & Inverter Cages

Inspection, Testing & Maintenance

People Sometimes ask...

  • Are fixed ladders required to have fall protection?

    For climbs above specified heights, fall arrest systems or cages are required in line with SANS 508.

  • Can access systems be installed on existing buildings?

    Yes. Fixed ladders and platforms are commonly retrofitted following structural assessment.

  • Are platforms custom-sized?

    Yes. Platform dimensions are designed to suit the task, equipment, and available space.

  • How long does installation take?

    Most ladder and platform installations are completed within one to three days, depending on complexity.

If your facility requires regular, safe access at height, fixed ladders and platforms provide a reliable long-term solution.

Book an assessment to confirm the correct access layout, safety features, and compliance requirements for your site.

Free site assessments limited each month | Dont delay, contact us today | Certified SANS & ISO systems