ᐅ Atrium fall protection with minimal loss of natural light

Dear community,

I would appreciate your valued help and ideas for a fall protection solution for my light wells (ground floor plan attached). The light wells are very wide (2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) and 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in)) and approximately one meter (3 ft 3 in) deep each. Fall protection is necessary because the drop into the light well is 1.2 m (4 ft) deep.

The common solutions I found online using grating panels with 2.5 cm (1 inch) thickness and mesh sizes of 33 mm (1.3 inches) or 66 mm (2.6 inches) do not seem ideal, as I worry that too much light will be lost. A railing is also not an option for us, since we do not find it visually appealing.

Does anyone have a clever solution that on one hand ensures that no child can fall into the light well, but on the other hand allows as much light as possible to pass through for the office and guest room located in the basement?

Best regards!

Well, I don't think there's much more to it.
The easiest option for the railing would definitely be stainless steel with wire cables. It doesn’t block any light. If you don’t like that, then glass is another option. That will be more expensive, though.

How much space do you have in front of the light wells? If it only goes down about 1.20 meters (4 feet), then extend it further out and add a step with a second row of L-shaped concrete blocks. Then it only goes down 2 times 0.6 meters (2 times 2 feet). That way, you won’t need anything else.

face26 schrieb:

Well, I don’t think there’s much more to it.
A railing would be the simplest—definitely stainless steel with wire cables. It doesn’t block any light. If you don’t like that, then glass is another option, but it will be more expensive.

How much space do you have in front of the light wells? If it only goes down 1.20 meters (4 feet), then extend it outward and add a step with a second row of L-shaped concrete blocks, so you only go down 2 times 0.6 meters (2 times 2 feet). Then you won’t need anything else.

The light well is already fixed, and unfortunately, I couldn’t create any steps in front since I wouldn’t be able to get around the house anymore (the plot is relatively small). I only found the following picture, which I like.

Can anyone tell me what would be needed for this and whether it is child-safe?

Best regards

Just as an alternative, without knowing exactly whether there might be clear disadvantages. How about laminated safety glass? You would of course need to come up with a suitable support solution, but if done properly, it is walkable and lets in as much light as possible.

The version shown in the picture probably isn’t really child-safe, since it’s still easy to slip your foot through. Another option could be a welded wire mesh panel that can then be adjusted accordingly!?

Well, whether it looks good in the picture? You will simply have to go to a metalworker. If I were you, I would do that anyway and ask what other ideas they might have. It will have to be custom-made anyway.

And as I already mentioned, glass, walkable, but that is probably very expensive.

I would seriously consider using wire cable as a railing instead.

BauNoobie schrieb:

Can someone tell me what would be needed for this and if it is childproof?

A locksmith would need to say. Childproof only means that no one can fall in. Bone fractures, if a leg gets caught between the bars, are something no doctor wants to treat.

Otherwise, I would say it looks like the ugly jail model “Alcatraz.”

It only becomes childproof with a complete cover. Children especially like climbing over ropes, fences, and especially walls. Balancing on the wall is a great game for them.

For ages 1-3, put up a small, inexpensive picket fence and teach the children not to enter the light well. That will probably be more effective than any elaborate and costly measures.
Experience of a father of three