Rooftop fabric dispensing apparatus

An apparatus for dispensing a rolled fabric over spaced support beams on a rooftop, comprising:

• a frame;
• and
• a first and second hub attached to the frame and configured to receive opposite ends of a roll of the rolled fabric;
• wherein the first hub is an expansion hub configured to alternate between a contracted position and an expanded position.

A method of providing fall protection on a rooftop that includes a plurality of spaced support beams, the method comprising:

• providing a roll of fabric, the roll having a first end and a second end;
• providing a dispensing apparatus having a frame, a first and second hub attached to the frame, and a hub brake that includes the first hub, the hub brake having a locked position in which the first hub resists rotational motion and an unlocked position in which the first hub freely rotates;
• placing the first end of the roll on the first hub and placing the second end of the roll on the second hub;
• dispensing a continuous length of the fabric by unwinding the roll, the continuous length including a first portion and a second portion;
• securing the first portion of the fabric to the rooftop by sandwiching it between the support beams and one or more roof panels;
• positioning the dispensing apparatus on the rooftop such that the second portion of the fabric, disposed between the first portion and the roll, overlays the support beams in a region devoid of any roof panels;
• and
• holding the second portion of the fabric in place at least in part by placing the hub brake in the locked position.