Safety line (fall protection system) load test

[DomDunk]

Hello,

What standard defines the load test for a safety line protection system?

I want to know if I can certify a safety line using a non-destructive load test.

Thanks,

Daniel

 

[DomDunk]

I clarify that I mean to certify a structure that supports a safety line.

I want to load the structure, not the elements of the safety line

 

[robyengIT]

in Europe : elements of the safety line according to EN 795.
Supporting structure to be designed according to the loads of EN 795 and to Eurocodes

 

[DomDunk]

Thanks,

I'm working with USA standards.

For person 8.00 kN * 2 (security factor) = 16.00 kN (approximately).

I'm thinking of carrying a load between 800 kg and 1600 kg. Through calculation model I will make sure that the structure remains in elastic field.

What do you think about?

 

[Geoff13]

I'm not sure what you're installing so I'll throw out a few thoughts.
[ul]
[li]In the US I think it's 5,000 lb (22.2 kN) for a typical anchor point. However this is a breaking strength load and your structure does not need to remain elastic.[/li]
[li]I believe you can use 2xMAF, but only for an anchor "designed, installed and used as part of a complete fall arrest system, and used under the supervision of a qualified person". [/li]
[li]However, "... a safety line ..." in your original post makes me think of a horizontal lifeline (HLL), in which case there's no way of knowing the required anchor strength without a complete HLL system design calculation in accordance with Z359.6 or equivalent.[/li]
[li]Or is your "safety line" a travel restraint line with much lower requirements?[/li]
[/ul]

I haven't seen a fall protection code that requires load testing.

 

[CANPRO]

Geoff, it’s been a little while since I’ve done this kind of work so I could be wrong...I believe anchor requirements are eventually all referenced back to CSA Z271, which specifies the test requirements. I think it was 2500lbs for some period of time without permanent deformation.

DomDunk, what do you mean by safety line system? A cable placed between two anchors? Your actual cable tension will be well above your MAF, and could easily exceed 5000lbs depending on the initial installation.

For certifying an existing system, I would pull test the anchors. For the cable and hardware, I’d ask for manufactures certs, and if there are none...I think I’d have a hard time signing off on that. The cable doesn’t need to be tested, just the anchors. Some horizontal lines come with built in energy absorbers which would be impossible to test in place.

 

[Geoff13]

The OP said he was working to USA standards, so I tried to list their requirements rather than CSA that we would follow. Of course 2,500 lb with no deformation is similar to 5,000 lb at breaking.

 

[DomDunk]

Thanks,

The structure is similar to this

https://www.rigidlifelines.com/products/anchor-track-systems/permanent-systems/inverted-l

They asked me to certify if the system (anchors in base plates and structure) meets the resistance established by the standard by a load test.

 

[Geoff13]

Since you say "similar" I assume it's not actually from this company.

You need to ask the manufacturer of the fall arrest structure what test load they would recommend. It should depend on the type of fall arrest equipment the system is designed to be used with and the number of workers permitted in a span. Hopefully they designed the structure to the same standard you're being asked to certify it to.

 

[DomDunk]

It is not a structure of the link company that I sent. That web page is only for you to see what structure I must certify.

As I said, I have the structural calculation, which indicates the design load of 32.00 kN (two people).

I will try to improve the question. As you said: the "structure does not need to remain elastic." Can I certify the line without loading it with design strength? For example, with 70% of 32.00 kN. I would measure the deflections to see if they are congruent with the calculation.

 

[Ron]

Check the OSHA standard if in the US