Fall arrest on a vertical lifeline with ASAP LOCK and ASAP
Warnings
- Carefully read the Instructions for Use used in this technical advice before consulting the advice itself. You must have already read and understood the information in the Instructions for Use to be able to understand this supplementary information.
- Mastering these techniques requires specific training. Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised.
- We provide examples of techniques related to your activity. There may be others that we do not describe here.
The use of a mobile fall arrester on a lifeline corresponds to the EN 353-2 and ANSI Z359-15 standards, described in the Instructions for Use for ASAP and ASAP LOCK. While the user progresses on the structure by climbing or walking (tower, ladder, roof...), the mobile fall arrester follows their movements and serves to stop a potential fall. The mobile fall arrester must not be used for work positioning; for this application the user can be equipped with a positioning lanyard (GRILLON, PROGRESS...)
EN 353-2 and ANSI Z359-15 certified applications
1. With ASAP LOCK
EN 353-2 certified for use with ASAP’AXIS, AXIS and PARALLEL with sewn termination.
ANSI Z359-15 certified for use with RAY.
2. With ASAP
With ASAP, the user can choose to use an energy absorber or not, for reasons of convenience: the absorber allows the rope to be kept at a distance from the work station.
EN 353-2 certified for use with ASAP’AXIS
ANSI Z359-15 certified for use with RAY.
Note: the ANSI Z359-15 standard requires that the connectors cannot be removed without using a tool: use the CAPTIV bar.
Possible non-certified use with AXIS and PARALLEL tied to the anchor
A rope strength requirement specified by EN 353-2 prevents the certification of the ASAP LOCK and the ASAP on AXIS and PARALLEL tied to the anchor. These ropes cannot withstand the required 22 kN with a figure-eight knot: only the sewn terminations are able to do so.
However, Petzl considers the strength of these ropes with a figure-eight knot (15kN for PARALLEL, 19 kN for AXIS) sufficient to avoid presenting a risk to the user in normal use with a mobile fall arrester.
Possible non-certified use of the ASAP with AXIS and PARALLEL
Two combined requirements of the EN 353-2 standard prevent the certification of the ASAP on AXIS and PARALLEL:
- The loads produced in the fall test must not exceed 6 kN.
- If the mobile fall arrester can be used with a removable energy absorber, then it must pass all of the tests with no energy absorber.
During the dynamic performance test of the ASAP without an energy absorber on AXIS and PARALLEL in accordance with the EN 353-2 protocol, the values obtained are close to 6 kN. The same test on ASAP’AXIS enables a result below 6 kN to be obtained, due to the energy dissipater integrated into this rope.
This is the reason why only the ASAP’AXIS is compatible with the ASAP’s EN 353-2 certification. It allows use with or without an energy absorber.
However, the certification test is done close to the anchor (30 cm). The value would be below 6 kN on AXIS or PARALLEL if the test were done at a distance greater than one meter from the anchor, due to part of the energy being absorbed by rope stretch. The test protocol is much more severe than what a worker could encounter in a real situation.
Conclusion: provided that precautions are taken to limit the risk of falling when close to the anchor, and that all precautions stated in the ASAP and ASAP'SORBER Instructions for Use are followed, Petzl considers that there is no real risk for the user when using the ASAP attached without an energy absorber to Petzl PARALLEL 10.5 mm and AXIS 11 mm ropes.
