Despite fall protection systems seem to be easy to install, in reality during montage of such devices one must note many aspects that have influence on final look, properties and effectiveness of given solution. Some flexible limit must be accepted while choosing right solution. Keeping in mind that fall protection system serves not only to increase safety working at a height but also improve and accelerate completion of endangered jobs. Professional montage starts with planning stage, where eventual risks are leveled and optimized method is chosen that both protects and supports work at a height. Montage of our solution in fall protection field is done by experienced installers that are certified to mount Absorber systems.
Montage of fall protection systems happens mostly on roofs and facades but also on construction sites during erection of buildings or over work area. It should be done by trained and formally prepared people than have proper medial certificates, after OHS courses and with alpinist training.
Montage process needs to be spread out to separate stages to optimize whole process: knowledge, experience, right solutions, project approach, accordance to norms, precise design, familiarity with montage technique, design analysis, montage in compliance with safety rules.
One of many issues that are not obvious is situation where anchorage pole’s base plate is mounted directly to load-bearing surface and then covered with warming layer or isolation.
Even when answer seem obvious and easy, according to EN795 norm it is not. Despite all components being tested in accordance to the norm, it does not mean it can be mounted to all surfaces with any method. You cannot state that this solution will protect its user. Generally accepted requirement used in practice is comparing the same product range and analyzing them by standards given by law and construction requirements. We must clearly quote EN795 norm, which states that anchorage points montage under warming layer is incorrect, so such system cannot be declared as accordant with European norm. However many montages are done this way and we have to remember that it still fulfills its purpose and working on such system is better than having no protection.
EN795:2012 norm clearly states then pole’s base must by mounted over warming layer and then be isolated and sealed. It is worth mentioning that waterproof sealing is separate technical chapter in fall protection field and really influences final montage and usage of fall protection system.
The most important thing for investor during choosing and installing system is its accordance to the norm and choice of experienced installer that will provide complete documentation after montage.
Fall protection system montage by not specialized companies is not recommended as they lack proper training and knowledge in the field. System aims to save and protect lives, so installer takes enormous responsibility for proper functioning of given system. Fall protection must be installed only in accordance with montage instructions with tested methods and components. No recommendation for montage under warming layer is based and it is important to point dangers associated with this method.
Direct link of anchorage pole’s base and roof’s surface creates thermal bridge. In this configuration one material has higher heat conduction coefficient than the other. In such case temperature difference between buildings inside and on various layers outside is changed and heat loss is increased. This whole process can create places where moisture is accumulating and even mold can appear. Additionally heat loss can increase warming costs. Therefore it is important to optimize montage process. This occurrence is quite common and causes problems to both designers and installers. Another danger during safety line systems montage against norms is level of placing grommet and height of anchorage pole which can turn out to be too low after applying warming and isolation. This can lead to not visible system, preventing workers from using it properly. Here comes another aspect concerning marking fall protection systems and anchorage points – subject raised on our blog. Another consequence can be safety line dropping on the roof, which on hot days can melt into roofing felt or saw through various isolation layers. With this montage it is hard to determine correct way of anchoring pole’s base to load-bearing construction. For servicing this may cause impossibility to audit the system, because service technician cannot take responsibility for unseen link. To inspect it, he would have to remove whole warming layer which generates additional costs. Also in case of random kick, stepping on the line or just general use of the system due to its flexibility isolation can be torn. When points are installed according to norms all pins and anchors are rigidly fixed and do not stir even when force is applied. With all this reasons in mind we must make sure all fall protection systems are installed properly.
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