Frequently Asked Questions What is the working load ? Working load limit(wll) is the maximum load which should ever be applied to the product, under any condition. The wll is based on a load uniformly applied in a straight line pull. What is breaking strength? Breaking strength is an average figure under laboratory conditions, in straight line pulls with constantly increasing loads. These conditions are rarely duplicated in actual use. Do not use breaking strength for design or rating purposes, use working load limit (wll) figures What is shock load ? Loads which exceed the static load caused by rapid change or movement, such as jerking, impacting, or swinging of loads. Working load limits (wll) will not apply Why should I inspect my fall protection gear ? No product can operate indefinitely at its rated capacity. Cable, wire rope, rope, chains, attachments, fall protection gear, and hardware must all be inspected regularly. Inspect for visible damage, distortion, elongation, corrosion, cracks, nicks, or abrasions. These may cause failure or reduce the strength or ability of these products to perform safely. Any product will break, iif misused, overused, or abused. How should I care for my rope ? Keeping track of the ropes history, is the best way to know its condition. Start a log for each of your ropes. Log out and in, note the use, and any damage. Ropes can be damaged in many ways. The main culprits are UV light, chemicals, oil, sharp objects, and abuse. Don't store your rope in direct sunlight. Avoid oil, chemicals, and even chemical fumes. Using a rope bag will prolong the life of your rope, Never step on your rope, this grinds particles of dirt into the rope's core. Give your rope a bath on occasion. Retire your rope, when it shows signs of wear. Each line should be inspected before being used, even if the line has never been previously used. It is impossible to state when to retire a line, but if you have any doubts, about the integrity of the line, retire it. How should I care for my harness ? Any harness will wear with use. Read and keep , the manufacturer's instructions for inspection. Keep a harness log, showing the history of use. Harnesses require the same care and attention you would give your rope. Inspect your harness each time you use it, if it shows signs of wear, such as fading or abrasion, it should be retired. Keep it stored in a dry clean environment, not in your trunk or garage. Under normal wear, a harness should last around two years. But, if in doubt, replace it for safety's sake What does NFPA,ANSI,CSA,and CI approval mean ? NFPA stands for National Fire Protection Association. NFPA standards are based on industry consensus and voluntary compliance. NFPA 183 standard on fire service, life safety rope and system components, sets standards for rope rescue equipment. ANSI stands for American National Standards Institute. CSA is the Canadian Standards Association. ANSI and CSA are industry organizations, made up of manufacturers and consumers. They test products for perfomance standards. Meeting the standards, indicates that the products have passed accepted testing procedures. These standards, are not enforceable as law. However, many OSHA regulations, which are enforceable as law, have been adopted from ANSI standards. CI stands for Cordage Institute. This is an association of rope manufacturers, that work to develop cordage standards for rope specifications and performance How strong is rope ? NFPA standarizes rope by requiring the manufacturers to use the minimum breaking strength. In 1995, they took it a step further by using a "3 sigma" process. This is the mean result of five test samples, less three standard deviations. This creates a confidence level, of 99.87%, that any sample of rope will be stronger than the reported minimum breaking strength. What is the difference between static and low-stretch rope ? The Cordage Institute classifies ropes as static or low-stretch. Static ropes have less than 6% elongation, when measured at 10% of their minimum breaking strength. Low-stretch ropes have a 6-10% elongation, when measured at 10% of their minimum breaking strength. Static ropes are best for situations, which demand high strength and stable positioning, without creep. Low-stretch ropes may be more appropriate. where impacts are likely. Where can I get more information regarding regulations for fall protection ? You may obtain copies oif regulations that apply to your work activities for fall protection from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Washington, D,C., American National Standards Institute(ANSI), New York, N.Y., and Canadian Standards Association(CSA), Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. You might also look for their respectuve web sites. What do I look for when purchasing a harness ? Look for adequate tie-in points. Workers typically use front attachments. OSHA requires a rear attachment for fall protection. Fall protection harnesses, without a front attachment option can contribute to post-fall suspension trauma. The ergonomic design of a harness is most important for comfort. The harness should not constrict circulation or compress sensitive body parts while hanging. It should be comfortable to wear, so that the worker is not tempted to loosen it during use. The fit should be secure, to prevent the worker from falling out of it, even if hanging upside down. There should be adequate padding. Too much padding, can result in constriction, while too little, will cause discomfort or restricted circulation. What type of carabiner is best for me ? Carabiners come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. Some models have special features, that make them advantageous for a particular type of activity. Others work well, for all situations. Some are best used only to hold your key chain. Carabiners are manufactured from steel and aluminum. Stainless steel is a good choice for high corrosion environments. Aluminum carabiners combine high strength with low weight. Some say that the high strength aluminum alloys tend to be more brittle than the steel. Steel is more resistant to stress cracks, caused by dropping or rough handling. There are different shapes, oval, d, offset d, and pear shape. There are two types of gates, locking and non-locking. OSHA says you must have a double locking connector for fall protection. The best alternative is to have several options that can be tailored to the task at hand,. If you could not find an answer to your question in the information above, please e-mail us the question and we will respond promptly.

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