Wet, Cold, Frozen And Hot Conditions; Heat; Major Fall And Impact Loading; Descent Path - 3M Deus 3000 Série Manuel D'instruction

Wet, cold, frozen and hot conditions

Wet or frozen rope, in general, creates more friction
than dry rope. Therefore, wet or frozen rope will
usually cause descent to be considerably slower than
dry rope.
Hot conditions, and especially when the descent
device has been laying in the sun, cause descents
to begin with the descent device at an elevated
temperature. An elevated starting temperature
means the heat generated during descent will cause
the descent device to get hotter quicker. See the
following section about "Heat".

Heat

Heat is a natural consequence of controlled descent.
The potential energy stored in a body at height is
converted to heat as it descends. The total amount
of heat generated during a descent is determined by
the load (kg/lbs) and the descent distance (height).
Descent speed affects the rate of heat generated, but
not the total amount of heat generated.
Some of the heat generated during descent
increases the temperature of the rope, some
increases the temperature of the descent device, and
some increases the temperature of your glove if you
are holding onto the free end of the rope.
To limit and manage the heat generated during
descent, do these things:
a) Always wear leather or heat resistant gloves.
b) Lighten the load by getting rid of excess gear.
c) Descend slowly and under manual control by
tailing the free end of the rope with your gloved
hand to give heat an opportunity to radiate from
the controlled descent device.
d) Use a DEUS heat-resistant rope for descents
longer than 30 meters / 100 feet.
e) Do not exceed load and vertical distance ratings
of the controlled descent device.
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Major fall and impact loading

L
WARNING: Impact loading and major
falls place tremendous stress on all of the
components in a vertical rescue system,
stress that can damage equipment and make
it unsafe to use. Do not continue to use a
DEUS 3000 Series descent device or other
components of the system with which this
device was used after a major fall or a major
impact (fall of the device or impact on the
device). Even though no external signs may be
visible, a deformation may restrict its operation
or internal damage may have occurred,
thus reducing its strength. Call 3M to make
arrangments for a factory inspection of your
DEUS 3000 Series descent device if subjected to
a major fall or impact loading. Do not hesitate to
contact 3M in case of doubt.

Descent path

L
WARNING: Use care in selecting the vertical
descent path used during an escape or rescue.
Regardless of descent velocity, landing on or
encountering dangerous objects during descent
can cause serious injury.

Pinch hazard

L
WARNING: Be careful not to wrap loaded
end of rope around hand or fingers prior to
initiating descent. Do not put hand under loaded
rope going over an edge prior to initiating
descent. Do not wrap free end of rope around
hand. Do not grab loops of rope. All of these
things can result in dangerous pinching hazards.