Functions And Description; Operating Principle; Warnings Against Hazardous Operations - Tractel Blocfor AES Instructions D'emploi

Functions and description

Recommendations for use (figure 1) :
• The Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester is a retractable fall arrester
complying with standard EN 360. This equipment must only
be used by a person equipped with a fall arresting harness
(EN 361).
• The Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester must only be used
for protection of personnel against falls when working at heights.
• The Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester must be secured to an
anchor point, with a resistance (R) of 10 kN or more, using its
GB
connector. The retractable lanyard must be connected by its
connector to the dorsal anchor point of the fall arrest harness
(Figure 1b) .
• The user must contain movement to a swing space of 20° to the
vertical of the anchor point (Figure 1.c) .
• The Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester must be protected against
the infiltration of any material inside the housing (paint, sand,
mud, etc.).
• Limitations of use (Figure 1) .
• The working load of the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester is
100 kg.
• Operating temperature:
-35°C to 60°C for Blocfor™ automatic fall arresters.
• The Blocfor™ can be connected to a temporary TRACPODE™
tripod type anchor point (Figure 1.h) .
Special case: Blocfor™ 1.8 ESD
• The Blocfor™ 1.8 ESD automatic fall arrester (Figure 5.a) must
be secured to an anchor point, with a resistance (R) of 10 kN
or more, using the connector located at the top of the device.
The M47 connector secured at the end of the energy absorber
of the retractable lanyard must always be connected to the fall
arrester harness anchor point. Any other combination in use is
dangerous and prohibited.
• The Blocfor™ 1.8B ESD automatic fall arrester (Figure 5.b)
must be connected using its M47 connector attached at the end
of the energy absorber to the fall arrester harness anchor point.
The connector at the end of the retractable lanyard must be
connected to an anchor point with a resistance (R) anchor
of 10 kN or more. Any other combination in use is dangerous
and prohibited.
Horizontal use:
Blocfor™ automatic fall arresters have been tested in horizontal
use in accordance with European spec. CNB/P/11.060
October 2014, according to the type A on edge radius min.
0.5 mm: see technical specification table above.
Before using the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester, check (Figures
1d and 1f) :
- If the edge is considered to be sharp or if there are burrs, take all
necessary measures to avoid falling over the edge or set up a
protection on the edge. The edge radius (R Min) must conform
with the technical specification table above (figure f.bis) .
- Check that the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester anchor point is
located at the same height or above the edge.
- Check that the angle formed by the lanyard in contact with
the edge, in the event of a fall, is less than 90° (figure f bis) .
- The distance between the anchor point of the Blocfor™
automatic fall arrester device and the edge (L min) must conform
with the technical specifications in table above (figure f) .
- To reduce the risk of swinging, the movement of the user
is limited to a maximum distance of lateral displacement
perpendicular to the edge (Max M) which must conform with the
technical specification table above (figure 1.d) .
- That there is no obstacle under the suspension / swing area in
the event of a fall.
- Check that there are no obstacles along the swinging path in the
event of a fall.
- Check that a specific rescue plan has been set up in the event
of a fall.
8
Note: the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester in horizontal use
has not been tested in combination with a lifeline compliant with
EN 795 Class C.
Automatic fall arrester with metal cable or synthetic rope:
For use of a Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester devices horizon tally,
a 2 m long, 27 mm wide strap lanyard ref. 035032 (figure 1.f)
must be used between the wire rope end connector of the device
and the user fall arrest harness.
When the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester is used horizontally,
make sure that a fall will be arrested on the strap lanyard
(length 2 m) when working on a terrace roof.
A Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester can be used without lanyard on
a tubular structure with a diameter of over 45 mm (figure 1.e) .
Automatic fall arrester with synthetic strap:
For use of a strap-type a Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester
horizontally, it is not necessary to fit a 27 mm-wide lanyard
between the end connector of the device and the user fall
arrest harness.

Operating principle

Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester AES:
In the event of a fall, the mechanism inside the Blocfor™
automatic fall arrester gradually locks using a disk brake system,
and the fall is stopped smoothly with a fall value less than 6 kN.
When the user is climbing or descending, the lanyard is
maintained tensioned by the return spring.
In addition, the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester AES device is
equipped with a patented safety system which ensures that a
user's fall will be safely arrested, even if the fall occurs when the
wire rope is entirely extended from the Blocfor™ automatic
fall arrester AES device.
Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester ESD:
In the event of a fall, the mechanism located inside the Blocfor™
automatic fall arrester instantaneously locks by means of a
ratchet system and the fall is stopped gently by a tear-type energy
absorber with a stop value of less than 6 kN. When climbing
and/or descending, the lanyard user is maintained tensioned by
the return spring.
In addition, the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester ESD device is
equipped with a safety system which ensures that the user is
stopped under safe conditions, even if the fall occurs when
the strap is entirely extended outside the Blocfor™ automatic
fall arrester ESD unit.
Clearance
The air clearance H (figure 1.g) is the free space under the feet of
the user. It is defined by the formula:
H = 3 m + Hp
which breaks down as follows:
3 m = height of fall with the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester:
2 metres + 1 meter security.
Hp = maximum deflection of the anchor point defined in the
instructions for use of the anchor point.
Warnings against hazardous
operations
Figure 2.
It is strictly forbidden:
• to install or use the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester without first
having been authorised, trained and recognised to be qualified
in the use of the device, or otherwise, without the supervision of
an authorised technician, trained and recognised to be qualified
in use of the device.
• to use the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester if any of the markings
are not legible.
• to install or use the Blocfor™ automatic fall arrester without first
having carried out the preliminary checks.