Climbing Technology SPARROW 200R Manuel page 8

The instruction manual for this device consists of general and specific instructions,
both must be carefully read and understood before use. Attention! This leaflet
shows the specific instruction only.
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS SPARROW 200R.
This note contains the necessary information for a correct use of the following
product/s: self-braking descender Sparrow 200R.
1) FIELD OF APPLICATION.
EN 12841:2006-C - Rope adjustment device / descender: to be used with
ropes (core + sheath) static or semi-static EN 1891-A Ø 10,5÷11 mm. EN
341:2011-2A - rescue descender: to be used exclusively with the ropes indicated
in the table (Fig.1). This product is a personal protective device (P.P.E.) against falls
from height; it is compliant with the Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Attention! For
this product the indications of the standard EN 365 must be respected (general
instructions / paragraph 2.5). Attention! For this product a periodic thorough
inspection is compulsory (general instructions / paragraph 8.)
2) NOTIFIED BODIES.
Refer to the legend in the general instructions (paragraph 9 / table D): M2; M3;
N1.
3) NOMENCLATURE.
Components of the device (Fig. 3): A) Counter-block; B) Snapping catch; C) At-
tachment slot; D) Control handle; E) Fixed side plate; F) Cam; G) Cam pivot; H)
Feed rope slot; I) Sliding side plate; L) Safety catch. Components of the system
(Fig. 4.1-4.2): M) Anchor point; N) Engaged side of the rope; O) Hand con-
trolling the descent; P) Descender; Q) Free end of the rope; R) Connector for linking
to the harness or anchor point; S) Hand holding the free end of the rope. Handle
positions (Fig. 4.3): T) Stand-by / Safety work positioning; U) Work positioning;
V) Start descending; X) Maximum descent speed; Y) (EBS) extra braking system.
3.1 - Main materials. Refer to the legend in the general instructions (paragraph
2.4): 2 (cam, counter-blocks, hinges, springs); 3(side plates), 7 (handle, safety
catch).
4) MARKING.
Numbers/letters without caption: refer to the legend in the general instructions
(paragraph 5).
4.1 - General (Fig. 2). Indications: 1; 4; 6; 7; 8; 11; 12; 30) Indication of the
free end of the rope; 31) Indication for the anchored/engaged side of the rope;
32) Indication about the work modes of the control handle; 33) Admitted diameter
and type of ropes (EN 12841); 34) Maximum work load permitted (EN 12841);
35) Permitted rope models (EN 341); 36) Min and Max work load permitted (EN
341); 37) Max descent length permitted (EN 341); 38) Lowest temperature of use
permitted (EN 341). Attention! EN 341:2011 is not included in the harmonized
standards for PPE, the CE marking refers solely to EN 12841:2006.
4.2 - Traceability (Fig. 2). Indications : T1 ; T3; T8 ; T9.
5) CHECKS.
Further to the checks listed below, comply with what indicated in the general
instructions (paragraph 3).
Before each use, verify that: the cam rotates freely, without jamming and the spring
of the cam snaps it in the rope locking position; the cam is not worn out especially
in the area where it locks on to the rope and inside the grove for the rope; the
connector placed in the attachment slot is free to rotate unimpeded; the control
handle works properly, the spring sets back the handle in to the "REST" position;
the mobile side plate hooks properly on to the hinge of the cam; the control handle
rotates correctly without impediments.
During each use: ensure the rope is always in tension to avoid possible free-falls;
avoid having slack rope between the anchor and the attachment on the harness;
pay special attention to the wear of aramid fiber ropes since they are exposed to
quicker deterioration. Attention! Before you apply a load on to the device, make
a thorough good working order check.
6) ISTRUCTIONS FOR USE.
Any activity carried out at height requires the use of Personal Protection Equipment
(PPE) as a protection against the risk of a fall. Before accessing the work station,
all the risk factors must be evaluated (environmental, concomitant, consequential).
6.1 - Warnings. Only anchor points that comply with the EN 795 standard can
be used (minimum strength 12 kN or 18 kN for non-metallic anchors) that do not
have sharp edges. The anchor point must be always located at or above waist
level to minimize the eventual free fall distance (Fig. 7.1).
6.2 - Inserting and removing the rope. Connect the Sparrow 200R to the ventral
ring of your full body harness (Fig. 5) or to the anchor point (Fig. 6), using a
locking karabiner certified to EN 362:2004 (max.120mm); open the mobile
side plate; insert the rope following the instructions on the device; close the mobile
side plate (ensure the safety catch is properly closed). In difficult conditions, when
you need a stronger braking action, or lowering a heavy weight from an anchor
point, pull the free end of the rope through the snapping catch, you will have
better control over the descent.
6.3 - Good working order check. Before each use verify the good working con-
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ditions of the device. Attention! Before following this procedure, you must safety
backup on abseil. Use with a fall arrest harness (Fig. 8.1): 1) Pulling on the
engaged side of the rope, the cam must lock the device: in case it doesn't, check
the correct insertion of the rope. 2) Load progressively your weight on the device,
holding the free-end of the rope: The cam must lock on to the rope. If the cam locks
on to the rope, the device is working properly and is ready to use. If the Cam
doesn't lock the device, check whether the rope has been correctly inserted, if
the device still doesn't lock on to the rope, remove it from further use immediately.
Use on an anchor point (Fig. 8.2): 1) Remember to pull the free end of the rope
through the snapping catch. 2) Pulling on the engaged side of the rope, the cam
must lock on to the rope. If the Cam doesn't lock the device, check whether the
rope has been correctly inserted, if the device still doesn't lock on to the rope,
remove it from further use immediately.
6.4 - EBS (Extraordinary braking system). EBS is security systems that decreases
the speed rather than increase it, when the lever is accidentally pulled down-
wards. Attention! This maneuver has to be used only in case of emergency and
not during normal employment. Regular use of this safety system may lead to a
faster wear of the rope. To resume the descent, firmly hold the free end of the rope
and gradually release the control handle back in to the "REST" position. At this
stage you can re-start descending following the instruction above.
7) SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS EN 12841:2006.
The Sparrow 200R descender is a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) intended to
be incorporated in a rope access system. The Sparrow 200R descender is a rope
length adjuster type C intended for descending a rope (anchor line). Attention!
Rope length adjusters must not be used for fall arrest. Attention! An anchor line
loaded with the entire weight of the user, has to be considered a work line and is
not meant to arrest a fall. It is mandatory to use a fall arrest back-up device type A
connected to a safety line. Pay attention that the back-up system is never loaded
on to the work line.
7.1 - Abseil of one person (Fig. 9). Holding the free end of the rope, gradually
pull on the control handle to adjust the speed. For difficult abseils, requiring a
stronger brake power, insert the free end of the rope through the snapping catch
in order to have a better control over the heavy weight and gradually pull on the
control handle to adjust the speed. Attention! Always hold the free end of the
rope whilst abseiling. To stop the descent, let the control handle go: The lever
will spontaneously return to "REST" mode. No further maneuvers are required to
up-keep the position hands free. For avoiding any interfering with the handle or to
work more comfortably, it's possible to shift the control handle on to "STAND BY"
mode. Attention! Never lose governance over your abseil, it may result difficult
to regain control.
7.2 - Warnings. 1) Always wear a pair of good suitable gloves to protect your
hands when manoeuvring the device and the rope. 2) Use only static or semi-
static rope (core + sheath) Ø 10,5÷11 mm certified to EN 1891 type A (For the
certification of this device, the following rope has been employed: Bornack TEC
Static Pro 11 mm; Teufelberger Patron 10,5; Teufelberger Patron Plus 11); 3) There
aren't restrictions for the length or slant of sloped pathways. 4) No special precau-
tions are required when accessing sloped trails. 5) Any overloading or loading on
the device can harm the anchor line. 6) Never use lanyards or extensions of any
mean to connect the device to your harness. 7) During use, the anchor point must
always be placed above the waist belt attachment point of your harness. 8) The
technical performances of the anchor line might vary considerably, due to dirt,
moisture, ice, repeated descents on the same stretch: keep in mind that these vari-
ances will influence the behaviour of the rope inside the device, and consequently,
the speed of descent.
8) SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS EN 341:2011.
The Sparrow 200R descender can be employed in rescue operations.
8.1 - Accompanied descent, device on the harness (Fig. 10). Insert the free end of
the rope through the snapping catch. Holding the free end of the rope, gradually
pull on the control handle to adjust the descent speed. To stop the descent, let the
control handle go: The lever will spontaneously return to "REST" mode. Attention!
Always hold the free end of the rope whilst abseiling. Attention! Never lose gov-
ernance over your abseil, it may result difficult to regain control.
8.2 - Descent from an anchor point (Fig. 10-12). Insert the free end of the rope
through the snapping catch; hold the free end of the rope gently push up the
control lever to release the rope gradually. To adjust the speed, vary the hold over
the free end of the rope. To stop the descent, let the control handle go: The lever
will spontaneously return to "REST" mode. No further maneuvers are required to
up-keep the position hands free. Attention! Always hold thight the free end of the
rope whilst lowering the load. When you are lowering a light weight (30-50 kg)
and you have difficulties feeding the rope (rope might be dirty, wet of too stiff), you
can release the rope from the snapping catch, advance the hand holding the free
end of the rope to control the speed. Attention! Pay attention that the hand holding
the free end of the rope doesn't get too close to the device. Attention! Never lose
governance over your abseil, it may result difficult to regain control.
8.3 - Warnings. 1) Always wear a pair of good suitable gloves to protect your
hands when manoeuvring the device and the rope. 2) Verify that the connections
of the device and the anchor are arranged correctly, in such a way that the abseil
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