Falltech FT-R SRL Manuel De L'utilisateur page 5

2.1 American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA):
The SRD discussed in this manual meets the standards of ANSI Z359.14-2021, ANSI A10.32-2012, and
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations 1926.502 and 1910.140. ANSI
requires SRDs be classified according to the type of usage the user would be exposed to, and are
tested either as Class 1 or Class 2. Dynamic performance means that the SRD is installed in a testing
drop tower. A test weight is attachedto the SRD and then dropped. Test results are recorded.
Parameters recorded are:
•
Arrest Distance (AD)
•
Average Arrest Force (AAF)
•
Maximum Arrest Force (MAF)
The Arrest Distance is the total vertical distance required to arrest a fall. The Arrest Distance includes
the deceleration distance and the activation distance. The Average Arrest Force is the average of the
forces applied to the body and the anchorage by the fall protection system. The Maximum Arrest Force
is the maximum amount of force that may be applied to the body and the anchorage by the fall
protection system. In addition to the above tests conducted in ambient conditions, the units must be
retested for average and peak forces under certain environmental conditions, where the units are
cooled, then tested, heated, then tested, or saturated in water and tested again. Separate units may be
used for each test. All test results are recorded.
This test data is then used to establish the basis for fall clearance guidelines published in the user
instruction manual.
Class 1 and 2: Class 1 devices shall be used only on overhead anchorages and shall be subjected to
a maximum free fall of 2 feet (0.6 m) or less. Class 2 devices are intended for applications where an
overhead anchorage may not be available or feasible and be subjected to a free fall of no more than 6
feet (1.8 m) over an edge.
To be declared a Class 1 and Class 2 device, ANSI requires an SRD to have an overhead Arrest
Distance of less than 42" (1.1 m), an Average Arrest Force of less than 1,350 lbs (6 kN) [1,575 lbs (7 kN)
conditioned] and a Maximum Arresting Force of 1,800 lbs (8 kN), for both ambient and conditioned
testing.
When dynamically tested in accordance with requirements of ANSI Z359.14-2021, FallTech Class 1 and
Class 2 Self-Retracting Devices have an AAF of 1,350 lbs (6 KN) or less and an AD of less than 42" (1.1
m).
Please see Section 5 of this user instruction manual for how to calculate your Minimum Required Fall
Clearance (MRFC).
Class 2 SRLs shall include labels illustrating a fall clearance table and a diagram of the axes shown on
the table. These labels shall be affixed to the product. The FT-R Leading Edge includes these labels in
the Energy Absorber.
Please see Section 5.2 of this user instruction manual for how to calculate your Minimum Required Fall
Clearance (MRFC) using the affixed labels.
Classification information found on product labels is based on test results. Table 1B provides test
performance results for the SRD discussed in this manual.
NOTE: Arrest distance is one of several parts of the Minimum Required Fall Clearance (MRFC). MRFC is
discussed in detail in Section 5 .
OSHA requires an SRD limit the free fall to 2 feet (0.9 m) or less. If the maximum free fall distance must
be exceeded, the employer must document, based on test data, that the maximum arresting force will
not be exceeded, and the personal fall arrest system will function properly. The SRD discussed in this
manual was successfully tested for horizontal use and falls over a steel edge without burrs, as found
on steel shapes and metal sheeting, and may be used in situations where a fall may occur over similar
edges, such as found on steel shapes or metal sheeting.
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