Climbing Technology by Aludesign S.p.A. via Torchio 22
24034 Cisano B.sco BG ITALY
www.climbingtechnology.com
7/40
IST52-FLABSCT_rev.1 05-21
ENGLISH
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 FLEX ABS 140.
This note contains the necessary information for a correct use of the following
product/s: energy absorbers with or without integrated lanyards. The group of
products includes the absorber by itself and the models equipped with I-shaped
elastic arms (single lanyard) or Y-shaped elastic arms (two lanyards) with or with-
out terminal connectors.
1) FIELD OF APPLICATION.
EN 355:2002 - Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Energy
absorbers. This product is a personal protective device (P.P.E.). It complies with
Regulation (UE) 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).
Attention!
Before using the equipment, read thor-
oughly, as well, the instructions for use that are specific to any connector provided
with the equipment.
1.1 - Warnings.
This device is provided with the innovative progressive fabric
energy absorber Slider (Patented), composed of a textile and a metal part. The
device has the purpose of gradually absorbing the impact force of a fall that may
occur while working, reducing it to values that are tolerated by the human body.
Attention!
As a result of a fall which has involved the energy absorber, the red
safety label will be torn apart (Fig. 5): the user must stop using the product and it
will need to be replaced immediately.
Attention!
Danger of death: do no use for
progression on via ferrata or for mountaineering activities.
Attention!
Do not insert
foreign objects inside the protective pouch.
2) NOTIFIED BODIES.
Refer to the legend in the general instructions (paragraph
9 / table D): M1; N1.
3) NOMENCLATURE
(Fig. 3). 1) Upper terminal connector/connectors. 2) Upper
connection loop/loops. 3) Elastic arm/arms. 4) Protective pouch. 5) Zip fastener.
6) Marking label. 7) Red safety label. 8) Textile part of the energy absorber. 9)
Metal part of the energy absorber. 10) Elastic band of the energy absorber. 11)
Lower connection loop. 12) Lower terminal connector.
3.1 - Main materials
. Refer to the legend in the general instructions (paragraph
2.4): 2-10-13 (energy absorber); 10-13 (elastic arm/arms); 7 (seams).
4) MARKING
.
Numbers/letters without caption: refer to the legend in the general instructions
(paragraph 5). Numbers/letters with asterisk (*): indication shown depending
on the model.
4.1 - General
(Fig. 1). Indications: 1; 2, 4; 6; 7; 8; 9; 11; 12; 30) Maximum
allowed length of the equipment, including elastic arms and terminal connectors,
if any; 31) Fillable area for identification of the device; 32*) Pictogram showing
the suitability for horizontal use of the device and precautions related to this use;
33) Maintenance symbols; 34) Maximum weight of the user, equipment included;
35*) Maximum length of the device including possible EN 354 lanyards and
connectors.
4.2 - Traceability
(Fig. 1)
.
Indications: T2; T3; T8; T9.
5) COMPATIBILITY.
This product can only be used in combination with CE-marked equipment: work
equipment such as connectors (EN 362), harnesses (EN 361), ropes (EN 1891),
etc.
Attention!
The presence of knots in the equipment can compromise its strength
(Fig. 7.14).
Attention!
The total length of a partial system with an energy absorber
including lanyard, end connections and connectors must not exceed 2 meters
(con l energy ab connector) (Fig. 4.2).
5.1 - Anchor points.
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.
Attention!
Pay attention to the anchors, which may
increase the height of the fall (e.g. anchors on slopes or vertical planes, flexible
textile anchors, etc.).
5.2 - Connectors.
In the connection loops, where necessary, only insert connectors
compliant with EN 362, preferably equipped with a stabilizing system along
the major axis (e.g. Fix Pro, ACL system, etc.). For a semi-permanent connection
to the harness, or for connecting the upper loop to connectors with eyelets, use
exclusively EN 362 quick links, closed as indicated in its own user instruction
manual.
Attention!
The energy absorber by itself (mod. 7W923O) can be used
in conjunction with EN 354 lanyards and EN 362 connectors without exceeding
the total length of 2 m.
6) CHECKS.
Further to the checks listed below, comply with what indicated in the general
instructions (paragraph 3).
6.1 - Inspection of the energy absorber.
To proceed with the inspection
it is necessary to open the protective pouch and check what is inside it.
At-
tention!
Be careful on the way the textile and/or metallic part of the energy
absorber is inserted inside the case, in order to put it back correctly once
the check has been done (Fig. 3.2).
Attention!
When repositioning the tex-
tile part inside the pouch, pay attention not to create knots on the webbing.
Before each use check that: the protective pouch is intact (e.g. no holes, cuts and
excessive wear) and the zip works correctly; the safety label is intact; there are no
tears in the stitching due to having arrested a fall or to a mishandling of the system.
During each use: make sure that the zip fastener is closed.
6.2 - Inspection of the elastic arms
(if present). Extend the elastic arm/arms in
order to inspect, along their full length, the textile parts (general instructions /
paragraph 3). Thoroughly inspect the end loops as well, as they are subject to
greater wear.
7) ISTRUCTIONS FOR USE.
The product is intended for use by people with a maximum weight of 140 kg,
equipment included. Within this limit the deceleration experienced by the user
remains within 6 g. Connect the bottom terminal connector of the equipment to the
EN 361 attachment point on the harness. Secure the upper terminal connector/
connectors to an anchor point compliant with EN 795, preferably positioned over
the head of the user. Where possible, when using Y-shaped equipment, both elas-
tic arms should be secured to the anchor point.
Attention!
If only one arm of the
lanyard is connected to the anchor point, the other arm should not be connected
to the harness (Fig. 7.8), unless otherwise indicated in the instructions for use of
the same harness (e.g. presence of loops or supports for the same purpose, e.g.
Hook Rest - Fig. 7.7): in this case the energy absorber may not work.
7.1 - Precautions for use
. During the use, make sure that all operating connectors
have been properly closed and secured and are not subject to unapproved loads
(e.g. lateral load, load on sharp edges, etc.) that might considerably reduce their
breaking load (Fig. 6).
Attention!
Avoid a pendulum fall by choosing an appro-
priate anchor point.
7.2 - Clearance
(Fig. 9). The fall clearance distance is the minimum distance need-
ed under the feet of the operator in order to avoid the collision with the structure,
the ground, or other obstacles, in case of a fall from a height. The fall clearance
distance (F) is given by the fall arrest distance (H) plus a further distance of 1 m (B).
The table shows the values for 100 and 140 kg masses, considering a length of
the device equal to 2 m (A). The distance between the harness attachment point
and the user’s feet is conventionally equal to 1,5 m (C).
Attention!
Before and dur-
ing each use it is essential to consider the clearance value required by the equip-
ment in use.
Attention!
The values shown in the table are based on theoretical
estimates and drop tests with a rigid weight.
Attention!
Clearance height values
calculated with fall factors 0.5 and 1 are not applicable to the model 7W923O.
8) USE RFU 11.074
This equipment, with the exception of the energy absorber by itself (Ref. No.
7W923O), is compliant with the requirement of RFU PPE-R/11-074 for horizontal
and inclined use over an edge (r ≥ 0.5 mm) (Fig. 8.1). The tests have been car-
ried out using a steel bar with a 0,5 mm fillet radius without burs. Consequently,
the equipment can be used over horizontal or inclined structures whose perimeters
have edges with a radius greater than 0,5 mm (e.g. wooden beams, rounded
guard rails etc.). This equipment can hence be used over horizontal or inclined
structures whose perimeter has edges with a radius greater than 0,5 mm.
Atten-
tion!
Where possible the use over an edge should be kept to a minimum; use over
sharp edges poses greater risks compared to normal use.
8.1 - Warnings.
1) If the risk assessment has shown that the fall edge is a particu-
larly sharp edge and/or not free from burs (e.g. an unclad proof parapet or a
sharp concrete edge), before the start of the work at heigh you will need to: take
all corresponding precautions to rule out the risk of falling over the edge, install an
edge protection or contact the manufacturer for further advice. 2) The anchor point
of the lanyard with energy absorber must not be below the user’s stand level (e.g.
platform, flat roof). 3) The angle in between the vertical edge of the structure and
the work plan must be at least 90° (Fig. 8.4). 4) Calculating the clearance space
necessary beneath the edge (min 4,8 m). 5) The lanyard with energy absorber
must always be used in such a way that there is no slack in the webbing. 6) To
prevent a fall pendulum effect, the working area and the lateral movements from
the axis perpendicular to the edge and passing through the anchor point of the
device, on both sides, should be limited in each case to a maximum of 1,5 m
(Fig. 8.3). In all other cases, no individual anchor point should be used but rather
a Class C or D anchor device pursuant to EN 795:2012. 7) If the lanyard with
energy absorber is used with a Class C anchor device pursuant to EN 795:2012
with a horizontal flexible anchor line, the deflection of the anchor device must also
be taken into account when determining the necessary fall clearance distance
beneath the user. Pay attention to the details in the instructions of use of the anchor
device. 8) Consider the trajectory of a possible fall in order to avoid dangerous
impacts against obstacles of any kind. 9) Special rescue measures are to be
determined and trained in the event of a fall over an edge.
9) SYMBOLS.
Refer to the legend in the general instructions (paragraph 16): F1.
