8
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Self-retracting lifelines must be anchored
overhead to ensure the accuracy of the fall
clearance calculation and related information.
It is important to understand that other factors,
such as whether the user is performing work
in a standing, crouched or lying down position
and/or whether the user is working directly
below the anchor point or at an angle, can affect
fall distance when using a retractable device.
The self-retracting lifeline fall clearance
calculation assumes the user is standing. If
the user will be performing work in a crouched
or kneeling position, an additional 3 ft. (0.9m)
of fall clearance is required (see Diagram 2).
If the user will be performing work in a lying
down position, an additional 5 ft. (1.5m) of fall
clearance is required.
The self-retracting lifeline fall clearance
calculation also assumes the user is working
directly below the anchor point, minimizing
any possibility for a swing fall. In a swing
fall situation, the total fall distance will be
greater than if the user were working directly
below the anchor point (see Diagram 3). In
some applications, it may not be possible
to work directly below the anchor point. In
such a case, the worker must increase the fall
clearance distance to account for the swing
fall factor. In any case, the worker must not
be exposed to a potential swing fall where
contact with another object may occur (see
Diagram 4).
The maximum arrest distance [free fall (FF) +
deceleration (D)] varies by retractable. Always
refer to the labels on the specific unit to
determine the maximum arrest distance.
If there is any question about
calculating fall clearance distance,
please contact Honeywell Technical Service:
1-800-873-5242 (press 4)
Minimum Required Fall Clearance from Work Level to Lower Level*
Maximum
Arrest Distance
of SRL
Working Directly
Below Anchor Point
NOT Working Directly
Below Anchor Point
In Standing
Position
In Kneeling/
Crouched
Position
In Lying Down
Position
In Potential
Swing Fall Position
42 in (1.1m)
6 ft (1.8m)
9 ft (2.7m)
11 ft (3.4m)
Varies - Additional Fall
Clearance Required
54 in (1.4m)
7 ft (2.1m)
10 ft (3m)
12 ft (3.7m)
*This chart shows general minimum fall clearances required for an overhead application. An exact calculation, based on the SRL
to be used and an assessment of the work site and conditions that may affect the worker’s fall clearance, must be performed.
TABLE 1: Minimum Required Fall Clearances -
OVERHEAD APPLICATIONS ONLY
4.2 Calculating Fall
Clearance Required for
OVERHEAD APPLICATIONS
STOP!
This section only applies when using
a Falcon Edge Self-Retracting Lifeline
in an overhead application. For leading
edge applications, refer to Fall Clearance
Tables in APPENDIX B.
It is essential to understand how to
calculate the fall clearance distance
required for each work application to avoid
contact with a lower level.
The basic calculation shown below and the
related diagrams in Appendix C on page
28 may be used to determine Required
Fall Clearance when using a self-retracting
lifeline in an
overhead application
. For a
more automated approach to calculating
Required Fall Clearance, access the Miller
Fall Clearance Calculator online:
www.millerfallprotection.com/fallclearance.
SELF-RETRACTING LIFELINE
FALL CLEARANCE CALCULATION
FOR OVERHEAD APPLICATIONS
(see Appendix C: Diagram 1)
[Calculation taken from work level]
Maximum Arrest Distance (MAD)
+ [Non-Standing Work Position Factor (NSF)]
+ [Swing Fall Factor (SFF)]
+
2.5 ft. (0.8m) Safety Factor (SF)
= Required Fall Clearance (RFC)
CAUTION:
Read all notes and refer to all
self-retracting lifeline fall clearance diagrams
and labels to determine exact required fall
clearance for your application.
