The resting carabiner should be allowed to hang free when
it is not in use (Fig. 8.4, 8.5, 8.6).
9
Inspection
Inspect your via ferrata set before and after each use to
ensure it is working properly and is not damaged. Make
sure that the energy absorber has not been stressed be-
yond its capacity. If the label is broken (completely or partly),
replace the via ferrata set.
Inspect the elastic arms, tie-in loop and pouch. Look for
damage and signs of wear, such as tearing, fraying and
chemical damage. Make sure that the seams are intact.
The carabiner should not have deformations or cracks.
Open the gate and make sure that it closes and self-locks
when released. The equipment must be fully inspected by
a specialist at least once a year.
10
Service life and when to retire your via
ferrata set
The service life of a product cannot be determined precisely
in advance, as it depends on many factors such as frequency
of use, handling, weather, etc. In general, the product is to be
replaced immediately in the following cases (Fig. 10.1):
– after a heavy fall (extreme mechanical loading)
– if the stitching or webbing is damaged (e.g. fraying or
pilling of the webbing)
– if it is heavily and permanently soiled (e.g. with grease,
bitumen, oil, dust, fine particles of sand)
– if it has been exposed to high thermal stress, direct or
frictional heat resulting in visible signs of fusing.
– if the “Indicator” color-contrast core of the webbing of
the tie-in & resting loop shows through (see Fig. 10.2).
Below are some basic guidelines for determining the ser-
vice life of a via ferrata set based on the frequency of use.
However, the via ferrata set may need to be replaced much
sooner than these guidelines indicate if any of the afore-
mentioned factors applies.
Maximum service life of a Mammut via ferrata set (Fig. 10.3):
1. Unused: 10 years
2. Occasional use (once or twice a year): max. 7 years
3. Infrequent use (once a month): max. 5 years
4. Regular use (two to three times a month): max. 3 years
5. Frequent use (every week): max. 1 year
6. Constant use (almost daily): max. 6 months
CAUTION:
Always replace the entire via ferrata set after a
fall, even if the product shows no visible signs of damage.
If the product is visibly damaged, the entire set must be re-
placed, even if only individual parts appear to be damaged.
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