Petzl CHICANE, Manual

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TECHNICAL NOTICE ZIGZAG - CHICANE D0019800F (220622)
7
EN
These instructions explain how to correctly use your equipment. Only certain techniques and
uses are described.
The warning symbols inform you of some potential dangers related to the use of your
equipment, but it is impossible to describe them all. Check Petzl.com for updates and
additional information.
You are responsible for heeding each warning and using your equipment correctly. Any misuse
of this equipment will create additional dangers. Contact Petzl if you have any doubts or
difficulty understanding these instructions.
1. Field of application
Personal protective equipment (PPE) used for fall protection from height.
Working load limit: 140 kg/one person.
ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS: progression device for tree care work on doubled rope.
CHICANE: auxiliary brake for use only with the ZIGZAG and ZIGZAG PLUS on a single rope.
This product must not be pushed beyond its limits, nor be used for any purpose other than
that for which it is designed.
Note: All of the usage and warning diagrams in these instructions show the ZIGZAG PLUS and
are also valid for the ZIGZAG.
Responsibility
WARNING
Activities involving the use of this equipment are inherently dangerous.
You are responsible for your own actions, decisions and safety.
Before using this equipment, you must:
- Read and understand all Instructions for Use.
- Get specific training in its proper use.
- Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
- Understand and accept the risks involved.
Failure to heed any of these warnings may result in severe injury or death.
This product must only be used by competent and responsible persons, or those placed under
the direct and visual control of a competent and responsible person.
You are responsible for your actions, your decisions and your safety and you assume the
consequences of same. If you are not able, or not in a position to assume this responsibility, or
if you do not fully understand the Instructions for Use, do not use this equipment.
2. Nomenclature
(1) Friction chain, (2) Release lever, (3) Rope passage hole, (4) Sheave, (5) Rope termination
attachment hole, (6) Positioning ring, (7) Swivel, (8) Harness attachment hole, (9) Auxiliary
attachment hole, (10) Handle, (11) ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS attachment hole, (12) Moving side
plate, (13) Opening buttons, (14) Friction pins, (15) Rotation axis.
Principal materials:
Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic.
3. Inspection, points to verify
Your safety depends upon the integrity of your equipment.
Petzl recommends a detailed inspection by a competent person at least once every 12
months (depending on current regulations in your country, and your conditions of usage).
WARNING: your intensity of use may cause you to inspect your PPE more frequently. Follow
the procedures described at Petzl.com. Record the results on your PPE inspection form: type,
model, manufacturer contact info, serial number or individual number, dates: manufacture,
purchase, first use, next periodic inspection; problems, comments, inspector’s name and
signature.
Before each use
ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS: verify that the product has no cracks, deformation, nicks, wear,
corrosion... Pay special attention to the wear on the release lever.
Verify that the friction chain extends and compresses freely. Make sure there is no play in the
rivets.
Verify the mobility of the release lever and the effectiveness of its spring.
Verify that the sheave turns freely and that there is no play in its axle.
Verify that the swivel turns freely.
Check the condition of the positioning ring (deformation, nicks, wear...).
CHICANE: verify that the product has no cracks, deformation, nicks, wear, corrosion...
Check the effectiveness of the spring that ensures the position of the device around the
rotation axis.
Check the condition and tightness of the two friction pins (lack of play).
Check the condition of the positioning ring in the ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS attachment hole
(deformation, nicks, wear...).
During use
It is important to regularly monitor the condition of the product and its connections to the other
equipment in the system. Make sure that all items of equipment are correctly positioned with
respect to each other.
Beware of foreign bodies or system elements which can impede the operation of the friction
chain or press on the release lever. Accidentally pressing the release lever can cause a fall.
Make sure that connectors are always loaded on the major axis.
Warning: during use, monitor the locking effectiveness on your rope: unusual
slippage can be a sign that the ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS release lever and
friction links are starting to wear out.
4. Compatibility
Verify that this product is compatible with the other elements of the system in your application
(compatible = good functional interaction).
Equipment used with your ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS must meet current standards in your
country (e.g. EN 362 connectors).
ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS and CHICANE only work on 11.5 - 13 mm EN 1891 type A low
stretch kernmantle ropes (ends included). Warning: blocking effectiveness and smoothness of
descent varies with the rope used (diameter, condition, texture).
Ropes tested during the EU certification:
- Teufelberger Tachyon 11.5 mm.
- Teufelberger Hi Vee 13 mm.
ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS is compatible with Petzl OK and Am’D connectors. If using any other
connector, carry out a compatibility test (check for proper installation and function, and for any
possibilities of poor positioning). Use only double auto-locking connectors.
The connection between the CHICANE and ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS is not compatible with
round-section carabiners; use only H-section Petzl Am’D and OK carabiners.
5. Function principle and test
ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS slides along the rope in one direction and blocks in the other
direction. When the device is pulled, the friction chain extends and blocks the rope. Each time
the device is installed on the rope, verify that it blocks in the desired direction.
Pressing on the release lever allows the friction to be varied so that the rope can slide through.
6. Installing the ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS
6a. Preparation
Clip a connector into the rope termination attachment hole.
6b. Installation on the rope
Compress the friction chain. The arrow marked on the device must be correctly aligned.
Thread the unspliced end of the rope through the release lever and every link of the friction
chain, following the indicated orientation of use. Warning: the rope must be properly threaded
through all of the friction chain links.
Certain ropes have thin splices which can be threaded through the friction chain, allowing
direct installation of the spliced end of the rope (pay attention to the orientation of use).
Slide the rope through to position the ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS at the desired location, close to
the manufactured termination.
Connect the ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS to the EN 813 central attachment point of the harness
with a double auto-locking connector.
Never connect the harness to the rope termination attachment hole or to the auxiliary
attachment hole.
If connecting the device to an adjustable bridge, verify that the device stays within reach.
6c. Setup on a doubled rope
After passing your rope through a suitable anchor, attach it to the connector in the rope
termination attachment hole.
When the user has their feet supported, the ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS and the rope termination
can also be connected to the EN 358 side attachment points on each side of the harness.
6d. Setup on a single rope
Attach the CHICANE to the connector in the rope termination attachment hole. The ZIGZAG /
ZIGZAG PLUS can only be used on a single rope with a correctly installed CHICANE.
7. Precautions
Always stay below the anchor, with the system under tension, to avoid any shock load. Any
dynamic loading can damage the belay system. Make sure that the anchor point is correctly
positioned, in order to limit the risk and the length of a fall.
Any pressure on the release lever presents a fall risk: monitor your equipment
and the elements of the environment (branches, rope...).
8. Uses
8a. Controlling rope glide
ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS or the ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS with CHICANE assembly can be
used with one hand.
Rapid rope glide can be difficult to control. In this case, we recommend holding the brake
side of the rope.
Warning: if you do not hold the brake side of the rope, any pressure on the release lever
presents a fall risk.
8b. Movement Within the Tree
Moving away from the trunk
With your weight on the device (rope tensioned), press on the release lever to allow the rope
to slide.
Returning to the trunk
Keep the rope taut by taking up slack continually as you move.
Ascent on doubled rope
Push on the free end with a PANTIN or a foot-lock.
Ascent on single rope
For a short ascent, push on the free end with a PANTIN or a foot-lock.
For a longer ascent, use the KNEE ASCENT and a PANTIN.
Descent
Press on the release lever to allow the rope to slide.
Warning: the device can heat up during rapid descents.
On a doubled rope, the device reaches the temperature limit of 48° C after 11 m of descending
for a 100 kg user (8 m for 140 kg). On a single rope with CHICANE, the device reaches the
temperature limit of 48° C after 15 m of descending for a 100 kg user (12 m for 140 kg). Wear
gloves to avoid burns during longer descents.
Positioning at the workstation
Use a second ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS, or an adjustable lanyard, on a separate anchor.
It is not necessary to tie off the ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS when work positioning, except when
there is a risk of accidental rubbing or pressure on the release lever.
8c. Example of auxiliary attachment hole usage
8d. Other uses and rescue situations
Refer to the technical tips available at Petzl.com.
9. Changing the rope
If you install a new or a different rope in a used ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS, you must test the
compatibility of the rope with that device. In particular: blocking effectiveness can be different
with each different device/rope pairing, even if the new rope is the same model and diameter
as the previous one.
New ropes are often slicker and thinner than used ropes, and the friction chain links can be
worn from use with the previous rope: there is a risk of slippage whenever a worn ZIGZAG /
ZIGZAG PLUS is used on a new rope.
Perform a usage test in doubled configuration:
Install your rope in your ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS (doubled configuration), preferably on a
high-efficiency anchor (pulley), and simulate normal usage situations (ascent, descent, stop,
movement) at a very low height.
Any sign of slippage or poor blocking can indicate that the device’s wear state and/or the new
rope is not compatible with your device.
10. Accessories and spare parts
Friction pins for CHICANE.
When worn, the friction pins can be rotated one-half turn to extend their lifetime. When
mounting, the pins must be correctly installed and tightened to the indicated torque. Using a
torque wrench is the only way to verify that the tightening torque is correct. KNEE ASCENT:
see specific Instructions for Use.
11. Additional Information
This product meets the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective
equipment. The EU declaration of conformity is available at Petzl.com.
- ZIGZAG, ZIGZAG PLUS and CHICANE allow the user to work in compliance with the ANSI
Z133 standard
- You must have a rescue plan and the means to rapidly implement it in case of difficulties
encountered while using this equipment.
- When using multiple items of equipment, a dangerous situation can arise in which the safety
function of an item of equipment can be affected by the safety function of another item of
equipment.
- WARNING - DANGER: ensure that your products do not rub against abrasive or sharp
surfaces.
- Users must be medically fit for activities at height. WARNING: inert suspension in a harness
can result in serious injury or death.
- The Instructions for Use for each item of equipment used in conjunction with this product
must be followed.
- The Instructions for Use must be provided to the user of this equipment, in the language of
the country where the equipment is used.
- Make sure the markings on the product are legible.
When to retire your equipment:
WARNING: an exceptional event can lead you to retire a product after only one use, depending
on the type and intensity of usage and the environment of usage (harsh environments, marine
environments, sharp edges, extreme temperatures, chemicals...).
A product must be retired when:
- It has been subjected to a major fall or load.
- It fails to pass inspection. You have any doubt as to its reliability.
- You do not know its full usage history.
- When it becomes obsolete due to changes in legislation, standards, technique or
incompatibility with other equipment...
Destroy these products to prevent further use.
Icons:
A. Unlimited lifetime - B. Marking - C. Acceptable temperatures - D. Usage precautions -
E. Cleaning - F. Drying - G. Storage/transport - H. Maintenance - I. Modifications/repairs
(prohibited outside of Petzl facilities, except replacement parts) - J. Questions/contact
3-year guarantee
Against any material or manufacturing defect. Exclusions: normal wear and tear, oxidation,
modifications or alterations, incorrect storage, poor maintenance, negligence, uses for which
this product is not designed.
Warning symbols
1. Situation presenting an imminent risk of serious injury or death. 2. Exposure to a potential
risk of accident or injury. 3. Important information on the functioning or performance of your
product. 4. Equipment incompatibility.
Traceability and markings
a. Meets PPE regulatory requirements. Notified body performing the EU type examination - b.
Number of the notified body responsible for the production control of this PPE - c. Traceability:
datamatrix - d. Manufacturer address - e. Serial number - f. Year of manufacture - g. Month of
manufacture - h. Batch number - i. Individual identifier - j. Standards - k. Read the Instructions
for Use carefully - l. Model identification - m. Diameter - n. Installation diagram - o. Orientation
of use - p. Alignment of the chain - q. Rope termination attachment hole - r. Harness
attachment - s. CHICANE / ZIGZAG - CHICANE / ZIGZAG PLUS compatibility - t. Working
load limit