Petzl D031DA00, Manual

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TECHNICAL NOTICE EXO / EXO AP D0002800B (130916)
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
Emergency personal descent system including a rope with sewn terminations (7.5 mm
diameter).
Designed for rescue purposes only.
The system is designed for use by a single person.
Nominal load: 60-136 kg.
Maximum descent: see product marking.
Do not reuse your EXO after it has been used in an emergency situation.
This product must not be pushed beyond its limits, nor be used for any purpose other than
that for which it is designed.
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.
Only individuals who have received training and have been designated as
competent to use this product are authorized to use the EXO.
2. Nomenclature
Metal descender
(1) Cam, (2) Handle, (3) Open or closed rope guide.
Technora kernmantel rope
(4) Sewn termination (anchor side), (4a) Sewn termination (brake side), (5) Stitching, (6) Heat-
shrink cover for termination.
Storage bag
(7) Rope divider flap, (8) Connector pocket, (9) Velcro for positioning the connector, (10) Flap
closure, (11) Velcro for attachment to the harness, (12) Rear positioning strap.
Anchor connector
(13) Anchor connector that meets EN 362 and/or NFPA 1983, 2012 edition.
(14) Use indicator (EXO EN 341 only).
3. Inspection, points to verify
Your safety is related to 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). 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.
You must only use an EXO that has been packed and checked in conformance with the
described procedures.
Before and after each operation
Bag
Visually inspect your bag.
If it has been exposed to high temperatures, or if it shows signs of burns, tears, discoloration
of the fabric due to soaking with water or chemicals, perform a complete system check as
described below.
Metal descender
Verify that the product has no cracks, deformation, marks, corrosion... Check the state of wear.
Verify that the cam and handle move freely, and that the springs are working properly.
Verify that there are no foreign objects (sand...) in the mechanism and no lubricant on the
rope path.
Verify the presence of the use indicator (plastic link between the anchor connector and the
descender). If the use indicator is missing, the EXO has already been used.
Rope
Visually check the condition of the sheath along the full length of the rope. Check it in 30 cm
intervals, turning the rope to inspect it completely.
Make sure there are no cuts, burns, frayed strands, fuzzy areas, or signs of chemicals...
Do a tactile inspection of the core along the full length of the rope, as indicated in the drawing.
This allows you to detect areas where the core is damaged (hard spot, mushy area...).
Check the safety stitching on the sewn terminations. Be particularly careful to check for cut
or loose threads.
Anchor connector
Verify that there is no wear, cracks, deformation... Open the gate, verify that it closes and locks
itself automatically when released.
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.
Do not allow anything to block the device (cam) or any of its components.
Verify that the carabiner is always loaded on its major axis. Regularly check that the locking
sleeve is locked. Avoid any pressure or rubbing that could unlock the gate or damage the
locking sleeve.
Verify that the rope has no knots in it, and that there are no loops around the descender. A
rope that is poorly packed, or that has knots in it, can cause serious consequences during
descent.
4. Compatibility
Verify that this product is compatible with the other elements of the system in your application
(compatible = good functional interaction).
For attaching the descender to the harness, use an EN 362 and/or NFPA 1983 connector,
preferably TRIACT-LOCK. This connector must be equipped with a CAPTIV bar or other
system that makes the connector directional.
This system must only be used with a seat harness or full-body harness. The use of a simple
belt is prohibited.
5. Function principle and test
When you load the system with your body weight, the tensioned rope makes the descender
frame rotate on the connector, and the cam pinches and brakes the rope. By holding the brake
side of the rope, the brake hand helps engage the cam to lock the rope. To unlock the rope,
pull the handle while holding the brake side of the rope.
The cam and the frame of the descender must be able to rotate freely at all times.
Warning: any blockage of the device or cam will negate the braking action on the rope.
6. Preparing the EXO and packing it in the bag
This operation must be carried out by trained and competent persons.
This operation is to be carried out after an inspection of the system, a practice session, or any
time that the rope is removed from the bag.
Perform a function test and a complete inspection of the EXO before packing and storing.
Spread out the system in a clean, flat work area.
6A. Folding and packing the rope in the bag
Warning: the rope must be properly packed so that it can be deployed without forming a knot.
Open the bag and place it on its back. Put the sewn termination (brake side) on the right side
of the bag. Make five flat bights of the same width as the bag (see drawing). Slide these bights
into the bag. Repeat the operation until the rope is packed.
Leave 20 cm of rope between the hook and the descender, then close the rope divider flap.
5B. Packing the descender in the bag
Place the descender on the rope divider flap (descent handle down against the rope).
The rope is packed in the lower compartment.
The connector must not be obstructed by the rope.
The end of the rope and the hook come out of this compartment. Put the hook in the front
pocket of the bag.
Warning: the system will not function correctly if the descender, the connector, or the rope are
poorly placed.
Use the Velcro to hold the connector.
Close the upper flap with its Velcro.
7. Installation on the harness
Attach the bag to the harness belt, on your right, with the two Velcro strips and the rear
positioning strap vertically or horizontally oriented, depending on the harness.
The EXO must always be connected to the harness attachment point. It is recommended to
use the EXO and bag with an extended attachment point, to keep the connector permanently
attached to the harness, with the bag on the side.
Pay attention to the orientation of the connector in the attachment point because this
determines the correct position of the descender during evacuation (see drawing). Make sure
the gate is correctly closed and locked.
8. Installation on the anchor
Defining and making an anchor is a topic too complex to be fully described in these
instructions. We include only a few examples using an NFPA 1983 anchor hook with hole.
You must know how to make an anchor. Warning: your rope must not come into contact
with sharp or abrasive edges, or be subjected to high temperatures. Warning: the rope end
connector must not be cantilevered (for example on a beam), as its strength will be reduced.
Verify that the carabiner is always loaded on the major axis. This connector must be equipped
with a CAPTIV bar or other system that makes the connector directional.
Make sure that your anchor does not hinder your descent.
Examples with an anchor hook
8A. Around a structure
Pass the hook end of the rope around a solid fixed anchor.
Secure the anchor by passing a loop of rope through the hook’s locking slot. This loop must be
wrapped around the hook.
8B. Hook use
- On a window sill: set the hook on the window sill (head on the inside) with the left hand. Place
it on the left side of the window, so as to create the best placement for performing the roll-out.
- Around a post, on the edge of a wall: place the hook as low as possible in a stable position
and always keep the rope under tension between the hook and the descender.
Warning: the hook must not be cantilevered (for example on a beam), as there is a risk of
unhooking.
9. Self-rescue
Use gloves with the evacuation system.
The actions described below do not in any case replace proper training.
Horizontal movement
Verify that the anchor connector is well placed.
Tension the rope with your body weight.
Press the descender’s cam with the left hand to allow the rope to slide.
Always keep the rope under tension. Do not allow any slack between the descender and the
anchor.
Vertical descent
Verify that the anchor connector is well placed.
Always keep the rope under tension.
Warning: when transitioning from horizontal to vertical (clearing obstacles), the descender can
get jammed on an edge.
Gradually pull on the handle with the left hand. Always hold the brake side of the rope with your
right hand. The handle can assist in braking, but the rate of descent is controlled by varying the
grip of the brake hand on the brake side of the rope.
You must always control your descent speed: 2 m/s maximum.
Panic situation (only for the EXO with anti-panic function): if the handle is pulled too far, the
anti-panic function locks the rope. To continue the descent, move the handle to the closed
position and resume the descent.
Warning: if you release the handle, continue to keep a firm grip on the brake side of the rope.
- Any jamming of the rope in the descender (knots, rope jammed behind the cam, tangled
rope), will stop your evacuation.
- In a descent that is too fast, a sudden stop on a knot or the sewn termination can break or
unhook the anchor.
- It is essential to always keep the descent well under control: a loss of control can be difficult
to correct.
Detaching from the system
When your descent is finished, verify that you have reached safety and detach the connector
from your harness.
10. Practicing
We recommend that you practice descending with your EXO system at least once a year.
Practice units must be used exclusively for this purpose. During this practice, we recommend
that you be backed up by a separate belay system.
11. Additional information
- Descenders installed at a work station, and left in place between inspections, must be
properly protected from environmental conditions.
- You must have a rescue plan and the means to rapidly implement it in case of difficulties
encountered while using this equipment.
- The anchor point for the system should preferably be located above the user’s position and
should meet the requirements of the EN 795 standard (12 kN minimum strength).
- In a fall arrest system, it is essential to check the required clearance below the user before
each use, in order to avoid any impact with the ground or with an obstacle in case of a fall.
- Make sure that the anchor point is correctly positioned, in order to limit the risk and the
length of a fall.
- A fall arrest harness is the only device allowable for supporting the body in a fall arrest
system.
- 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: 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.
- The energy of descent is equal to the product of the descent length, the mass of the person
and the acceleration of gravity.
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 used in an emergency situation.
- It has been in direct contact with flames.
- 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. Lifetime: 10 years - B. Acceptable temperatures.
This product must not be exposed to temperatures greater than +250° C or to direct contact
with flames.
- C. Usage precautions - D. Cleaning - E. Drying - F. Storage/transport - G. Maintenance
- H. Modifications/repairs (prohibited outside of Petzl facilities, except replacement parts) - I.
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. Traceability: datamatrix - b. Rope length - c. Serial number - d. Year of manufacture - e.
Month of manufacture - f. Batch number - g. Individual identifier - h. Standards - i. Read the
instructions for use carefully - j. Model identification - k. Maximum descent
Rope specifications
1. Sheath slippage (%)
2. Elongation (%)
3. Mass of the sheath (%)
4. Mass of the core material (%)
5. Mass per unit length (g/m)
6. Shrinkage (%)