8
tation of equipment; cf. attached Inspection Sheet).
It is advisable to mark the anchor divice with either
the next or the latest date of inspection. Refer to
national regulations for inspection intervals.
Such inspections must at least comprise the
following:
Check of general state: age, completeness,
soiling, correct assembly
Check of label: Does it exist? Is it legible? Is
there a CE marking? Does it specify the year of
manufacture?
Check of all individual parts for mechanical
damage such as: cuts, cracks, indentations,
abrasion, formation of ribs, kinks, crushing.
Check of al individual parts for thermal or
chemical damage such as: fusing, hardening.
Check of metal components for corrosion and
deformations.
Check of condition and completeness of end
connections, stitching (e.g. no abrasion of sewing
thread), splices (e.g. no slippage), knots.
Again, the following rule applies:
If there is only
the slightest doubt, the product needs to be retired
or subjected to testing by a competent person.
Repairs may be carried out only by the manufac-
turer.
Friction Hitch cord (Ocean Polyester or Ocean Dy-
neema
®
) is a consumable wear part. Expect to see
signs of wear. Expect to replace friction hitch cord
regularly. Regular monitoring is essential e.g. pre-
use checks, weekly inspections, thorough exami-
nations (consult national legislation for interval) and
after exceptional circumstances. The service life of
the friction hitch cord is up to 3 years for the OP
Loop 8mm (fImblSAVER) and up to 2 years for the
OD Loop 7mm (fImblCLIMB), both from the day the
product was first taken out of its undamaged light-
protected package, and the product must be retired
no later than after 3 years of use (OP Loop/fImblSA-
VER), or 2 years of use (OD Loop/fImblCLIMB). We
recommend that you keep the original sales receipt
which is the proof of purchase.
The theoretically possible total product life (correct
storage prior to first r period of use) is limi-
ted to 5 years from the date of manufacture.
Aramids are not UV resistant (incl. sunlight). The-
refore, keep the rope protected against UV and
replace it immediately if discoloration, hardening,
or yarn damage (abrasion of fiber parts, fibrillation,
bleaching, mechanical wear, etc.) occur.
The friction hitch cord is available as a spare part
from TEUFELBERGER (www.teufelberger.com): OP
Loop 8 mm Tn, item no. 7350841 for fImblSAVER,
OD Loop 7mm T, item no. 7350606 for fImblCLIMB.
For the rope to which the Prusik knot is fastened
the service life may extend to up to 5 years from the
date of manufacture on condition that the product
is used infrequently (1 week per year) and stored
properly (see section “Transport, storage and clea-
ning”).
The actual useful life depends solely on the condi-
tion of the product, which in turn is influenced by
various factors (see below). Extreme influences may
shorten service life to a single use only or to even
less if the equipment is damaged prior to its first
use (e.g. in transport).
Mechanical wear and other influences such as the
impact of sunlight will decrease the life span consi-
derably. Bleached or abraded fibres, discoloration,
and hardened spots are certain indicators that the
product needs to be retired.
It is clearly not possible to offer a general statement
about the product’s service life, as such life span
depends on various factors, e.g. UV light, type and
frequency of use, handling, climatic influences such
as ice or snow, environments such as salt, sand,
battery acid etc., heat contamination (above normal
climatic conditions), mechanical deformation and/or
distortion,… (incomplete list!),
In general, the following rule applies:
If the user,
for whatever reason – however insignificant it may
seem – is uncertain whether or not the product
meets all the necessary criteria, either reject it from
service and render unusable, or place in quarantine
and label in an obvious manner so that it cannot be
used by mistake. Only return to service following
the written authorisation of a competent person.
Withdraw equipment from service if it has been
used to arrest a fall.
MAINTENANCE / SERVICE LIFE
MAINTENANCE
SERVICE LIFE
