Bulletin Archive

Testing Requirements for Safety Net Attachment Devices

The following principles should be included within the design:
All performance critical opening elements should require two consecutive deliberate manual actions to close and lock them. Non performance critical elements shall be tested open.

Test Procedure:
Select a statistically representative sample of attachment devices. Fit to each of the base materials for which they are intended, covering the manufacturers defined range of sizes, load orientations, and methods of use, in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Connect a section of less than 1m of border rope to EN 1263-1 2002. Apply an appropriate characteristic load through the border rope, inclined at 45⁰ to the horizontal orientation of the device, at a cross head velocity of 1m/min (+/- 5%). Ensure that the device does not release the load.

Load a statistically representative sample to failure, or a multiple of the characteristic load. Observe and record the deformation and any mode of failure, to be used to advise on limitations on repeat use and removal from service after use in anger as appropriate.

Select a further statistically representative sample of attachment devices. Fit to the base material for its intended use as before, however all "location only" attachments must be left open. Apply a dynamic drop test as specified in latest version of BS EN 795 for Class A2 anchors directly to the attachment device.

Temporary or permanent deformation is permitted, however the device must not release the load.

Instructions for use and limitations must include the following:

Notes:
The characteristic load is 6kN, multiple to be applied is 4, and statistical sample is 5.

- - End of Bulletin - -