Bulletin Archive

The Testing of Safety Nets for UV Degradation

Safety nets are manufactured from polypropylene, which is a material that is adversely affected by ultra violet light. As such, safety nets must be tested to ascertain whether the safety net meets or exceeds the withdrawal from service level (minimum strength) as determined by the manufacturer.

All safety nets that are in service must have been tested within the previous 12 months to ensure they meet or exceed this level.

The FASET Safety and Technical Committee have agreed the following common standard for the testing of Safety Nets for the degradation caused by ultra violet light. This comes into force with immediate effect.

1. Prior to use, all Safety Nets must have been tested within the previous 12 months (unless they are new i.e. less than 12 months old)

2. All Testers must be deemed competent by a FASET Safety Net Manufacturer Member evidenced by a FASET Safety Net Testers Certificate.

3. The minimum breaking strength shall be in accordance with the manufacturers breaking strain criteria. Note: Test range is from 1708 N to 2500 N, commonly 2200N

4. If a sample fails by less than 5% below the manufacturer’s withdrawal from service level then the net may be Retested once more

5. For both Knotted & Knotless Nets, the test shall be carried out on the square across one cell only for A2 and B2 specification. (100mm Meshes)

6. Speed of test / break shall be set at 300mm per minute

7. Test results shall be by computer print out or in electronic format listing Date, Serial Number, Test Result and Manufacturer

8. Test machine to be calibrated to BS EN ISO 7500-1:2004 and shall be re-calibrated not later than the end of the month that calibration expires. Manually operated test machines shall not be used.

9. Full records of the test shall be kept. Traceability of the test will be maintained
10. A suitable label shall be attached to each net following a successful test showing:

• Testing Companies Name
• Date of Test
• Date of Next Test
• That it Passed the test
• Additional information can be added

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