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Hello,

I came across a permanently installed fall arrest system. I want to be able to use it. It's a vertical ladder with a rail in the middle, no cage around it. I looked around and found this: http://www.cresto.dk/en/produkter/fasta_inst_sss.html

The ladder shown on that page looks like the ladder I saw, though I didn't take any pictures of it so I'm not sure it's the same. Obviously there's a European standard (BS EN 353-1:2002), so it's probable.

Questions:
1. In Scandinavia, are there any other similar standards in use, with different dimensions perhaps? If I buy an EN 353-1 sliding lock, will it fit the rail I found?
2. Is it possible to detach the lock from the rail at any time? If not, is it generally possible to detach it at the top?
3: Anything I should know about it when using it with a sit harness? I'm not a climber.

Help appreciated,
/SC

I've never saw one in person, but the site said they have models that can be removed anytime. Most sites in our area have the cable system, and in Europe I have seen alot of videos with the rail type if that heps you narrow down who to talk to.

I have one I will gladly sell you

No idea. I'd ask around other jumpers in your area to see if they know.




Not sure about that system, but every one that I've ever used it has been possible to detach/attach the arrest device at any point.




The systems are generally designed for full body harnesses, not sit harnesses. if you are using just a sit harness, you might end up cross-loading the arrestor because you hang differently under it. I'd recommend using your BASE rig instead (just put the rig on at the beginning of the climb and attach the arrestor to it) as a full body harness.

Hello,

The company I work in sell some of these systems and I also do some work on the PPE-standards.

1. EN 353-1 is a standard that covers general requirements and test methods for rigid anchor lines including a fall arrester. The standard says nothing about the dimensions of the rigid anchor line or the fall arrester, but they have to be tested together for the approval.

So a fall arrester from Cresto will only work on a rail from Cresto - in theory. There are exceptions to this as some manufacturers use similar rails - but there is no standard for this.

2. It is usually not possible to detach the fall arrester except at certain points (often bottom and top). Some systems only allow attachment / detachment at the bottom.

3. If you get a fall arrester suited for the rail, it's really easy to use.

B