PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TEST METHODS FOR FALL ARREST BLOCKS/ RETRACTABLE LIFELINES
EN360 RELATES TO DEVICES WHICH CONTAIN A LANYARD FOR ATTACHMENT BETWEEN A FULL BODY HARNESS AND A SUITABLE ANCHORAGE DEVICE. IN THESE DEVICES, THE LANYARD WILL RETRACT (UNDER ASPRING-LOADEDMECHANISM) BACK ONTO A DRUM IN THE CASING OF THE DEVICE. IN THE CASE OF A FALL, A BRAKING DEVICE (OR SIMILAR) WILL CAUSE THE DRUM TO LOCK, ARRESTING THE FALL OF THE USER IN AS SHORT A DISTANCE AS POSSIBLE.
THERE ARE 4 MAIN PERFORMANCE TESTS IN EN360
FP40
DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
Retractable lanyards are put through a drop test relativelysimilar tolanyards (using a solid 100 kg test mass, measuring arrest distance and arrest force). However, regardless of the device's entire length, the drop height for this test is 600 mm. At 600 mm, a clip is attached to the lanyard to prevent it from being retracted back into the case, allowing for a clear freefall. With a maximum arrest force of 6kN, the lanyard should not deploy beyond a maximum length of 1.4 metres (effectivelybreakingthe fall within 2 metres of the point of release).
LOCKING AFTER CONDITIONING
Additional testing is required for mechanical devices to guarantee that they are not adversely affected by ambient conditions:
Following conditioning to high temperature (50°C, 85 percent relative humidity for at least 2 hours),
cold temperature (-30°C for at least 2 hours),
and water, devices are tested for their locking function (by dropping a mass of at least 5 kg) (sprayed at 70 litres per hour for at least 3 hours).
Testing after being submerged in diesel oil or dust is also an option.
CORROSION RESISTANCE
A neutral salt-spray test is performed on metallic components used in fall prevention equipment to demonstrate a minimum resistance to environmental corrosion (especially rust). Products are kept in a sealed chamber that is filled with a salt-water mist that might cause rust on exposed metals. After 24- or 48-hours of exposure, the products are inspected for corrosion and functionality.
STATIC STRENGTH
Tensile testing is performed on the entire product. Lanyards made of textile are subjected to a 15kNtensile force, whereas metal lanyards are subjected to a 12kNtensile force. To ensure that the product's breaking strength exceeds the force prescribed by the standard, tensile pressures are applied and held for at least 3 minutes.
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