• The blocfor™ automatic fall arrester must only be used for
protection of personnel against falls when working at heights.
• The blocfor™ automatic fall arrester must be secured to a
structure (by its connector) with a strength S of at least 10 kN.
The user must be connected to the blocfor™ automatic fall
arrester device by means of the D-ring on the harness
(figure 1.b) using the automatic locking connector located on
the end of the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester lanyard.
• The user must limit his movements to 20°vertically and
horizontally ( figures 1.c and 1.d ).
• The blocfor™ automatic fall arrester must be protected to
GB
prevent any products from getting into the housing (paint,
sand, mud, etc.).
• Operating limits (figure 1) .
• The blocfor™ automatic fall arrester has a working load limit of
100 kg.
• Operating temperature limits:
-35°C to 50°C for a blocfor™ automatic fall arrester with
synthetic wire rope or strap.
-35°C to 60°C for the stainless steel and steel wire rope a
blocfor™ automatic fall arrester.
Horizontal use
The blocfor™ automatic fall arrester has been tested for
horizontal use in accordance with European data sheet
CNB/P/11.060 dated November 2009 per type A on edge with
minimum radius of 0.5 mm.
• Checks before use:
Before using the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester, perform the
following checks (figure d and f) :
- If the edge is considered sharp : radius of edge less than
0.5 mm or signs of burrs, take all the necessary measures to
prevent a fall on the edge or install a protection on the edge.
- Check that the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester anchor point is
located at the same height or above the edge.
- Check that the angle formed by the lanyard in contact with the
edge, in the event of a fall, is less than 90°.
- Check that the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester anchor point is
located at least 3 m from the edge.
- To attenuate the risk of swinging, user movements are limited
to 1.50 m on either side of the anchor point axis.
- The fall clearance under the userʼs feet (H) (figure g) is defined
by the following formula:
where Hp is the deflection of the anchor point defined in the
user manual for the anchor point.
- Check that there are no obstacles along the swinging path in
the event of a fall.
- Check that a specific rescue plan has been set up in the event
of a fall.
Note: The blocfor™ automatic fall arrester, when used on a
sharp edge, has not been tested in combination with a lifeline
compliant with EN 795 class C.
Devices using steel or synthetic wire rope:
For use of a blocfor™ automatic fall arrester devices
horizontally, a 2 m long, 27 mm wide strap lanyard ref. 035032
(figure 1.f) must be used between the wire rope end connector
of the device and the user fall arrest harness.
When the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester is used horizontally,
make sure that a fall will be arrested on the strap lanyard (length
2 m) when working on a terrace roof.
A blocfor™ automatic fall arrester can be used without lanyard
on a tubular structure with a diameter of over 45 mm (figure 1.e) .
Devices using strap:
For use of strap-type blocfor™ automatic fall arrester
horizontally, it is not necessary to fit a 27 mm-wide lanyard
between the end connector of the device and the user fall arrest
harness.
Operating principle
blocfor™ automatic fall arrester AES:
In the event of a fall, the mechanism inside the blocfor™
8
H = 3 m + Hp
automatic fall arrester gradually locks using a disk brake
system, and the fall is stopped smoothly with a fall value less
than 6 kN. When the user is climbing or descending, the lanyard
is maintained tensioned by the return spring.
In addition, the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester AES device is
equipped with a patented safety system which ensures that a
userʼs fall will be safely arrested, even if the fall occurs when the
wire rope is entirely extended from the blocfor™ automatic fall
arrester AES device.
blocfor™ automatic fall arrester ESD:
In the event of a fall, the mechanism located inside the blocfor™
automatic fall arrester instantaneously locks by means of a
ratchet system and the fall is stopped gently by a tear-type
energy absorber with a stop value of less than 6 kN. When
climbing and/or descending, the lanyard user is maintained
tensioned by the return spring.
In addition, the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester ESD device is
equipped with a safety system which ensures that the user is
stopped under safe conditions, even if the fall occurs when the
strap is entirely extended outside the blocfor™ automatic fall
arrester ESD unit.
Clearance
The clearance H (figure 1.g) is equal to the fall height with the
blocfor™ automatic fall arrester: 2 meters + 1 safety meter, i.e.
3 meters (Free space under user feet).
Warnings against hazardous operations
Figure 2.
It is strictly prohibited to:
• install or use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester without first
having been authorised, trained and recognised to be qualified
in the use of the device, or otherwise, without the supervision
of an authorised technician, trained and recognised to be
qualified in use of the device.
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester if any of the markings
are not legible.
• install or use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester without first
having carried out the preliminary checks.
• use a blocfor™ automatic fall arrester which has not been
covered by a periodic inspection over the past 12 months by a
technician having authorised re-use in writing.
• connect the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester to a point which
has not been covered by a periodic inspection over the past
12 months by a qualified technician having authorised re-use
in writing.
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester for any other
application other than for automatic fall protection of workers.
• secure the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester by any other
means other than its anchor point.
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester beyond the service life
period defined in the section entitled: "Service life of blocfor™
automatic fall arrester".
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester as a fall protection
system for more than 1 person.
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester by a person whose
weight, equipment included, is greater than 100 kg.
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester if it has served to stop
a fall.
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester as a means of
suspension or to hold a work position.
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester in a highly corrosive or
explosive atmosphere.
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester outside the
temperature ranges specified in this manual.
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester if the fall clearance is
not sufficient with respect to a falling person.
• use the blocfor™ automatic fall arrester if any obstacle is
located along the fall path or on the swinging path when used
in a horizontal configu ration.