How to choose lifeline accessories: compatibility

Lifeline accessories are not chosen by resemblance: they are suitable only if they are approved by the manufacturer of your system (Alurail, Sekurail, Checkline, Lifeline and the like) and by the design of the line. Start from the device type under EN 795 (type A for a single-point anchor, type C for a flexible cable line, type D for a rigid rail), then check the material according to the environment and finally the dimensions of the holes and slots of bases and plates against the structure you are fixing to.

The types

• Plates and bases (base plate, flat plate, widened base): these are the support that is fixed to the structure. The widened base spreads the load over a larger surface.
• Backing plates and load-spreading plates: fitted on the opposite side of the fixing to spread the stress on the substrate and prevent the bolt from working at a single point.
• Posts (light post, Small posts, also cast-in types): these are the vertical supports the line rests on. The cast-in ones are positioned before the concrete is poured.
• Type A anchors: single anchor points, fixed to a structure, to attach the worker at a specific point.
• Rails, profiles and trolleys: in rail systems the trolley runs along the profile and carries the worker along the whole route.
• Cables, shackles and spacers: the components of flexible lines, where the cable runs taut between two end anchors.
• Flashings and installation plates: the flashing protects the point where the post passes through the roof covering; the plate identifies the installed system.
• Attachments and spares: completion components and spare parts for systems already installed, such as a Petzl INTERFAST tool attachment.

How to choose according to the job

For vertical access (ladders and towers) the reference standard is EN 353-1, which appears among the items in the collection for rigid-line systems.

The features to look at

• Standard: in the collection you will find EN 795 in types A, C and D, often with UNI 11578 for permanent anchors. The type must match that of your system.
• Application: states the line the part is made for (Alurail, Sekurail, Sekurcable, Checkline and others). This is the most important entry: if your system is not listed, that component is not for you.
• Material: galvanised S235JR steel, 304 or 316 stainless steel, anodised aluminium. Galvanised is fine in dry conditions or normal environments; 316 stainless steel is needed near the sea or in chemical atmospheres; aluminium is light and typical of profiles.
• Dimensions, holes and slots: hole diameters range from about 10 to 18 mm, and the most common slots are 18x45 mm. Compare them with the fixing centres on your structure, because the slots serve to compensate for small deviations.
• Sheet thickness: heavy plates come in thicknesses such as 6 mm. More thickness means a stiffer support.
• Weight: from a few grams for small parts to a few kilos for plates and bases. It matters for handling at height.
• Item code: the only sure way to order the right spare part. Keep it from the installation documentation.

Common mistakes

• Mixing components from different manufacturers. A system is certified as a whole: a part that looks the same but belongs to another line can invalidate the certification.
• Choosing a plate or a base by price or by appearance without checking the standard and the application.
• Pairing materials that corrode each other, for example galvanised fasteners on stainless steel or aluminium profiles in damp environments.
• Fixing with anchors not suited to the substrate. The anchors are specified by the design, and depend on the concrete, timber or steel underneath.
• Refitting a component that has already been stressed after a fall. After a fall, the components involved must be taken out of service.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use an accessory from another brand on my lifeline?

Only if the system manufacturer allows it. If in doubt, ask for confirmation before buying, giving the component code and the name of the installed system.

What is the difference between EN 795 type A, C and D?

Type A is a single-point anchor fixed to the structure, type C is a horizontal flexible line (cable), type D is a horizontal rigid rail.

Who should install the accessories?

A qualified installer, who fixes bases and profiles with the anchors specified by the design and issues the installation documentation.

304 or 316 stainless steel?

For normal environments 304 stainless steel is generally sufficient. Near the sea or in the presence of chemical agents, 316 stainless steel resists corrosion better.

How often should the system be checked?

Before each use with a visual check, then at the inspection intervals set by the manufacturer.

In the lifeline accessories collection you will find components from CSC Edilizia, Irudek, Petzl, Neri and SpanSet: if you have the code of your system, ask for a quote or advice from the AMES technicians.