Systems made up of a line intended to be fixed (either temporarily or permanently) to a structure at the top only, on which a travelling device is attached. The user connects to this travelling device when climbing or descending – in the case of a fall, the travelling device should grip the line and arrest the fall.

1) Static Strength

Connectors are subject to a range of tensile strength tests, applied in several directions, depending on the type of connector. Where a connector has only one possible direction of loading (e.g. where one end of the connector is permanently attached to another component), loading is applied in only one direction. However, where foreseeable misuse could result in loading being applied in directions other than the ‘main’ direction, testing is required in both the major (length) axis and minor (width) axis. In addition, where connectors do not automatically lock on closure, testing is carried out with gate both locked and unlocked.

In the case of EN 362, tensile loads are applied and held for 3 minutes, whereas in EN 12275, the load is increased to the point where breakage occurs. Therefore, it is important when comparing products, to be aware of which standard the connector has been tested to.

2) Corrosion Resistance

Metallic components used in fall protection equipment are subjected to a neutral salt-spray test intended to prove a minimum resistance to environmental corrosion (specically rust). Products are held within a sealed chamber, which is filled with a salt-water mist, which can induce rust in unprotected metals. Products are subjected to either 24 or 48 hours exposure and examined for rusting and function afterward.