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When are Roof Anchors and Davits Required for Window Washing?

Generally, roof anchors should be considered for window washing for any building over 3 storeys. This is because, water fed poles, ladders, or lifts aren’t typically used for servicing facades much taller than this. Roof anchors are also required when fall protection is needed on a roof.  When it comes to window washing, if the building cannot be serviced from …

Design Considerations for Fall Protection and Suspended Access Systems

Projects that require fall protection and/or suspended access can come in all shapes and sizes. We’ve worked on buildings as short as 2 levels to as tall as 99 levels. However, for each building maintenance solution, there are design considerations that must occur at the preliminary planning stage.AT PRO-BEL THERE’S NO PROJECT TOO SMALL OR TOO TALL; WE DO IT …

Throwback Thursday – Pro-Bel’s Logo History

Pro-Bel has been part of the fall protection and suspended access industry since 1978. Today, we’re happy to be providing roof safety around the globe. As a company, we have evolved in many ways over the last few decades, and as it happens, so has our logo. With the evolution of design trends, what attracts clients, and of course, as …

Why Are Horizontal Lifelines Important for Fall Protection?

Horizontal Lifelines (HLL’s) are our solutions to providing a complete fall restraint system without sacrificing mobility. When a worker is within 1.8m of a vertical drop – we call this a ‘fall hazard zone or restricted area’ – they are required by law to be tied off to an anchor point (OSHA 1926.502 and ANSI/IWCA 1-14.1). However, single point anchors …

Guide to Bosun’s Chair Systems (Rope Descent System)

Worker on a Bosun’s chair using suction cups to stabilize. Window Washing is often performed with either a bosun’s chair system (boatswain chair system) or suspended platform in conjunction with Pro-Bel rigging equipment (such as anchors, davits, outriggers, etc.). In OSHA, a bosun’s chair system is referred to as a Rope Descent System (RDS). Read on for a quick RDS guide …

Roof Rigging – Launching a Platform Explained

Roof Rigged Davit Systems are designed for buildings where ground rigging is not ideal. Sometimes, site conditions, particularly at lower levels, do not allow for a platform to be picked up from the ground. Roof conditions such as permanent equipment, parapet/screen wall height, building shape, and especially suspension height must all be taken into consideration when deciding between designing for …

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Fall Protection Systems – The Design Process

Window Washing Equipment and Fall Protection System design is a highly specialized area. At Pro-Bel, we have a design process to ensure your system meets state/provincial and national regulations. Our Design Service is also FREE. Some highly complicated projects may require a fee, or if you’d like a more detailed design. In order to begin designing your Fall Protection/Window Washing …

Guide to Monorail Systems

Pro-Bel monorail systems are often used to access difficult to reach or otherwise inaccessible exterior or interior glass areas. Think of them as a continuous anchor system. We often design a monorail solution in cases where putting equipment on the roof is either not possible or not preferred.  Monorail Components Typically a Pro-Bel monorail system consists of an aluminum rail …

Basics of Fall Protection

Our industry is most commonly associated with window washing systems and suspended maintenance systems.  Because of this, fall protection (specifically on low-rise buildings) is often overlooked.  Fall Arrest vs. Fall Restraint “Fall protection” is actually a term that encompasses the method of either “fall arrest” or “fall restraint”. Fall arrest prevents a person from reaching the ground (once a fall …