Pro-bel Logo: History of Permanent Fall Protection in North America Pro-Bel has been part of the fall protection and suspended access industry since 1978. We copyrighted the first ever roof anchor in North America, leading it to become a staple of the industry. Today, we’re happy to provide roof safety by implementing roof anchor systems around the globe. As a …
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 …
When are Roof Anchors and Davits Required for Window Washing?
Permanent roof anchors and window washing davits are two different types of permanent window washing equipment. Which one is installed depends on what criteria the building’s architecture needs.Permanent roof anchors are usually considered for window washing on any building that’s over three storeys high. At that height, ground-rigged window washing mechanisms such as water-fed poles, ladders, or lifts usually meet …
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)
Window Washing is often performed with either a bosun’s chair system (boatswain chair system) or a 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 as outlined in OSHA 1910.27 (Scaffolds and rope …
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 …
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 …
Gap Detail: Every Architect Should Know This
A common element in buildings today includes public terraces, which often have glass guardrails that are unable to bear the load of lines. In the case of non strucutral elements, one solution for suspended facade access is designing a more expensive davit system that provides clearance over the parapet. However, if we are involved early in the project, our designers …
Is Your Fall Protection System in Good Hands?
The manufacturer of your system or a professional engineer are the most qualified to provide you with inspections and certification services. It’s important that your Fall Protection System and/or Suspended Access System is being inspected in compliance with OSHA 1910.27. One requirement is that your system be inspected by a “qualified person”. Here’s how OSHA defines this term: “Qualified describes …