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 …

pro-back

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 …

Common Misconceptions Series – Part 1

I recently became aware of some very serious misconceptions within our industry and I thought that this would be a great platform to clear them up. One of the most frequent misconceptions that I hear is that “we need davits” for a building/project to complete window washing and suspended maintenance.  In certain situations this is definitely the case; however, they …

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 …