USER INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION FOR ARBORMASTER® LOW STRETCH KERNMANTLE ROPE ® ArborMaster ropes meet or exceed European Standard EN 1891:1998 Personal Protective Equipment for the Prevention of Falls From a Height — Low Stretch Kernmantle Ropes. ArborMaster ® ropes are intended for work associated with tree pruning, trimming, climbing, and other arborist related work. ®® IMPORTANT POINTS TOTO FOLLOW WHENWHEN USINGUSING ARBORMASTERARBORMASTER Records must be kept that detail each use and the results of the inspections. Samson recommends • Refer to EN 892 should the risk for free fall arise (i.e., free climbing, line rescue, etc.) that the records be maintained by the same person who uses the rope. • The use of ArborMaster® as a component of a fall arrest system or other PPE voids the conformity to EN 1891:1998. The record should contain the following information: • Samson recommends that if this product is used in conjunction with • Trademark (ArborMaster®) • History of product inspections and/ other components that they and the “system” be CE approved. • Type of product (low stretch or repairs, including the details of kernmantle rope) the inspection/repair, name and • Misuse of this product or use with incorrect hardware may cause signature of the person who per- serious injury. • Serial batch number formed the inspection/repair, and • ArborMaster® should be used only by qualified personnel and by • Year of manufacturing the due date for the next inspection those who do not have a medical condition that could affect the safety • Compatibility • User name of the user. • Purchase date • Comments • ArborMaster® should be inspected after and prior to each use. • Date of first use • In case of fall, rope should be replaced. • When in doubt of condition, the rope should be replaced TERMINATING • Rope should be inspected periodically, according to usage, by a ArborMaster® should be terminated using a “figure 8” knot. competent person authorized by the manufacturer. At minimum, the The system should incorporate an anchor point that has rope should be inspected every 12 months. This inspection should a minimum strength of 15kN. The anchor point should be also include the legibility of all product markings. located above the user and any slack between the anchor • Read all accompanying information provided by the manufacturer. point and the user should be avoided. • Rope cut to shorter lengths must be remarked as on the original rope. • Before and during use, consideration should be given as to how any rescue could be performed safely and efficiently. MARKINGS • It is essential for the safety of the user that if the product is resold Indicates rope conforms to PPE outside the original country of destination, the reseller shall provide European Directive instructions for use, for maintenance, and for periodic examination in the language of the country in which the product is to be used. 0082 Indicates notified body that is in charge of PPE control ARBORMASTER® PHYSICAL PROPERTIES A13 Indicates rope type and its diameter (Type A, 13 mm) Actual diameter 12.9 mm ArborMaster® Brand name assigned to product by Sheath slippage 0% manufacturer Elongation 2.5% Date Section Indicates batch number––appropriate Mass of sheath 77.1% numbers will be punched. For example, the 2009 2010 2011 Mass of core 22.9% shown batch number would be 2011011 01 02 03 04 05 06 Total Mass per Unit Length 110 g/m 07 08 09 10 11 12 Minimum static strength without 32.4 kN 1 2 3 4 terminations Notified body that performed EC type examination: Static strength with terminations 15 kN over 3 min CETE APAVE SUDEUROPE B.P. 193 • 3322 Marseille • Cedex 16 France • 0082 Shrinkage .5% Type A Materials of construction Polyester, nylon, polypropylene 2090 Thornton Street TEL 360.384.4669 Standard EN 1891:1998 www.samsonrope.com STANDARDS FOR STRENGTH AND USAGE WORKING LOADS AVOID OVERHEATING ROPE LIFE FACTORS The safe working load (SWL) is the Heat can seriously affect the strength There are basically three steps to maximum static load the rope is of synthetic ropes. The temperatures at consider in providing the longest designed to sustain during normal which 50% strength loss can occur are: possible service life, the best use. WARNING: This product is a Nylon 350° F, Polyester 350° F. When conditions and long range economy low-stretch rope and not a dynamic or using rope where the temperature for ropes: Selection, Usage, and climbing rope. It is therefore necessary exceeds these levels (or if it is too Retirement. to avoid slack between the anchor and hot to hold), consult the manufacturer the load. Any rope that has sustained for recommendations as to the size SELECTION a shock load should be immediately and type of rope for the proposed Select the right rope for the job in retired (see page 3). continuous heat exposure conditions. the first place. When using ropes with rappel/belay DANGER TO PERSONNEL devices or other friction hardware, care Selecting a rope involves evaluating Persons should be warned against the should be exercised to keep the rate a combination of factors. Some of serious danger of standing in line with of rope slippage within the hardware these factors are straightforward like a rope under tension. Should the rope manufacturer’s recommendations. The comparing rope specifications. Others part, it may recoil with considerable friction from the slippage can cause are less qualitative like a preference force. In all cases where any such localized overheating which can melt or for a specific color or how a rope risks are present, or where there is fuse synthetic fibers, reducing durability feels in your hand. Cutting corners, any question about the load involved and tensile strength. reducing application factors, sizes or or the condition of use, the working strengths on an initial purchase creates load should be substantially reduced STORAGE unnecessary replacements, potentially and the rope properly inspected before All rope should be stored in an area dangerous conditions and increases every use. that is cool, clean, dry, out of direct long term costs. Fiber and construction sunlight, well-ventilated, and away from being equal, a larger rope will outlast ROPE INSPECTION any heat sources. Never store ropes on a smaller rope because of the greater surface wear distribution. By the same Do not use rope showing signs of a concrete or dirt floor, and under no token, a stronger rope will outlast a aging and wear as described herein. circumstances should rope or cordage weaker one because it will be used at a If in doubt, destroy the used rope. be stored near acid or alkalis. lower percentage of its break strength No type of visual inspection can The use of rope for any purpose with less chance of over stressing. be guaranteed to accurately and subjects it to friction, bending and precisely determine the actual residual tension. All rope hardware, pulleys, STRENGTH rollers, descenders, carabiners, as strength. When the fibers show wear When given a choice between ropes, in any given area, the rope should be well as knots are, in varying degrees, damaging to the rope. It is important select the appropriate size for a given replaced. For more details, see the application. A load of 200 pounds Retirement section on page 3. to understand that rope is a moving, working, strength member and even represents 2% of the strength of a rope AVOID ALL ABRASIVE CONDITIONS under the most ideal conditions will lose with a breaking strength of 10,000 All rope will be severely damaged if strength during use in any application. pounds. The same load represents subjected to rough surfaces or sharp Maximizing the safety of rope 4% of the strength of a rope that has a edges. Carabiners, descenders, performance is directly related to how breaking strength of 5,000 pounds. The pulleys and other rope contact strength loss is managed and making weaker rope experiences greater strain surfaces must be kept in good sure ropes are retired from service and as a result will have to be retired condition and free of burrs, corrosion before they can create a dangerous sooner. and rust. Pulleys must be free to rotate situation. Ropes are serious working FIRMNESS and should be of proper size to avoid tools and used properly will give Select ropes that are firm and round excessive wear. Avoid any sharp or consistent and reliable service. The and hold their shape during use. Soft rough edges that the rope may come cost of replacing a rope is extremely or mushy ropes will snag easily and into contact with. small when compared to the physical abrade quickly causing accelerated damage or personnel injury a worn out strength loss. A loose or mushy rope rope can cause. When transporting, the AVOID CHEMICAL EXPOSURE will almost always have higher break same care should be taken. Rope is subject to damage by strengths than a similar rope that is firm chemicals, especially solvents, acids and holds its shape because the fibers and alkalis. Any rope that has been are in a straighter line which improves exposed to solvents, acids, or alkalis strength but compromises durability. (either fumes or actual contact) should be immediately retired. ROPE INSPECTION AND RETIREMENT USAGE memory and retain the effects of being INCONSISTENT DIAMETER Use rope properly; do not overloaded or shock loaded and can Inspect for flat areas, bumps or lumps abuse or shock load it, observe fail at a later time even though loaded or areas that are otherwise different recommended usage factors for within the work load range. Any rope in texture, size, or feel from the bending and work loads. Keep that has sustained a shock load should majority of the rope’s surface.