The fall-arrest safety nets are collective protective equipment (CPE) intended to protect persons and/or objects against falls from a height. Consisting of a connection of nylon meshes or plastic materials, they are supported by a rope on the edge anchored with suitable elements, in order to stop the person’s fall.
The EN 1263-1 refers to the safety nets and accessories used during construction and assembly work, to protect workers from falling from a height. It specifies the safety requirements and test methods, and is based on the performance features of the polypropene and polyamide fibres they are composed of.
Classified according to two parameters: class and system. The class defines the dimensions of the mesh and the strength of the net while the system indicates the type of net support and the different usage methods.
There are four classes (A1, A2, B1, B2) that are distinguished for the maximum size of the meshes (lM) and for the characteristic energy values (E) that may act on them.
- A1 lM = 60 mm E = 2,3 kJ
- A2 lM = 100 mm E = 2,3 kJ
- B1 lM = 60 mm E = 4,4 kJ
- B2 lM = 100 mm E = 4,4 kJ
There are four systems, two for horizontal use (System S and System T) and two for vertical use (System U and System V).
System S:
A rope on the edge frames and reinforces the perimeter area with the lifting and anchoring cables connected to it. Positioned horizontally, it protects a wide zone of the work area against falls, generally inside of a structured to be protected. System S safety nets must have a minimum surface of 35 m2 with the short side no shorter than 5 m.
System T
Console attached (metal support frame) for horizontal use. Unlike System S, it has a smaller surface and features a bracket connected to the external wall of the structure.
System U
Attached to a support rack for vertical use, it might or might not have its own frame supplied by the customer. Linked and attached to the support rack by suitable rope or belt.
System V
A rope on the edge is attached to a fork support, the vertical installation protects both against lateral and vertical falls that can occur from two levels. In the various possible usage solutions, it prevents the accidental falls of operators and/or of materials onto the operators.