Flexible Horizontal Lifeline Systems

Scope

1.1
This Standard specifies requirements related to the performance, design, testing, labelling, and provision of instructions for pre-engineered flexible horizontal lifeline systems (FHLSs) for the attachment of personal protective equipment for protection against falls from a height. These systems are used for arresting falls and may be used for work positioning and travel restraint.

1.2
This Standard does not cover the following:
(a) FHLSs that are custom designed for limited or site-specific applications (see CSA Z259.16 for such systems);
(b) guardrail or hand line systems that are made of flexible materials such as cables, chains, and ropes;
(c) rigid horizontal lifeline systems such as rigid rail and beam systems;
(d) FHLSs with slopes greater than 5º; and
(e) FHLSs that experience directional changes greater than 10º at any intermediate anchorage.

1.3
This Standard does not stipulate designs for horizontal lifelines. However, this Standard does stipulate design limitations that are necessary for safe and durable service. (See CSA Z259.16 for such information.)

1.4
This Standard specifies strength requirements for FHLS anchorages but not strength-testing requirements for such anchorages.

1.5
In CSA Standards, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to figures are considered part of the figure and may be written as requirements. Legends to figures are considered requirements.

1.6
The values given in SI (metric) units are the standard. However, because some equipment is measured in yard/pound units, equivalent values in yard/pound units are given in parentheses for information only