ASTM_E_2505_-_07_2014.pdf

Designation:E250507(Reapproved 2014)Standard Practice forIndustrial Rope Access1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2505;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThis standard applies where access is gained to structures,man-made or natural,by means of ropessuspended from the structure or the features concerned.It applies to cases where ropes are used(1)as the primary means of support,(2)as the means of primary protection or positioning,and(3)whereoperatives descend or ascend on a rope,or traverse along a tensioned horizontal rope where the useof hands and feet can no longer be used to fully support the body.This standard is not intended to apply where rope access techniques are used by the fire department,other emergency services,and the armed forces.The authorities concerned with these activities havetheir own standards for such work.This standard does not apply to other methods of working at height such as steeple jacking,suspended scaffolds,steelwork erection,or boatswains chairs.1.Scope1.1 This practice provides a framework of practical andtechnical information within which the specifying authorityand the operators using rope access techniques can developeffective arrangements to help ensure the safety and health ofpersonnel involved in these projects.1.2 This practice applies to the use of techniques wherebyaccess is gained to structures,man-made or natural,by meansof ropes suspended from the structure.It applies to all caseswhere ropes are used as the primary means of support andwhere persons descend or ascend a rope,or traverse along atensioned horizontal or inclined rope.1.3 This practice applies to all industrial uses of rope accesstechniques except use by the fire department and other emer-gency services for rescue work and training in connectiontherewith.Fire and rescue authorities have special proceduresapplicable to their circumstances.This standard does not applyto other methods of working at heights,such as suspendedscaffolds.1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ANSI Standards:2ANSI 289.1 2003 HelmetsANSI 2359.1 1992 Harnesses2.2 OSHA Regulations(Standards29 CFR):31910.66 App C Fall Protection System1926.450 Scope,applications applicable to this subpart1926.500 Scope,application,and definitions applicable tothis subpart1926.502 Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices1926.503 Training Requirements2.3 Other Standards:CE EN361&EN358 Harnesses4Cordage Institute C11801 Low Stretch and Static Life SafetyRope51This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor-mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.55 onPerformance of Building Enclosures.Current edition approved April 1,2014.Published May 2014.Originallyapproved in 2007.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E250507.DOI:10.1520/E2505-07R14.2Available from American National Standards Institute(ANSI),25 W.43rd St.,4th Floor,New York,NY 10036,http:/www.ansi.org.3Available from Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA),200Constitution Ave.,Washington,DC 20210,http:/www.osha.gov.4Available from the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation(UIAA),UIAA Office,Monbijoustrasse,61 Postfach CH-3000,Bern 23,Switzerland,http:/www.theuiaa.org.5Available from The Cordage Institute,994 Old Eagle School Road,Suite 1019,Wayne,PA 19087,http:/.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 NFPA 1983 Fire Service Life Safety Rope6UIAA 101&EN892 Standard/Testing for Dynamic Ropes43.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 anchor,na secure point of attachment having suffi-cient capacity to support elements of a suspension system orfall protection system(see primary anchor and directionalanchor).3.1.2 ascender,na type of rope grab designed to grip arope firmly when loaded in one direction and which can slidefreely along the rope in the opposite direction.3.1.2.1 DiscussionAscenders are used in pairs to ascend aworking rope.3.1.3 ascent system,na type of suspension system thatallows a worker to ascend a working rope.3.1.4 basic rescue,vthe unassisted controlled rescue of acoworker in an emergency using a combination of fall arrestropes and working ropes.3.1.5 belay,vthe active use of