ActSafe PMX User manual

Introduction A
Product safety
& system description B
Rope C
General safety guidelines
and lifting systems D
Starting/operating
the Engine E
How to use the Ascender F
Service & maintenance G
Warranty terms H
Technical data I
PMX
Rev 2-2019 ENG MASTER

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DISCLAIMER
Failure to read and follow
the instructions within
this manual may result
in re, damage to property,
personal injury or death.
WARNING
Training and experience are required to lower the risk
of serious bodily injury or death.
This user’s manual provides general information about safe
operation and risks associated with the use of the ActSafe PMX
Power Ascender. It also gives details of maintenance procedures.
Never use the equipment unless you have read and understood
this manual and completed ActSafe approved training in the
use of the Power Ascender System. ActSafe Systems AB, our
partners and subsidiaries, disclaim any liability for damages,
injuries or death resulting from the use of the equipment which
is not in compliance with this manual.
This manual may be updated without notice.
For more information about updates and safety warnings,
visit www.actsafe.se
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INTRODUCTION
A
About ActSafe A.01
About this manual A.02
Denitions A.03
FOREWORD
Thank you for choosing the ActSafe PMX
Ascender from ActSafe Systems.
This Ascender has been designed as
an ultra-portable and versatile lifting tool
for lifting people or equipment in a safe
and effective way. It revolutionises working
in a vertical environment.
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A.01 ABOUT ACTSAFE
A
ActSafe is a pioneer in developing powered
rope ascenders and has been delivering
high-performance equipment since 1997.
ActSafe has a worldwide distribution
network of dedicated experts selling our
innovative products to a wide variety of
users. Our Power Ascenders have been
successfully used for installing reworks at
the top of the Eiffel Tower, hostage rescue
from pirates at sea and providing essential
logistical support in offshore wind turbines.
ActSafe products are redening the
possibilities for work in vertical environments.
We are completely committed
to our customers and do our
utmost to deliver top quality
products and service.
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A.02 ABOUT THIS MANUAL
This manual gives detailed information on
features and safety. However, this manual
cannot replace the need for training and
experience. The Ascender must only be
used by operators who have undergone
the ActSafe-approved training.
Safety messages of extra importance
are highlighted throughout this manual
using the signals ‘danger’, ‘caution’,
‘note’and ‘recommendation’:
DANGER
CAUTION
Note
Not following instructions or training
methods may result in SERIOUS BODILY
INJURY or DEATH.
Not following instructions or training
methods may result in BODILY INJURY,
or DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
Important information on the use of the
equipment used with the Ascender.
RECOMMENDATION
Instructions and tips on how best
to use the Ascender.
i
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A.03 DEFINITIONS
Active/loaded rope
Loaded end of the work-positioning
rope system.
Anchor
Attachment point for rope or Ascender.
Ascending
Moving up the rope.
Backup system
A rope system which captures the load in case
of primary rope failure. Approved according to
backup system requirements.
Competent Person
Operator with adequate training, experience
and certication.
Descending
Moving down the rope.
Passive/dead rope
Unloaded end of the work-positioning
rope system.
Primary rope
Work rope system used with Ascender.
Rope must be 11 mm and approved
according to EN1891 A or an ActSafe
Equipment Lifting Rope depending on
the application.
User/operator
Operator of the Ascender.
Secondary rope
See ‘Backup sytem’.
SWL
Safe Working Load. The maximum load
(as certied by a competent person) that an
item of lifting equipment may raise, lower or
suspend under particular service conditions.
WLL
Working Load Limit. The maximum load
that an item of lifting equipment is designed
to raise, lower or suspend.
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PRODUCT SAFETY
& SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
B
Product safety B.01
Usage exclusions B.02
System description B.03
Rope mechanism B.04
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B.01 PRODUCT SAFETY
ActSafe Ascender operators must, before rst use, have undergone
training in the safe use of the Ascender by either ActSafe Systems
AB or by an ActSafe-approved training partner or ActSafe distributor.
The ActSafe Ascender must be checked before every use by a
Competent Person and must undergo a minimum of one inspection
per year by ActSafe Systems AB or an ActSafe-authorised person.
More frequent inspections may be required by your national regulations.
B
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»For any purpose other than that
for which it has been designed
»Indoors in an unventilated area
(exhaust gases contain carbon-
monoxide, an odourless deadly toxin)
»In an explosive environment
»I f modiedinanywaybyanyone
other than ActSafe Systems
»After a free fall from a height of
more than 0.5 m or against any
hard surface
»If you are tired, ill, using prescription
medication that prevents you from
using machinery, or under the
inuenceofalcoholand/ordrugs
»Without having performed
a pre-use check
»If subjected to misuse in any
way so that parts or components
could have been damaged
»The Ascender system should not
be exposed to high impact forces
caused by people or loads falling
into the system
»If the operator is unsure of how
to use the Ascender safely
B.02 THE ASCENDER MUST NOT BE USED:
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BB.03 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Oil Tank Cap/Level Meter
Protective Cage
Fuel Tank
Main Switch
Sling
Accelerator Handle/Throttle
Spark Plug (hidden)
Carying Handle (Not for loads)
Descent Lever
Rope Grab Cover
Ascender Positioning Point
see D.04
Rope Cover Lock
Friction Brake
CAUTION
DO NOT use the carrying handle or
the engine protection frame as rigging
points, this part is only designed to lift
the weight of the PMX Ascender!
Engine Cover
Karabiner
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Machine Rating label
The Ascender is
supplied with a
machine rating label
attached to the
housing. This label
must not be removed!
The PMX Ascender
is approved under
the Machinery
Directive 2006/42/EC
for lifting both people
and equipment with
a Working Load
(WLL/SWL) of
250 kg (551 lb).
Priming Bulb (hidden)
Choke Lever
Starter Grip
Fuel Cap
Fuel Tank
Air Filter CoverAir Filter Mufer (Inside cover)
Machine Rating Label
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B.04 ROPE MECHANISM
Rope Grab
Rope Guide
Rope Wedge
Friction Brake
Rope Cover
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ROPE
C
Rope type
and preparation C.01
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CC.01 ROPE TYPE
AND PREPARATION
Rope recommendations
Rope recommendations for the
PMX Ascender depend on the
type of application, whether
personnel or equipment lifting.
Equipment lifting
The ActSafe Equipment Lifting Rope
(ELR) is the only approved rope to be
used in the equipment lifting system
and can be ordered at ActSafe or
via your ActSafe distributor.
Personnel lifting
All ropes that are used for personnel
lifting must meet EN 1891 A with
a diameter of 11 mm (7/16”) and
should be of a solid construction. It is
recommended to use ropes in ActSafe
Ascenders that have passed our rope
suitability test. A list of suitable ropes
and the rope testing procedure, in
case you want to perform your own
suitability tests, can be found at our
website or contact your ActSafe
distributor for more information.
The reason for having this rope list
is that especially softer ropes are
unsuitable for the use in ActSafe
Ascenders. Softer ropes should
be avoided because they deform
under load, grip is poor and can
potentially jam the Rope Grab system.
Pre-Soaking
It is recommended that only pre-
soaked ropes are used with ActSafe
Ascenders. New ropes should be
put in cold water <40°C (<104°F) for
24 hours and dried slowly afterwards.
The correct choice of rope
type depends on whether
the Ascender is being used
to lift or lower equipment
or personnel.
Check with your ActSafe
supplier or at the ActSafe
website for the latest list
of suitable ropes.
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This will make ropes more suitable
for use in ActSafe Ascenders for
two reasons:
1. Rope density
Pre-soaking makes ropes denser.
The bres will absorb the water and
will shrink when drying. The result is
that all bres become more densely
aligned and the sheath sits tighter
around the core of the rope. This will
make the rope more solid and will
consequently result in less mantle
slippage and deformation and thereby
lead to better grip in the Ascender.
2. Oil dissolution
During the production process
some oil is added to the rope
bres in order to reduce the friction
between the individual bres. When
soaking the rope in cold water some
surface oil in the sheath of the rope
will dissolve. This will contribute further
to a better grip. Do not soak ropes in
warm water, this will lead to greater
dissolution of oil, which will have a
negative impact on the rope properties.
RECOMMENDATION
A new rope will get an increased
service life if it is soaked in cold
water before the rst use.
Avoid getting sand or dirt onto/
into the ropes since it will wear
the Rope Grab and Rope Guide.
Use a Rope Mat, Rope Bag
or similar.
i
CAUTION
Always make sure that the
rope is in good condition.
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GENERAL SAFETY
GUIDELINES AND
LIFTING SYSTEMS
D
General safety guidelines D.01
Personnel lifting D.02
Personnel safety checklist D.03
Personnel lifting setup D.04
Equipment, materials
and tool lifting D.05
Basic lifting safety rules D.06
Equipment lifting setup D.07
ActSafe Training Network D.08
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DD.01 GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
»Operate the Ascender according
to the advice contained within this
user manual and pre-planned work
instructions (lift plan, access plan)
»Only trained and competent
operators should operate
the PMX Ascender and its
ancillary equipment
»Plan and evaluate your work
carefully. A rescue plan should
be in place
»Plan for appropriate supervision
of work
» Perform a toolbox talk/safety brieng
before starting the work
»Use only approved and inspected
equipment. This goes for the Ascender,
PPE and/or lifting equipment
»Inspection of equipment must be
carried out in accordance with local
regulations. The Ascender should
undergo a documented inspection
at least once every year
»Pre-use check of the Ascender
should be carried out in accordance
with the inspection guidance
provided ( see F.11)
»Use PPE (Personnel Protective
Equipment) such as helmet,
gloves and protective eye
wear when required
»Keep your hands, hair and clothing
away from moving parts
»Keep a constant eye on the Rope
Guide to ensure that the rope is running
smoothly through the rope mechansim
The PMX Ascender
is designed for both
personnel and equipment
lifting. These applications
have different system
requirements that are
described in the
following pages.
DANGER
DO NOT USE the Ascender
if you are tired, ill, using
prescription medication that
prevents you from using
machinery, or under the
inuenceofalcoholand
or drugs.
CAUTION
Do not hold the loaded rope
when ascending as there is
a risk of pinching.
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