Petzl ZIGZAG User manual

2 - 10 kN
15 kN
15 kN
1 / 2
19/04/2013
Safety Alert
Stop use Petzl ZIGZAG mechanical Prusik
Sku. D22
This information is complementary to the Safety Information issued April 15, 2013
On Friday, April 12, Petzl was informed of an accidental fall in a training center in Germany. The injured person was
moving at height using a Petzl ZIGZAG mechanical Prusik. The initial observations have shown that the fall was due to a
failure of the rope end attachment hole. Our investigation and further testing lead us to conclude that this failure was the
result of a particular configuration of a cantilevered and off axis loaded upper carabiner.
2/3 - ZIGZAG with a cantilevered upper
carabiner
This is an incorrect configuration.
Note: most of the carabiners tested this way pivot and
correct themselves to be loaded on the major axis
starting at 2 kN of force. Some carabiners pivoted and
corrected themselves at 10 kN, without damaging the
upper attachment hole.
1/3 - Breaking strength of the ZIGZAG’s
rope end attachment hole
With this carabiner configuration, the breaking
strength of the rope end attachment hole is greater
than 15 kN.
Petzl test Results:

2 kN 2 kN
4 kN
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19/04/2013
3/3 - ZIGZAG with a cantilevered and off axis upper loaded upper carabiner
This is an incorrect configuration.
We are fully aware of the inconvenience caused by this issue. Please accept our apologies and know we take this issue
very seriously. The safety of our users is Petzl’s first priority. Thank you for your continued trust.
Petzl decisions:
1 - As a measure of precaution, we ask that you stop using your ZIGZAG mechanical
Prusik.
2 - This stoppage will remains in place until we have approved and communicated an appropriate solution
to maximize the safety of ZIGZAG users.
3 - We have decided to stop sales of ZIGZAG mechanical Prusiks.
4 - While there currently may be several solutions to maintain the upper carabiner correctly oriented on its
major axis, Petzl cannot presently guarantee their effectiveness in all circumstances because we have not
tested them sufficiently.
5 - Our teams are mobilized to quickly develop and verify a solution specifically for the ZIGZAG to maintain
the upper carabiner oriented on its major axis.
6 - The availability of this solution will be communicated on www.petzl.com by May 22, 2013 at the latest.
In this configuration, we have observed a failure of the
rope end attachment hole of the ZIGZAG under 4 kN
of charge (equivalent to short fall, repeated shock or
sudden stop, etc).
The cantilevered upper carabiner in this particular
configuration multiplies the forces applied to the rope end
attachment hole, leading to its failure.