Sperian Miller SafEscape ELITE User manual

Sperian Fall Protection Deutschland GmbH& Co. KG, Seligenweg 10, D-95028 Hof,Tel. [phone], Fax[phone],
[e-mail], www.fall-protection.com
Operating manual
for descender and
rescue lifting device
SafEscape ELITE™
SD 72
As on 28.05.09

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Sperian Fall Protection Deutschland GmbH& Co. KG, Seligenweg 10, D-95028 Hof,Tel. [phone], Fax [phone],
[e-mail], www.fall-protection.com
Contents
1. General inform ation ............................................................................................................ 3
2. Technical description.......................................................................................................... 3
2.1. Technical data........................................................................................................... 3
2.2. Assembly................................................................................................................... 5
2.3. Intended use ............................................................................................................. 5
3. Preparation........................................................................................................................... 6
4. Use......................................................................................................................................... 7
4.1. Rescuing accident victims...................................................................................... 7
Lifting function ......................................................................................................................... 7
Descent function ...................................................................................................................... 8
4.2. Options for moving the rescuing person.............................................................. 9
5. Safety instructions ............................................................................................................ 11
5.1. Storage and transport............................................................................................ 11
5.2. Servicing and cleaning.......................................................................................... 11
5.3. Period of wear......................................................................................................... 11
5.4. Regular inspections............................................................................................... 11
6. Instructions for the visual inspection of the descender and rescue lifting devices. 14
6.1. Testing the device housing................................................................................... 14
6.2. Checking the cam cleat ......................................................................................... 14
6.3. Checking the karabiner and the round steel shackle........................................ 14
6.4. Checking the kernmantel rope ............................................................................. 15
6.5. Checking the handw heel....................................................................................... 16
7. Logbook.............................................................................................................................. 17
8. List for the documentation of the available descent energy ....................................... 18

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Sperian Fall Protection Deutschland GmbH& Co. KG, Seligenweg 10, D-95028 Hof,Tel. [phone], Fax [phone],
[e-mail], www.fall-protection.com
1. General information
The descender and rescue lifting device is used to rescue persons who have met
with an accident when working at a height or underground.
The descender and rescue lifting device is not a fall arrester!
Everyuser of the descender and rescue lifting device must read and understand this
manual before using thesystem.
The descender and rescue lifting device should be used only by qualified and/or
competent persons who have the required knowledge of what is to be done in case
of emergencies.
The area of application of the descender and rescue lifting device is between
ambient temperatures of –30°C and +60°C. In case of temperatures below freezing
point, it must be noted that the brake of the descender and rescue lifting device can
freeze as a result of the moisture.
2. Technical description
2.1. Technical data
Manufacturer: Sperian Fall Protection Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Type: SafEscape ELITE™…….
Device class: EN341 Class A, EN1496 Class B
Serial number: ……………………………..
Year of manufacture: ……………………………..
Length of the rope: …………………………
Device weight (without rope):1.65 kg without handwheel
2.3 kg with handwheel
Rope weight: 6.7 kg / 100 m
Test standards: prEN 341:2008 type 1 Class A
EN1496:2007 Class B
Testing agency: TÜVSÜD Product Service GmbH
Ridlerstrasse 65
80339 Munich
Germany
CE 0123

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The device has been type examination-tested with the following rated outputs
as per EN341 / EN1496:
Descent loads / heights: 100 kg / 16 x500 m = 8000m (1 heftyperson)
Minimum descent load: 30 kg
Ø Descent velocity: ≈1 m/s
Lifting power: 100 kg
Lift: 3.5 m
Additional functional tests can be used to test the maximum power values of
the devices:
The device maybe used in these conditions onlyin case of an emergency! Increased
descent velocities andsevere wearmust also be taken into account if necessary!
Descent loads / heights: 150 kg / max2 x500 m
250 kg / max2 x200 m (2 heftypersons)
maxpossible lifting power: 280 kg
maxpossible lift: 10 m and above
Exercises are not termed as emergencies! Certain safety equipment must be
kept as reserves. Here, we recommend the following power values:
Descent loads / heights: 75 kg / 20 x500 m = 10,000 m (1 heftyperson)
100 kg / 15 x500 m = 7,500m (1 heftyperson)
150 kg / max4 x150 m = 600 m
250 kg / max2 x150m = 300m (2 heftypersons)
Minimum descent load: 30 kg
Lifting power: 100 kg
Lift: 3.5 m
The rope and the device should be checked for wear after amaximum of 50 descents
or 10 liftings.

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[e-mail], www.fall-protection.com
2.2. Assembly
2.3. Intended use
The descender and rescue lifting device is used to rescue persons who have met
with an accident when working at a height or underground.
The descender and rescue lifting device is not a fall arrester!
The descender and rescue lifting device has not been designed for lifting and
lowering loads.
Carabiner
Round steelshackle
Rope turning device
Descender and
rescue lifting device
Handwheel
Cam cleat
Moving rope

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[e-mail], www.fall-protection.com
3. Preparation
The user must conduct a visual inspection of the descender and rescue lifting device
each time before using it to ensure that all its equipment is operational. The rope, the
device housing, the safety karabiner, the rope turning point and the handwheel must
be free of damage and smooth run-in and run-out of the rope should be possible at
the point where it enters and leaves the descender and rescue lifting device. If any
type of damage is detected or if there is a doubt regarding the safety of the system,
the use of the device must be stopped immediatelyand the device should be handed
over to the manufacturer or one of the experts specified by the manufacturer for
checking.
The anchor point for the descender and rescue lifting device must withstand at least
11 kN. Connection to the anchor point can be established using lanyards as per EN
354, holding ropes as per EN 358, karabiners as per EN 362, guided-type fall
arresters on a flexible anchor line as per EN 353-2 or tape slings and anchor slings
as per EN 795.
If possible, the anchor point should be at such a point on the structure that allows a
free descent without obstacles. Descent over sharp edges and sharp-edged objects
must be avoided and sufficient distance (approximately 0.5 m) should be maintained
from the stonework in order to facilitate descent. If it is not possible to maintain a
sufficient distance, the rope must be protected by underlaying it with a suitable edge
protection.
During the entire rescue process, ensure that the persons involved are always
secured at the base. This means that if there are no railings, the persons must be
secured using a full body harness as per EN 361 or lanyards as per EN 354 or
energyabsorbers as per EN 355.
The operator at the location must ensure the availability of a rescue measures plan
which takes into account all possible accidents that mayoccur.

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[e-mail], www.fall-protection.com
4. Use
4.1. Rescuing accident victims
Lifting function
After the accident victim who has been secured using lanyards as per EN 354 has
fastened the descender and rescue lifting device to a suitable anchor point, the rope
end joint at the rope exit must be attached to the chest or back element on the full
bodyharness of the accident victim using the provided karabiner.
The rope between the descender and
rescue lifting device and the person to
be descended should not be slack. The
free rope at the other side is pulled
down or tautened using the handwheel.
The free rope is led through the turning
device, looped through and fixed into
the cam cleat.
The handwheel can be rotated to
elevate the accident victim till he/she
can either be lifted to asecure base or
the securing lanyard of the person to
be rescued can be detached. When
doing so, the slack rope between the
turning device and the cam cleat is
pulled downward and tightened over
and over again. This helps in
minimising the distance over which the
person to be rescued may slip in case
the handwheel is inadvertently
released.

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[e-mail], www.fall-protection.com
Descent function
Always put the handle back into the
handwheel; else, there can be extreme
vibrations during automatic descent
due to the lack of balance. Pull the
rope in the cam cleat out of the cam
cleat from behind and lower the
accident victim. Here, the rope is also
anchored using the turning device. The
released rope easily slides into the
hand during descent.
The movement velocity is automaticallycontrolled via a centrifugal brake. In addition,
the person on the base (the rescuing person) also has the option of holding onto the
rope in his/her hands, thus stopping the descent.
Ensure that the rope which goes up during descent does not get caught in or
entangled with the structure, thus interrupting the descent. Also ensure that there are
no obstacles during descent.
The rope must always be looped around the turning point during the descent in order
to minimise the force to be applied whenstopping the descent.
Alternating descent of persons
The descender and rescue lifting device allows several people to abseil one after the
other.
When the first person who abseils reaches the ground, he/she unhooks the karabiner
of the descender and rescue lifting device from his/her full body harness. The next
person to abseil hooks himself/herself to the karabiner on the other rope at the top
and abseils or is abseiled.
If every person to be rescued does not have a full body harness, the full body
harness or the rescue triangle is taken off by the abseiled person on reaching the
ground and left on the rope so that the full body harness again reaches the top with
the end of the rope that is now free and can thus be used by the next person who
abseils.

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4.2. Options for moving the rescuing person
Moving the rescuing person and person to be rescuedsimultaneously
The process of simultaneously moving two people is permissible only up to a
maximum descent height of 200m.
Both the persons must put on or wear a full bodyharness as per EN 361 or a rescue
harness as per EN 1497 (follow the relevant operatingmanual).
After the accident victim has been lifted to a secure base, the rescuing person can
hook the karabiner at the end of the rope which is already in the chest or back
element of the accident victim to the chest element of his own full body or rescue
harness.
The rope between the descender and rescue lifting device and the person to be
abseiled should not be slack. The free rope at the other side must be pulled
downward and fastened in order to tauten the rope. It is also anchored using the
turning device.
The persons can now abseil from the base byletting go the fastened rope.
The movement velocity is automaticallycontrolled via a centrifugal brake. In addition,
the person who remains on the base can interrupt the movement of the rope moving
upwards bybrakingmanually(holding on to the rope).
If there is nobody on the base anymore, the option of stopping the movement
manually is no longer available for the entire stretch depending on the rope length
(rope supplies), because after half the stretch, the rope coming up is above the
abseiling person.
Simultaneous abseiling of two persons provides the option of abseiling a person
needingmedical aid undersupervision.
When moving two persons (max 250 kg) simultaneously, it must be taken into
account that the descent velocities will be more as compared to a one-person
operation.
Moving the rescuing person after the rescue process
After the rescue process is complete, the descender and rescue lifting device is
unhooked from the anchor point by the rescuer and the karabiner on the rope end
joint of the free rope is hooked at the anchor point.
The karabiner on the descender and rescue lifting device is hooked at the chest
element of the full bodyharness such that the person with the descender and rescue
lifting device canmove away.
Tighten and hold the rope below the descender and rescue lifting device (starting
point of the rope) if necessary; the rope should not be slack. Here, the rope is also
anchored using the turning device.

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The person can now abseil from the base by letting go of the rope. The movement
velocityis automaticallycontrolled via a centrifugal brake. The movement can also be
interrupted by means of manual braking. For that, the rope below the descender and
rescue lifting device must be held such that further downward gliding of the device on
the rope is not possible.
Note:
Additional safety is always necessary during exercises!

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Sperian Fall Protection Deutschland GmbH& Co. KG, Seligenweg 10, D-95028 Hof,Tel. [phone], Fax [phone],
[e-mail], www.fall-protection.com
5. Safety instructions
5.1. Storage and transport
The rescue equipment should be stored in dryand cool rooms and protected against
UV irradiation. Avoid contact with acids, corrosive liquids and oils. In case the
unavoidablemoisture penetration of the rope, these should be dried naturallyand not
using heat sources.
A stable device bag or device case should always be used to transport the rescue
equipment in order to avoid damage due to external effects.
5.2. Servicing and cleaning
A visual inspection of the rescue equipment must be conducted before every use in
order to ensure that the device is operational.
If damage to the rope, karabiner or descender device is detected, the use of the
rescue equipment must be stopped and the device must be checked by the
manufacturer or a bodyauthorised byhim/her.
Note: No changes or additions must be made to the descender and rescue lifting
device; else, the type examination is no longer valid.
Use a dry cloth or brush to clean the housing. The rope can be cleaned with
lukewarm water and mild soap followed by rinsing with plain water. Ensure that it is
completelydry before packaging. Do not use heatsources!
5.3. Period of wear
The period of wear depends on the relevant operating conditions. Based on the
present experiences, a period of wear for textile ropes could be 4 to 7 years under
normal operating conditions. The device can be used for many more years
depending on thestorage and operating conditions.
5.4. Regular inspections
The rescue equipmentmust be tested at least once a year by the manufacturer or an
expert, even if it is not in use. If damage is detected during this inspection or there
are doubts regarding the usability of the equipment, the device must be sent to the
manufacturer or aservice centre authorised byhim.
This expert testing must be conducted at least every 7 years either by the
manufacturer himself/herself or byan expert authorised byhim/her.

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[e-mail], www.fall-protection.com
Normal use
In case of stronger loads (e.g. ambient or industrial factors having an effect on the
material), the complete rescue equipment should be tested more often if required.
After a 3000 m descent with a maximum of 100 kg descent load, the descender and
rescue lifting device must be inspected by the manufacturer or an expert authorised
bythe manufacturer and the rope must also be tested.
This inspection must be conducted well in advance in case of higher descent loads.
Inspections in case of use in training operations / exercises
A visual inspection must be conducted on the descender and rescue lifting device by
an expert before every training session since the device is often used in training
operation or exercises. The information sheet of the manufacturer must be adhered
to when conducting the visual inspection for descender and rescue lifting devices.
In addition, an expert (e.g. skilled trainer) must conduct a revision inspection after the
intervals specified below in case of training devices or devices which are often used
in exercises.
Test intervals specified bythe manufacturer for a revision inspection:
Movement / descent
Device usage Test interval
Revision inspection Test interval Rope
Movement onlywith individual
persons,
Maximum descent load 100 kg
Maximum descent height 500
m
After 300 mtrs. or
whenever damages are
assessed during the
inspection or anydoubts
arise regarding the good
functionalityof the
equipment, the device
shall se sent to the
manufacturer or to an
authorizedservice point.
After 1000 m free
movement, i.e., the rope
does not run over an
edge,etc.
Constantmovement with 2
persons
Maximum descent load 250 kg
Maximum descent height 200
m
After every2nd movement After every2nd movement

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Lifting
Device usage Test interval
Revision inspection Test interval Rope
Maximum lifting power 280 kg
Maximum lift 3.5 m 10 m 10 m
All the limit values specified for test cycles are applicable only for devices and ropes
which do not have any signs of wear. If there are visible / noticeable signs of wear on
the rope or the device which do not necessarily lead to absolute retraction of the
device, the test intervals must be shortened or the device must be inspected
immediatelyand repaired orscrapped if necessary.
The device must be tested after every training session and one day before the next
usage, irrespective of whether or not the above-mentioned limit values for the test
cycle have been reached during the previous trainingsession.
The test lists of the manufacturer for conducting the inspection as well as the
corresponding operating manuals must be adhered to.
The instructions and the test instructions of themanufacturermust be adhered to.
The available descent energy and the conducted revision inspections must be
entered in the attached list for documentation. Descent and lift should be
differentiated between in this case.
Authorisation for conducting trainings and exercises.
Application trainings must be conducted only by persons who have been trained
(having a certificate / training certificate) by the manufacturer or a direct
representative to become a trainer.
Exercises must be conducted only under the supervision of competent persons who
have participated (having a certificate / training certificate) in at least one training
application bythe manufacturer or an authorised person.
The manufacturer or a direct representative of the manufacturer trains the trainers.
The training to become a trainer also includes the training to become an expert. The
trained trainer is authorised to conduct application trainings as well as expert
trainings. Only the trainers authorised by the manufacturer may conduct trainings for
trainers.

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6. Instructions for the visual inspection of the descender and rescue lifting
devices
During the visual inspection of the descender device, ensure that the housings and
housing covers have a quality seal which is intact. If it is not, it might mean that the
device has been opened byunauthorised persons.
If the seal is missing or damaged, the use of the device must be stopped immediately
and the device must be handed over to the manufacturer or one of the experts
specified bythe manufacturer
6.1. Testing the device housing
Checking the starting point / end point of the rope:
The wear / abrasion of the starting and end point of the rope must be checked. The
abrasion at the start and end point of the rope should not be more than 2 mm; if it is,
the use of the device must bestopped.
The material in the wear area has a polished scrubbed, smooth and shining surface.
The abrasion / wear creates astrong valleyin the material.
Checking the device housing:
The housing must be tested for corrosion, mechanical damage, deformation and
crack formation.
A visual inspection must be conducted. If there are cracks, deformations, corrosions
or mechanical damage, the use of the device must be stopped and it must be sent to
the manufacturer for testing.
The bolts must be checked for completeness and fixed seat.
The availability of all bolts must be visually checked. Unfastened bolts must be
tightened using an appropriate spanner. If the bolts are no longer completelypresent,
the use of the device must bestopped.
6.2. Checking the cam cleat
The cam cleat must be checked for crack formation, fixed seat and operability.
6.3. Checking the karabiner and the round steel shackle
The karabiners and the round steel shackles must be visually checked for corrosion,
mechanical damage, deformation and crack formation. The use of the equipment
must bestopped in case of damage.

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Independent locking of the karabinermust also be checked.
6.4. Checking the kernmantel rope
The entire length of the rope must be checked visually and manually for cuts, fibre
fractures, thickening, kinks, knots, fire areas, strong wear, abrasion, open, released
terminations (saturations) and case displacement.
Tear in the saturation and heat shrink
tube
Torn opensaturation
Strong rope abrasion

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Attention must be paid to the properties of the rope (above-mentioned points) during
the manual sliding of the rope.
If the rope has one of the above-mentioned properties, the use of the device must be
stopped. The rope must be replaced by the manufacturer or a person authorised by
the manufacturer.
The material abrasion and brake dust resulting from the use of the device gets
partially transferred from the device on to the rope. This results in discolouration of
the rope (grey-black), but it does not have an adverse effect on the properties of the
rope.
6.5. Checking the handwheel
The handwheelshould be checked for fixed sit and operability.
If the handwheel cannot be rotated anymore or if it shakes or rotates without
resistance, the use of the device must be stopped.

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[e-mail], www.fall-protection.com
7. Logbook
The following is a record sheet for conducting the revision inspection of the
equipment and must be maintained in the form of a logbook.
After 300 mtrs. or whenever damages are assessed during the inspection or any
doubts arise regarding the good functionality of the equipment, the device shall se
sent to the manufacturer or to an authorized service point.
Product: SafEscape ELITE™descender and rescue lifting device
Serial number of the manufacturer:
Owner / user:
Date of purchase: First used on:
Date of
inspection
Result of the inspection
Details about the detected defects
Stamp / Signature
of the expert

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8. List for the documentation of the available descent energy
Product: SafEscape ELITE™descender and rescue lifting device
Serial number of the manufacturer:
Owner / user:
Date of use
Result of visual
inspection before
using the device
Trainer /
user
Available
descent
energy in m
w ith the
specification
of the
descent load
Available
descent
energy when
lifting in m
w ith the
specification
of the descent
load
Signature
of the
trainer