Vertical Fall Arrest Somewhat Home Brew
An affordable, yet sturdy Vertical Fall Arrest (home-brew) System.
For the Safety Cable consider using 3/8 7 strand Galvanized steel which will
run up one tower leg from bottom to top spaced out several inches from the side.
3/8ths is the most common strand (often free) used by utilities.
To safely terminate the top, which might have to withstand a 8,000 pound
jerk. I use a third party, Rohn 45G Guy bracket with out torque arms. From Norms
Fab in Michigan this sturdy bracket is $70.
http://www.normsfab.com/
There is an option to go Stainless Steel hardware +$ 35 but be aware of the
fact that you must never seize/non corrode protect the stainless and the if the
stainless binds it takes a grinder to remove a nut. Carefully assemble the three
outer pieces (they are slightly different) for no interference with the internal
Z corners before cranking down ! plus S&H ask, around $25
Norm has sturdy guy brackets for (too small, dangerous) 25G also. I have never
liked 20-25G tower!
To terminate to the top guy bracket use a 3/8ths dead end (guy grip) with
thimble around one of Norms 7/16 inch hardened bolts at a guy bracket corner.
Slit and glue tennis balls for quiet spacers every 30-50 feet down to a simple L
shaped side arm bracket terminated with a turnbuckle and dead end at bottom.
I bought "like new" 3/8 inch very heavy duty Wire/Cable Grabs/Grips for my
tower belt on e-bay for $40 each, normally $200 each ! These Grabs say" M10,
Mechanical Corporation, Philadelphia, PA., Must be used with Shock Absorber, Use
on 5/16 - 3/8 Dia. Steel Cable, Free Fall should not exceed 6 Ft., One worker
per Grab." I use a short 4 foot halyard without shock arrestor between the Grab
and my D-ring tower belt. For sometimes I forget to deploy the tower leg,
Gorilla Hook when stopped and working around the tower.
A pdf file 275K Showing a Stainless Steel Grab