Anchor points
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Anchor points
Anchor devices are safety devices that serve as central connection points for personal fall protection equipment (PPE). They are installed on fixed structures such as buildings, steel structures or other load-bearing surfaces to ensure secure attachment for harnesses and lanyards. These devices play a crucial role in fall protection by controlling the forces that occur in the event of a fall and transferring them to the structure to prevent injury to the person working. A distinction is made between anchor points and movable anchor points, such as rail and lifeline systems.
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In order for an anchor point to be legally and technically permitted for use in Germany, certain approvals and certificates must be available. The European Technical Assessment - ETA for short - is a Europe-wide proof of performance for construction products for which there is no harmonized European standard. Products with an ETA may be sold throughout the EU and bear a CE mark. The ETA therefore proves the performance characteristics of a product under standardized test conditions. However, in Germany it is not sufficient on its own to use a product permanently in a building.
For legally compliant installation in Germany, a general type approval (abG) is required in addition to the ETA. The abG is a certificate of usability issued by the building authorities that describes not only the product itself, but in particular its interaction with the structure. A construction type is always created when at least two construction products are combined with each other, for example anchor points (product 1) and concrete substrates (product 2). The abG defines how these two components must be connected so that they can safely absorb the forces that occur in the event of a fall. It ensures that the entire system functions properly and that there is no connection to the structure that could fail.
In addition to the ETA and the abG, there is also the general building approval (abZ) in Germany. It serves as a national approval for individual construction products that are not covered by a harmonized EU standard and also do not have an ETA. An abZ is only valid in Germany and is also issued by the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt). It confirms that a construction product may be used safely on a permanent basis without additional individual tests.
There are several relevant regulations for anchor points. DIN EN 795 is a European standard and describes fall protection systems, including permanently installed points (type A), horizontal ropes (type C) and rail systems (type D). It cannot be used as the sole verification for permanently installed products in Germany. These systems may only be integrated into the structure in conjunction with an ETA and abG or abZ.
DIN EN 517, which specifically regulates safety roof hooks for pitched roofs, is much more specific. It distinguishes between two types: Type A roof hooks may only be loaded and used in the direction of the fall line of the roof surface. This means that the person working may only move below the anchor point. Type B safety roof hooks in accordance with DIN EN 517 are tested for “absorption of tensile forces acting both in the direction of the fall line (y-axis) against the direction of fall (y-axis) and perpendicular to and parallel to the roof surface (x-axis)”. This means that anyone working with a type B hook can move sideways towards the verge, work above the hook in the direction of the ridge and even change the side of the roof.
In Germany, a complete proof of usability is always required for the legally compliant use of anchor points. This means that an ETA alone is not enough - a product can only be used permanently in combination with an abG or alternatively with an abZ. This guarantees not only the properties of the product, but also its safe integration into the building. Those who rely on tested quality and well thought-out solutions ensure that anchor points also offer long-term protection.
Anchor points for fall protection from Sicherheitskonzepte Breuer stand for tested safety “Made in Germany”. Our solutions are created in a master-managed specialist company that specializes in individual safety concepts for every roof. Whether anchor points or alternative systems - such as fall protection in the form of a guardrail, a cable system fall protection or models for securing fixed ladders - we will be happy to help you!