SKYLOTEC DEUS 3300 Instrucciones De Uso página 19

of 140 kg (310 lbs). Based on this testing, we
conclude that the DEUS 3700 controlled descent
device can be relied upon for stable performance
at loads up to 200 kg (440 lbs).
However, recognize that the hands-free,
automatic descent rate of the DEUS 3700 under
increased loads will likely exceed the limit of
2 meters per second recommended by ANSI, CSA,
and EN safety standards. In fact, the hands-free,
automatic descent rate of the DEUS 3700 under
200 kg (440 lbs) of load is 2.2 meters per second.
Therefore, SKYLOTEC recommends maintaining
control of the DEUS 3700 by manually tailing
the free end of the rope to further limit the rate of
descent, or simply turning the speed control dial
for hands-free descent. Always safeguard against
impact loading components of a fall arrest or rescue
descent system. When using the DEUS 3700
controlled descent device – especially at loads in
excess of 140 kg (310 lbs) - minimize the risk of
impact loading by making sure that there is no slack
in your rope or any other component when loading
the system. Please see "Major fall & impact loading",
for more information on this safety precaution.
Ropes (read and understand all of these
WARNINGS)
DEUS 3000 Series controlled descent devices may
only be used with DEUS-approved ropes. Use of
any other rope is specifically forbidden and may
lead to loss of control, severe injury or death. All life
safety ropes should be inspected before and after
each use, and on a quarterly basis, and logged
accordingly. If any imperfections are found, the rope
should be taken out of service. Also, if a rope has
been subject to shock load, fall arrest, or used in
an emergency rescue situation, the rope should be
retired from service.
All ropes can be cut, and ropes are especially
susceptible to cutting when under load and bent
over sharp or abrasive objects. Avoid bending
ropes over sharp edges or objects, and use edge-
protection. Dirty ropes can be cut by the dirt in the
rope, especially when the rope is under tension.
Keep your rope clean. Avoid letting ropes touch the
ground, avoid stepping on ropes, avoid dragging
ropes, and avoid contaminating ropes. In long
descents where the free end of the rope is hanging
and unsupported, the weight of the free end of the
rope acts as a brake that can slow or stop descent.
This happens with all descent devices. To moderate
this effect, you may have to physically lift the free
end of the rope to initiate and maintain descent.
All ropes experience a condition called "sheath
slippage." Too little sheath slippage makes a rope
extremely stiff and unusable. Too much sheath
slippage allows the sheath to bunch up and jam in
the controlled descent device. Sheath slippage is
exacerbated when the rope is subjected to sudden
stops inside the controlled descent device. To
prevent jams caused by sheath slippage in your
DEUS 3000 Series controlled descent device,
avoid using the control dial for sudden stops.
Instead, if you anticipate stopping midway during
descent, use the manual tailing brake to control
descent and to stop descent. Once stopped, turn
the control dial to the "stop" position to maintain
vertical position hands free. To re-initiate descent
after stopping, apply the manual tailing brake
before turning the control dial to the "go" position.
Ropes become stiffer and harder to work with the
more they are used. This happens because the
fiber-twist and braid-angle put into a rope to make
it easy to work with are gradually straightened
out as a rope is used. Stiff rope will affect
performance of a DEUS 3000 Series controlled
descent device by making it harder to pull rope
through the device and making descents slower.
When a rope becomes stiff and difficult to use,
replace it.
Rope will experience wear when used in a
DEUS 3000 Series controlled descent device.
Surface fibers in the mantle (outside sheath) will
fray and individual surface fibers in the mantle will
melt and become hard under high load and high
heat. When a rope looks and feels heavily used,
replace it.
Knots tied in rope, webbing and slings can
dramatically reduce strength and cause premature
wear. Any kind of end-termination on a rope – knots,
sewn eyes, swagged fittings, spliced eyes – reduces
strength. In general, the strength reduction due to an
end-termination is a function of the compression in
the rope and the sharpness of the bend in the rope.
It is not uncommon for strength to be reduced by
50% due to the end-termination.
Rope, sewn slings, lanyards, energy absorbers and
harnesses are vulnerable to wear. Frequent contact
with dirty, abrasive and sharp surfaces, particularly
at connection points to anchors and other hardware,
accelerates rope wear.
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