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Author

Figure 8 Decender And Rope

maxim0200

23-Nov-2009
1:11:43 AM

Hello,
I have just started rigging for live events,
My question is one of the simple figure 8 descender, and rope.

My situation is that you go up with the rig and then come back in on rope (mainly
because its easier than climbing down the steel rope ladder).
This is done by simply looping the rope over a structural point then descending on both
lines, once you reach the bottom you just pull your rope through to retrieve it.

I have recently acquired a figure 8 (its a basic one "faders" is the brand, made in spain
and is rated to 4000Kg, it is 150mm long x 75mm wide on the big ring) what maximum
rope diameter should i use? single or double rope?

Also What rope would you guys go for? I have read that static rope is best and from my
fellow workers they recommend 11mm or bigger because you are hauling lines up into
the roof allot.

Thanks in advance!
maXim

patto

23-Nov-2009
1:51:20 AM

On 23/11/2009 maxim0200 wrote:
>Hello,
>I have just started rigging for live events,
>My question is one of the simple figure 8 descender, and rope.
>
>My situation is that you go up with the rig and then come back in on rope
>(mainly
>because its easier than climbing down the steel rope ladder).
>This is done by simply looping the rope over a structural point then descending
>on both
>lines, once you reach the bottom you just pull your rope through to retrieve
>it.
>
>I have recently acquired a figure 8 (its a basic one "faders" is the brand,
>made in spain
>and is rated to 4000Kg, it is 150mm long x 75mm wide on the big ring)
>what maximum
>rope diameter should i use? single or double rope?
>
>Also What rope would you guys go for? I have read that static rope is
>best and from my
>fellow workers they recommend 11mm or bigger because you are hauling lines
>up into
>the roof allot.
>
>Thanks in advance!
>maXim

Since you are in the industry you or you colleagues SHOULD know the answers to these questions. Furthermore a fig-8 is not the best decent device for this purpose for many reasons. Also what we climbers would do is far different from what is normally acceptable in a work environment.

Climbers would have an issue with rapping down on double 9mm strand.

PDRM

23-Nov-2009
6:51:05 AM

On 23/11/2009 maxim0200 wrote:

>Also What rope would you guys go for? I have read that static rope is
>best and from my
>fellow workers they recommend 11mm or bigger because you are hauling lines
>up into
>the roof allot.
>
>Thanks in advance!
>maXim

You should be using Industrial Rope Access techniques and equipment and be qualified in same to either IRATA or ARAA standards. A figure-8 on a looped double line is not legal or permitted in any circumstances in a workplace or under any Australian or Workcover Standard. Furthermore anyone setting anchors and shifting loads using ropes or cables needs to be a qualified rigger.

.Macca

[edit to fix IRAA to ARAA as below]

IdratherbeclimbingM9

23-Nov-2009
2:49:59 PM

Good advice in the above replies ...

On 23/11/2009 maxim0200 wrote:
>what maximum rope diameter should i use? single or double rope?

Your Figure 8 should have come with user instructions. If it did not, then you could look these up on the web by doing a search for them.
Competent instruction is even better...

Figure 8's are designed to take a variety of rope diameters though are most commonly used with 11 mm diameter; and can be used single strand or double strand ~> although you will notice a difference in friction between the two styles.

>
>Also What rope would you guys go for? I have read that static rope is
>best and from my fellow workers they recommend 11mm or bigger because you are hauling lines up into the roof allot.
>
Static ropes are best for abseiling and hauling on, as they have less stretch than dynamic ropes.

patto wrote;
>Climbers would have an issue with rapping down on double 9mm strand.

?
an issue (sic), or no issue ?

~> I'd suggest the latter.
☺

The good Dr

23-Nov-2009
3:15:09 PM

The questions that you have asked indicate that you are quite unaware of the requirements for workplace safety. You should:

1. Be using safe work practices in accordance with working at heights regulations relevant to the state you are working in (these are legal requirements that your employer SHOULD know).
2. Be working in accordance with the guiding documents for the regulations. E.g. There are a number of Australian Standards that cover the type of work you are doing. These are used as the basis for the work practices covered in 1.
3. Get some industrial training (eg Industrial Rope Access - IRATA; ARAA and Rigging - an AQF certification)
4. Be using equipment that you have been properly trained in the use of the equipment supplied for your work site.

Falls from height are one of the biggest killer in industry in Australia and many more people get seriously injured than die. If your employer is unaware of, or ignoring any of the above do yourself a service and get another job.

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