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Fall Safety System Installation

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to fall protection. If you can't find the answer to your fall safety question here, contact us! We're ready to help.

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What are the advantages of a turnkey fall protection solution?

Our clients typically tell us they prefer having a single source capable for performing all aspects of a project from start to finish. They don’t want to deal with or don’t have the resources to manage and coordinate multiple contractors. FLS provides a dedicated project manager on every project who oversees all aspects of the project. FLS has in-house engineering, design and fabrication capabilities, along with our experienced team of certified technicians ensure consistent quality, total compliance and minimal impact to ongoing operations.

Who is certified to design and install a permanent fall arrest system?

Permanent fall arrest solutions should be designed, engineered and installed under the supervision of a qualified person. A qualified person is typically a degreed structural engineer with extensive experience in the design of fall arrest systems. If the fall arrest system is a manufactured product, additional certifications from the manufacturer are typically required.

How do I find out if my building can support a fall protection system?

Most buildings were not designed with a fall arrest system in mind. Many times a roof or ceiling supported fall arrest systes will apply loads to the structural members on their weak axis. A qualified person, who is also a structural engineer, will analyze the loads applied to the building and design bracing necessary to resolve the loads into the structure.

Can my old system be recertified?

Probably not. Many older or “homemade” lifelines lack certain components of today’s lifelines. If the answer is no to any of the following questions, it will be unlikely for the lifeline to be recertified.

  • Is there a lifeline tension indicator or method of determining tension
  • Does the lifeline have a built-in energy absorber?
  • Are the ends of the lifeline mechanically terminated with a swage?
  • Is the lifeline cable and components made of stainless steel?

How close to a roof edge can one be before needing protection?

There is no safe distance from an unprotected leading edge such as a roof.

What is harness suspension trauma?

Harness Suspension Trauma is a condition which occurs when someone hangs in a harness for too long. According to most industry experts, potentially fatal effects can occur in as little as 15 minutes of suspension. This is a hotly debated topic in the fall protection and rescue industry as there is limited medical research or real world examples of this condition.

What is the max weight of a user in a harness?

Typically, 310 lbs. Some manufacturers have product available for users up to 420 lbs. Be careful in selecting equipment for over 310 lbs. While a harness may be capable of supporting the additional weight, also ensure the anchorage point and deceleration device (lanyard) are also rated to the higher capacity.

Can I get someone to inspect my facility?

Step one is to contact your designated territory manager based on the map on our contact page. After contacting the territory manager, he or she will discuss options with you for next steps, including a site visit.

How do I choose the right fall protection solution?

A careful evaluation of the job task, space constraints and many other criteria are part of the considerations in choosing a portable fall protection solution. Keep in mind that a lot of the portable fall protection solutions are customizable to fit specific applications. Contact your territory manager for more information.

What is FLS’s warranty?

Products carry the manufacturer’s standard warranty. FLS offers a lifetime warranty on all engineered systems manufactured by FLS.

What’s difference between inspection and recertification?

Inspection is typically a visual process performed prior to use and on a periodic basis. Recertification is a process which typically involves engineering review of the original design, load testing and other activities in order to “certify” a system.

What does FLS manufacture in-house?

FLS manufactures our FlexRail system and all of the structural connections used to support a fall protection system. We also manufacture ladders, platforms, guardrails and other steel structures used in our fall protection solution

How long does a typical fall protection project take?

A fall protection project can typically take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks to complete. We usually allow 1-2 weeks to perform a design site visit, 3-4 weeks to complete engineering and design drawings and 4-6 weeks for fabrication and installation.

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