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Introducing the AQUA ANCHORAGE
5,000 lb. Non Penetrating
Portable Roof Anchorage System
PATENT PENDING #18.652,592
Fall Arrest or Fall Restraint OSHA compliance
Specifically designed for CONTRACTORS and BUILDING OWNERS with Fall Arrest or Fall Restraint needs descending on Buildings with no Roof Anchors.
The Aqua Anchor is based on water weight which allows users to carry up light Bladders and Netting; reducing potential for injury during transport and Increasing Safety on the Job.
Each Bladder is filled with 150 gallons of water (1,250 lbs.). When four bladders are connected together they create a 5,000 lb, anchor.
The surrounding netting is constructed of 7,000 lb. webbing allowing for connection points on all four sides of the ‘Anchor’.
PROBLEM:
Buildings that have either NO Roof Anchors or Anchors which haven't been tested. Anchors are Required per OSHA!
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)(i) effective November 2017: Requires 5,000 lb. anchors for Rope descent systems. These new requirements state that Anchors MUST be physically tested to 2,500 lbs., certified, inspected and Maintained: Documents proving this Certification MUST be in the hands of the Contractor while using the anchors.
SOLUTION: The AQUA ANCHOR System provides a 5,000 lb. Portable Anchor allowing Contractors and Building Owners to meet these OSHA Standards without having to retro-fit their roof at great expense or rent Man Lifts to reach above-ground areas.
A Single Aqua Anchor Bladder system may be used as an integral part of a Fall Restraint System. Using one bladder, weighing 1,250 lbs. allows an attachment point for workers on above-ground surfaces.
Capable of connecting up to 8 people at a time: depending upon their calculated needs.
In the event of an accident which causes severe injury or death OSHA will respond to the site and collect pertinent samples of equipment and interview all personnel.
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Building Owners and Contractors found to be working ‘Out of COMPLIANCE’ may be subject to the following:
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- Citations
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- Monetary penalties
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- Submission to the Severe Violator Enforcement Program
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- Follow-up inspection at other sites
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SAFETY NOTE:
The Aqua Anchor is designed to weight 46 lbs. per square inch. This make it the only portable roof anchorage available which is below the maximum roof rating for most Commercial Buildings. Additionally the user has the ability to reduce the pounds per sq. inch to lower it to local standards.
The user MUST learn and document the Local Commercial Roof Weight Ratings to ensure the Aqua Anchor is filled with the correct amount of water to remain BELOW the roof rating.
A graph showing overall weight to gallon ratio for single bladders is supplied with the user manual to assist users in ensuring safety by attaining the correct weight.
The Aqua Anchor portable anchor System (AAS): when used in it’s 5000 lb. configuration provides:
- A 5,000 lb. anchor
- Impact tested to 4,925 lbs (although OSHA only requires physical testing to 2,500 lbs. (See ‘Letter of interpretation, CFR:1910.27)
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Qualifying uses inside a 4x Safety Factor:
Safety line: working load up to 690 lbs. (4x safety factor)
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Swing Stage Scaffolding requires two tie-backs: With two 5,000 lb. Aqua Anchors the equivalent working load is up to 1,380 lbs. (4x safety factor).
The heaviest scaffolding systems allow for an approximate 1,200 lbs. of working load.
The Aqua Anchor, used in a double AAS system increases that amount by 180 lbs.
The 5,000 lb. Aqua Anchor System can be used as a...
- 'Life Safety' rope connection point for personnel working in the swing stage scaffolding platform.
(See OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15) (below)
- As an anchorage for mobile swing stage scaffolding beams within the safety factor guidance as provided by OSHA
29 CFR 1926.451(a)(1) which states the anchorage must be able to supportits own weight plus at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it (4X safety Factor).
We have submitted a request to OSHA to allow RDS systems to use an anchorage with 2X or 4X safety factors as seen in other Standards. Until that point the Aqua Anchor cannot be used as an integral part of a RDS (rope descent system) system.
Using ONE BLADDER For Fall Restraint:
Impact Load testing of a Single Aqua Anchor Bladder System (SAABS) tested at 1,125 lbs. with a pull test of 925 lbs.
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CFR 1926.502 states a need for '... at least twice the maximum expected force to restrain a person from exposure to a fall hazard.'
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The SAABS has two connection points on each side of the bladder. These may all be used as part of a Personal Fall Restraint System depending upon the workers circumstances and calculation of need .
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NOTE: It is important for all users to understand OSHA’s requirements for when integrating ANCHOR USE in your Fall Protection System!
OSHA Standards ; concerning Aqua Anchor use for both Fall Restraint and Fall Arrest personal protection systems are below.
- This is not a complete list and all users must educated themselves with all aspects of safety and applicable OSHA Standards -
29 CFR 1926.451(a)(1)
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Scaffolding: requires that each scaffold and scaffold component be capable of supporting its own weight plus at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it (4X safety Factor).
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29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15)
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Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2kN) per employee attached, or shall be designed, installed, and used as follows;
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as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two; and
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under the supervision of a qualified person.
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1926.502
also has a ‘Letter of Interpretation’ which indicates: ‘fall restraint systems should have the capacity to withstand at least 3,000 pounds of force or twice the maximum expected force needed to restrain a person from exposure to a fall hazard.
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OSHA’s 2 X Safety Factor wording applying to Fall Protection:
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GENERAL INDUSTRY STANDARD / 29 CFR 1910.140(c)(11)&(13)
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Horizontal lifelines must be:
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designed, installed and used under the supervision of a qualified person; and
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part of a complete personal fall arrest sytem that maintains a safety factor of at least two.
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Anchorages must be either;​
- capable of suporting at least 5,000 pounmds (22.2 kN) per employee attached;​
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or designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person, as part of a complete personal fall protection system that maintains a safety factor of at least two.
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Definition of a “safety factor of two”: means that the engineered fall protection system (including the anchorage and all components under design) must be able to withstand at least twice the maximum calculated load that could be applied to it during fall arrest. That is the minimum margin of safety OSHA allows in lieu of the prescriptive 5,000 lb. rating.​
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