The Aqua Anchor Bladder System (AABS) is a patent-pending niche product designed to provide an alternative solution for buildings that do not have roof anchors or parapet walls that are below the OSHA minimum therefore requiring Fall Restraint for workers on 'above ground surfaces'.

 

It is a portable non-penetrating, dead-weight, Fall Protection anchor used to provide a anchorage for both fall restraint and fall arrest applications. The Aqua Anchor system consists of a 150-gallon bladder placed within a 7,000 lb. webbing / net resulting in a 1,250 lb. deadweight. 

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NOTE:  OSHA 1910.140(b): a properly configured restraint system must prevent the worker from reaching the location where a fall can occur.

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Fall restraint anchor requirements, per OSHA, vary depending on the specific application.

Each Aqua Anchor single bladder system, when filled to 150 gallons of water (SAABS) weighs 1,250 lbs. Depending on the users need an additional anchor (or more) may be connected together to create a higher threshold resistance value.  

• Users that cannot 'reach the roof edge' and are not putting pressure on their Fall Restraint connection have minimal 'load' on the anchor.  Up to eight (8) users (two on each side) if the load is minimal and within the OSHA prescribed 2X factor.

• In the event of a fall: One (1) person in Fall Arrest mode and two (2) persons in Fall Restraint mode are approved.  The two persons in Fall Restraint mode will be needed to effect rescue of the person who requires assistance.

 

An OSHA Letter of Interpretation regarding Fall Restraint (CFR 1926.502) states:

“We suggest that, as a minimum, fall restraint systems have the capacity to withstand at least three thousand (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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TESTING: 

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The Aqua Anchor bladder system has been tested on the following 'wet' surfaces: reinforced EPDM, TPO and PVC membranes.  Wet TPO had the lowest coefficient of friction value of .77  Calculated with a single Aqua Anchor the 1,298 lb. overall weight (1,250 bladder + 24# netting and 24# bladder) multiplied by the 'friction value' results in a resistance value of 1,000 lbs. 

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SAFETY NOTE: The other tested (wet) roof membranes (EPDM and PVC) had higher coefficients of friction.  This means the Aqua Anchor would have a higher load value when used on these roof membranes.  Conservatively;  we have assigned the lowest value during testing as it's 'ability' : a 1,000 lb. load value for all three roof types.

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OSHA Standards: 29 CFR 1910.140(c)(13), 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15) / 1926.502(d)(15)(i)

state the minimum requirement of a safety factor of 2 when installed under the supervision of a qualified person.  It is incumbent that the user arrive at the required value to determine the individual need to allow calculation of the 2 times factor.​

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Specifications

 

Bladder

• Constructed of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

• Each bladder weighs 1,250 lbs. when filled with 150 gallons of water

• TPO Coefficient of Friction = .77

• Approximate dry weight: 24 lbs.

• Dimensions: 5’ 6" x 5’ 6", filled to approximately 8 inches high

• Capacity: 150 gallons

• Provides approximately 43 lbs. per sq. ft.

• Collapses and folds into a medium sized suitcase

• Made in the U.S.A.

 

Support Netting:

• 7,000 lb. webbing

• 12-inch square mesh

• Dimensions: 8’ x 8’

• A single strand tested with a 5,000 lb. impact load without breaking throughone of the single threaded pattern/sections.  (Regardless: designated tie-off points have multiple threaded pattern/sections to increase safety).  NOTE: This test and associated 5,000 lb. impact load does not imply a rated load of 5,000 lbs. but was performed to test/prove the strength of the threaded portion/sections of the netting.  This surpasses CFR 1926.502 / 3,000 lb. suggested minimum requirement.

• Approximate weight: 24 lbs.

• Made in the U.S.A.

 

Important Safety Information

 

The Aqua Anchor is designed to weigh approximately 43 lbs. per square foot, making it one of the only engineered, designed and tested portable anchorage systems available which has the ability to remain below the maximum roof load rating for commercial building roofs.

 

Users must verify and document local commercial roof load ratings in their local area to ensure the system is filled appropriately and remains below allowable limits.  To reduce the sq. ft. weight the Aqua Anchor may be filled with a lower amount/gallonage of water.  In this case additional Aqua Anchors may connected to meet the users 2X factor for Fall Restraint needs.  Additional anchors may be attached together by carabiners (on approved tie-off points) to keep a consistent load rating of 1,000 lbs. (or more if needed) while remaining under the Engineered roof load.

 

A water-to-sq. ft. weight chart is included in the user manual to assist users in achieving the correct and safe configuration.

 

Field Testing:

 

The complete Aqua Anchor System (AAS) underwent three years of field testing prior to its release in 2026.

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Performance Physical Testing:

Performed and Witnessed by Anchor Certification Testing Inc. personnel.

- Wet TPO roofing membrane: 1,250 physical pull test 1,000 lbs. = .77 Coefficient of Friction

1,250# anchor (plus48# bladder and net) on Wet TPO X .77 =

1000 lb. anchorage load value: 

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