What is this standard about?
This standard provides requirements and test methods with the goal of ensuring that the structural anchor systems of personal fall protection equipment are safe.
In fact a European standard exists in this area – BS EN 795. However, when it was revised in 2012, testing of the structural anchor used to attach the anchor system to the building structure came out. This left a key aspect of the provision of such anchor devices without proper guidance.
BS EN 795 also doesn’t provide guidance on several types of anchor system used for fall protection. BS 8610 was created to fill these gaps.
Specifically, the new British Standard will enable manufacturers to place a wider range of anchor systems for fall protection on the market than is now possible, because it supplies a way to demonstrate their fitness for purpose and safety in use.
Who is this standard for?
- Manufacturers of anchor systems
- System installers
- Examining bodies e.g. Notified bodies who test systems to certify fitness for purpose against the standard
- Users of anchor systems
- Other interested parties, e.g. architects and structural engineers, including those responsible for the design of safe access and egress on structures
NOTE 1: Some installers, who currently install systems of their own design and manufacture, will have to regard themselves as manufacturers under the scope of this standard and comply with its recommendations.
Why should you use this standard?
Because it provides requirements and test methods for type testing anchor systems installed and tested in the base materials specified by the manufacturer. It covers:
- Restraint systems
- Fall arrest systems
- Rope access systems
- Work positioning systems
- Rescue systems
- Evacuation systems
It deals with anchor systems intended for one or more users simultaneously and specifies the maximum number of users for each type of anchor system.
NOTE 2: Where the manufacturer intends to rate their anchor systems for more than the specified maximum number of users, it is recommended that they liaise with an appropriate test house, taking into account the principles of this British Standard and develop a test specification accordingly.
NOTE 3: This British Standard is not applicable to the following which are considered inappropriate for such use;
1. Equipment conforming to BS EN 516 or BS EN 517
2. Type A load-limiting anchor systems (see 3.3.2) for: Rope access and work positioning
- Rescue – accompanied descent
- Rescue – remotely operated – redirect attachment
- Evacuation
3. Type C non-load-limiting and load-limiting anchor systems (see 3.3.3) for:
- Rope access and work positioning
- Rescue – accompanied descent
- Rescue – remotely operated – redirect attachment
- Evacuation
4. Type B and type E, as described in BS EN 795, are not covered in this British Standard as they are not installed in a base material
5. Bespoke structurally designed anchors incorporated into structures.
NOTE 4: The performance requirements in this British Standard are intended as minimum requirements for anchor devices, structural anchors and their base material(s). The performance requirements do not constitute structural verification of the structures for the imposed loads.
NOTE 5: Information on the use of anchor systems in personal fall protection systems, including rope access, can be found in BS 8437, BS 7985 and BS 7883.
NOTE 6: Anchor systems conforming to this British Standard for rope access should meet the requirements of the rope access industry for anchor systems, as detailed in BS 7985 and the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) International code of practice for industrial rope access (ICOP) [1].