Climbing Technology by Aludesign S.p.A. via Torchio 22
24034 Cisano B.sco BG ITALY www.climbingtechnology.com 9/56
Member of IST23-FIPLUCT_rev.2 06-23
ENGLISH
The instruction manual for this device consists of general and specific instructions,
both must be carefully read and understood before use. Attention! This leaflet
shows the specific instruction only.
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FINCH+.
This note contains the necessary information for a correct use of the following pro-
duct/s: Finch+ (adjustable work positioning lanyard / temporary anchor device
/ horizontal lifeline / descender).
1) FIELD OF APPLICATION.
This product is a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for work positioning and pre-
vention of falls from a height; it is compliant with the Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
EN 358:2018 - Belts for work positioning and restraint and work positioning
lanyards. EN 795:2012-B/C - Temporary anchor devices. TS 16415:2013-C
– Anchor Devices. EN 12841:2006-C - Rope adjustment device/ descender (all
the standard’s requirements are satisfied except clauses 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 which
have not been considered; see paragraph 10 and Fig. 15). The product can
only be used in combination with CE-marked equipment, work equipment such as
connectors (EN 362), harnesses (EN 358/EN 361/EN 813) etc. Attention! For
this product the indications of the standard EN 365 must be respected (general
instructions / paragraph 2.5). Attention! For this product a periodic thorough
inspection is compulsory (general instructions / paragraph 8). Attention! The use
according to standards EN 795-C and TS 16415-C is not part of the scope of
Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Attention!
This device is designed for short and occasional descents: long and repeated
descents may reduce the service life of the device.
1.1 - Intended uses. Any activity carried out at height requires the use of Personal
Protection Equipment (PPE) as a protection against the risk of a fall. Before access-
ing the work station, all the risk factors must be evaluated (environmental, concom-
itant, consequential). The equipment is designed for the following applications:
prevention of falls from a height (EN 358 / EN 12841-C); protection against
falls from a height (EN 795-B/C / TS 16415:2013-C). Attention! Never use this
equipment for lifting purposes. Attention! Be careful while using the equipment in
close proximity of moving machinery or in case of electrical hazard.
2) NOTIFIED BODIES.
Refer to the legend in the general instructions (paragraph 9 / table D): M4; N1.
3) NOMENCLATURE. (Fig. 2.1). A) Sewn termination with connection eyelet. B)
Sewn-termination side of the rope. C) Rope protective sleeve. D) Connector of the
rope adjustment device. E) Hole for the connector of the rope adjustment device.
F) Cam. G) Free-end side of the rope. H) End-stop sleeve. I) Control lever.
3.1 - Main materials. Refer to the legend in the general instructions (paragraph
2.4): 3; 7 (rope adjustment device); 7 (rope, protective sleeve).
4) MARKING.
Numbers/letters without caption: refer to the legend in the general instructions
(paragraph 5).
4.1 - General (Fig. 3). Rope adjustment device: 1; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 11; 12; 15;
19. Rope: 2; 4; 6; 7; 8; 11; 12; 19; 30) Maximum number of users; 31) Equip-
ment length.
4.2 - Traceability (Fig. 3). Rope adjustment device: T1; T3; T8; T9. Rope: T2; T8.
5) COMPATIBILITY.
5.1 - Connectors. In the hole of the rope adjustment device the equipped connec-
tor must be used or, alternatively, one of the compatible EN 362 oval connectors
indicated in the chart (Fig. 16). Attention! Using a different connector (e.g. a
large-base connector) may impair the proper functioning of the equipment. The
sewn-termination loop of the equipment is compatible with all connectors comply-
ing with EN 362 and equipped with a locking gate (Fig. 2.2). The small eye
in the end-stop sleeve must be used to keep the free-end side of the rope well
organized, for example using a gear carabiner. Danger of death! Do not use to
connect to an anchor point.
5.2 - Anchor points (only for EN 12841-C / EN 358). Only anchor points that
comply with the EN 795 standard can be used (minimum strength 12 kN or 18
kN for non-metallic anchors) that do not have sharp edges. (Fig. 5).
6) ISTRUCTIONS FOR USE EN 358.
The equipment can be used as adjustable work positioning lanyard.
6.1 - Lateral attachment mode / EN 358. Secure the connector of the rope adjust-
ment device to one EN 358 lateral attachment point on the harness (Fig. 6.1).
Pass the sewn-termination side of the rope around the anchor structure and connect
the terminal connector to the other EN 358 attachment point on the harness in
the correct position (Fig. 4.1-4.2). Adjust the positioning lanyard in such a way
that it is in tension; that the anchor point is at a height equal to or greater than the
height of the waist belt. Attention! Make sure the protective sleeve safeguards the
rope. To reduce the distance from the anchor point, pull the free-end side of the
rope with one hand (Fig. 6.3). To increase the distance, grab and slightly rotate
the device with one hand while using the other hand to support yourself on the
structure or to hold the free-end side of the rope (Fig. 6.4).
6.2 - Front attachment mode / EN 813. Secure the connector of the rope adjust-
ment device to the EN 813 ventral attachment point on the harness (Fig. 7.1) and
connect the terminal connector directly to the anchor point (Fig. 7.2). Adjust the
positioning lanyard in such a way that it is in tension; that the anchor point is at a
height equal to or greater than the height of the waist belt. To reduce the distance
from the anchor point, pull the free-end side of the rope with one hand (Fig. 7.3).
To increase the distance, hold the free-end of the rope with one hand while gradu-
ally actioning the control lever with the other hand in order to adjust the speed of
the unlocking (Fig. 7.4). Attention! Operating the control lever without holding the
free end of the rope may expose the user to the risk of a fall.
6.3 - Warnings. 1) The adjustable lanyard for work positioning Finch is not meant
for arresting a fall. In case the work placement exposes you to the danger of fall-
ing from a height, this device must be used in combination with an appropriate fall
arrest system or collective protection. 2) The user must always be positioned below
the anchor point (Fig. 8). 3) Once the lanyard is placed, it must be kept in tension
in such a way to prevent a free fall superior to 0,5 m. 4) Maximum working load:
140 kg. 5) Using a work positioning system, the user is normally supported by the
equipment. As a consequence, it is essential to consider using a backup system
such as a fall protection system. 6) The presence of knots may compromise the
proper functioning of the equipment.
7) INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE - EN 795-B.
The equipment can be used as temporary anchor device.
7.1 - Installation. Pass the equipment around a structure with a suitable shape and
strength. Secure the connector of the adjustment device and the terminal connector
using an additional EN 362 connector with adequate strength (Fig. 9.2) or via
a rigging plate. Adjust the length of the rope in order to create an angle that is
not wider than 60° (Fig. 9.3) and to avoid uncontrolled movements while in use.
Finally, tie a mule knot secured with a safety knot on the free-end side of the rope
next to the adjustment device. Attention! Make sure that the adjustment device
does not lean against the structure (Fig. 9.4). Attention! The indicated values
refer to tests carried out using structures with a circular cross-section: cross-sections
with a different shape and any knot on the rope may reduce the strength of the
equipment. Attention! Do not use the equipment over structures with sharp edges
(Fig. 9.5).
8) INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE - EN 795-C.
The equipment can be used to create a horizontal single or multiple span lifeline.
8.1 - Installation. Install the equipment in between two anchor points, as shown
(Fig. 10.1). Apply an initial tension of about 1 kN by pulling the free-end side of
the rope in one of the following ways: two people pulling together (Fig. 10.2);
one person only, using a 3:1 hauling system as a help (Fig. 10.3). Finally, tie a
mule knot secured with a safety knot on the free-end side of the rope next to the
adjustment device (Fig. 9.1). Where necessary, arrange intermediate anchors
using only EN 362 connectors (Fig. 10.8) and ensure that these anchors do not
create any deviations to the horizontal lifeline. During installation, respect the
values shown in figure 11, related to: 11.1) Single span lifeline. 11.2) Multiple
span lifeline. 11.3) Minimum span length. 11.4) Maximum length of the span.
11.5) Maximum total length. Attention! An excessive initial tension might slightly
reduce the clearance distance in case of a fall while connected to a lifeline,
but it increases the stress on the anchors. Attention! An incorrect installation is
dangerous because it can drastically compromise the proper functioning of the
equipment (Fig. 10.7).
8.2 - Use. The connection to the horizontal lifeline can only be done by means of
the following connecting elements: EN 362 connectors; EN 12278 pulleys with
a breaking load greater than 19 kN; EN 358 work positioning lanyards; EN
354 lanyards; EN 355 energy absorbers (Fig.10.5-10.6). The maximum hori-
zontal deviation angle is equal to 15° (Fig. 10.4). The horizontal lifeline, when
entering and exiting potential intermediate supports, must be kept straight at all
times. Attention! If the connecting element to the anchor line is not able to pass
through an intermediate support without requiring disconnection, it is necessary to
create an extra attachment point. Attention! Follow the instructions of the device
you are going to use, in particular regarding the position relative to the anchor
and the clearance distance. Attention! The lifeline cannot be used in conjunction
with a EN 360 retractable type fall arrester. Attention! Never use the horizontal
lifeline in conjunction with a guided type fall arrester including a flexible anchor
line (EN 353-2) that have not been tested together: it could significantly increase
the value of the clearance distance. Attention! Leaving the lifeline exposed to
adverse weather conditions might compromise the level of safety it offers.
8.3 - Clearance distance (Fig. 12) While installing the lifeline, take into considera-
tion the value of the clearance distance, i.e. the minimum free space that must be
guaranteed to prevent the user from colliding with the ground or any other obsta-
cle in case of a fall. The clearance distance is given by the sum of the following
values: A) deflection of the lifeline under load. B) Maximum length of the lanyard
after the fall, including (if present) the extended length of the energy absorber. C)
Conventional user’s height (1.5 m). D) Safety margin (1 m).
8.4 - Deflection. Figure 12 shows the following values: A) Deflection of the lifeline
under load. F) Maximum stress transmitted to the anchors. The specified values
refer to tests performed with a theoretical dynamic load (G) equal to 9 kN (single
user) or 12 kN (two users). Attention! Verify that the deflection of the lifeline under