Fall Restraint Beam
Fall Restraint Beam
(OP)
Existing structure needs a fall restraint beam added. There are 2 rows of several floor openings. There will be 2 fall restraint beams spanning between roof frames. Owner wants 3 people to be able to be tied off each side. I know that the design impact load is 5 kips. Is there a reduction that can be taken for multiple people? Looking at the frame, it seems I should design for worst case 15 kips each side. The probability of 6 people falling at the exact same time cannot be very high. It just seems like overkill.
Any literature on structural design for fall restraint?






RE: Fall Restraint Beam
RE: Fall Restraint Beam
So, by limiting the lanyard force, you can reduce the required loads. 5.4 kips is much easier to work with than 15 kips.
Joel Berg
RE: Fall Restraint Beam
Fall Arrest beams are where the lanyard is long enough that the user can fall off the exposed edge.
This is the best demo of the differences I have found:
http://www.latchways.com/default.aspx?item=34
Hopefully that helps.
Joel Berg
RE: Fall Restraint Beam
That does help! Thank you.
RE: Fall Restraint Beam
The impact force is modified based on the type of lanyards used so you are usually well under the 5000 lb you mentioned.