Horizontal anchorage devices:
Where is the difference?

Installation along the entire fall risk zone

Compared to anchorage points which only offer the user a limited range of safe movement, dependent on the length of the lanyard, MultiRail rail systems can be installed along the entire work area and allow continuous connection and greater protection.

Can also be used as a handrail

Compared to cable systems and anchorage points, horizontal guide rails offer the advantage that they can be also installed as handrails.

Energy distribution via multiple intermediate brackets

In case of a fall, the forces are absorbed by several intermediate brackets and not just by both of the end-fixings, as is the case with cable systems, or by a single point, as is the case with anchorage points.
Shock absorbers are therefore used in cable systems. Xenon shock absorbers with Structure-Guard technology offer the advantage of highly effective energy absorption.
The rail can resist forces of up to 100 kg without permanent deformation. The rail is not fixed in the intermediate brackets, enabling thermal expansions to be offset.

Greater fixing spans

Also, compared with traditional horizontal guide rails, MultiRail offers the advantage of greater fixing spans (up to 6 m) and can be used by more people at the same time (up to 6).

Cable systems like Xenon can realize fixing spans that are greater than this. However, this leads to higher loads on end attachments in case of a fall. Not every supporting structure can bear this.

Selection

Horizontal guide rails are used if one can realise short fixing spans are achievable and an anchorage system with more user comfort is required, e.g. in case of frequent usage or in combination with a retractable type fall arrester or with vertical GlideLoc rails or ladders.

MultiRail also offers greater fixing spans and can also be guided around corners, e.g. on facades or machines.

Thanks to their relatively lower cost, Xenon steel rope systems are used for long runs when the distance between fixing points is large or when systems are not used frequently, e.g. on roofs or stadiums.

Safety Actions

Temporary vs. permanent
Collective vs. individual