Technical bulletin

EN 795 Personal fall

protection equipment
Anchor devices
The European standard relating to the
testing of personal fall protection
equipment Anchor Devices EN 795
has been updated. The revised standard
gives far greater detail on testing and a
greater onus on the test method.

An overview of the key changes from the 1996 version of the standard are as follows:

EN 795:2012 CEN TS 16415

1. Deals specifically with single-user anchor devices. In recognition that horizontal lifelines frequently need to
2. BS EN 795: 2012 states, Requirements and test methods for accommodate multiple users a technical specification
multi-user anchor devices, i.e. anchor devices that allow more (CEN TS 16415) has been written to support the new
than one user to be attached at any one time, are provided EN 795:2012 standard.
in a separate CEN Technical Specification. This Technical The technical specification states:
Specification is CEN/TS 16415: 2012 (see right).
1. Anchor devices must be compliant with EN 795: 2012.
3. States that in recognition of foreseeable misuse, anchor devices
2. Multi-user devices must now be tested to simulate a minimum of
intended for fall restraint must be tested for fall arrest.
two users falling simultaneously.
4. States that U-Bolt clamps shall not be used to form
Latchways philosophy of testing products beyond the minimum
cable terminations.
standard remains and we welcome the development of the
5. States that static strength requirements have increased: revised EN 795 standard and CEN TS 16415.
Metallic anchor devices now 12 kN (previously 10 kN) A copy of the new EN 795:2012 standard can be purchased
Non-metallic anchor devices now 18 kN* (previously 10 kN). from the BSI Group website: http://shop.bsigroup.com/ or your
*unless evidence of durability is provided. local standards organisation.
6. States that the anchor device shall be tested using
construction fixing(s) (e.g. clamp) and construction material(s)
(e.g. a roofing system) as recommended in the information
provided by the manufacturer.
7. Clarifies the requirements for testing a Type C horizontal flexible
anchor line (ManSafe Horizontal Cable System) which includes
the requirements to test in the longest and shortest spans, at
intermediate and corner brackets, at a joint in the line and at an
entry/exit line fitting.

EN 795 testing of a Constant Force post on a membrane roof

Constant Force is a registered trademark of Latchways plc.