Useful information about mobile anchorage devices

What are mobile anchorage devices and what are they used for?

Mobile anchorage devices create temporary, load-bearing anchor points for work at height, rescue operations and work in confined spaces. They are used when no permanently installed anchorage system is available at the worksite or when a flexible solution is required for changing locations.

The SKYLOTEC range includes tripods, davit systems, beam clamps, doorway anchor bars, mobile anchor cables and rescue winches. Depending on their design, the systems can be used on steel beams, door openings, floor or wall mounts, shafts or other suitable structures. It is essential that the anchorage device, supporting structure and complete rescue or safety system are compatible with one another.

What advantages do mobile anchorage devices offer compared with permanently installed systems?

Mobile anchorage devices can be used at different locations and removed again once the work has been completed. This provides a high degree of flexibility for maintenance work, temporary construction sites, rescue operations or changing access points to shafts, vessels and industrial facilities.

Permanently installed single anchor points, cable or rail systems, by contrast, are especially useful when work is carried out regularly at the same location. Mobile systems reduce installation effort and can be used in many different ways, but require the attachment situation, supporting structure and intended load to be assessed carefully before every setup.

Which mobile anchorage devices are suitable for work in confined spaces?

Tripods or davit systems are frequently used for work in shafts, tanks, ducts and other confined spaces. They create an elevated anchor point above the access opening, enabling people to be lowered and raised in a controlled manner.

The JACKPOD TRI 1 is a portable, height-adjustable tripod for vertical entry. The larger JACKPOD TRI 2 provides a greater working height and additional anchor points. Both systems can be combined with suitable rescue winches and brackets to create a complete access solution and enable planned rescue from confined spaces.

When is a davit system more suitable than a tripod?

Tripods stand freely above an access opening and are particularly suitable for mobile use at shafts or vessels where sufficient space is available around the opening. Davit systems, by contrast, are attached using a floor, wall or corner mount and therefore require less space directly above the access point.

A JACKPOD DAVIT SET offers advantages at access points that are used regularly and where suitable mounts can be installed permanently. The portable davit arm is inserted when required and removed again after use. This combines a defined mounting point with a flexible rescue and access solution.

What advantages do JACKPOD rescue winches offer for rescuing people?

Rescue winches allow people to be lowered into a work area in a controlled manner or raised again in an emergency. They are used particularly for vertical access and work in confined spaces where rapid retrieval to a higher level must form part of the rescue plan.

The JACKPOD WINCH 1 is equipped with an 18-metre steel cable and approved for rescuing people. The JACKPOD WINCH 2 has a cable length of 45 metres and is therefore suitable for greater access depths. Suitable brackets allow installation on JACKPOD TRI or JACKPOD DAVIT systems.

When are beam clamps suitable as mobile anchor points?

Beam clamps use existing steel beams as temporary anchorage structures. They are particularly suitable for industrial maintenance, installation and construction work where stable steel sections are available but no permanent anchor points have been installed.

The BEAMTAC 2.0 is a mobile anchor clamp for steel beams measuring between 90 and 360 millimetres and is designed for up to two people. The clamping jaws allow it to be adjusted to different beam widths. Before use, the load capacity, condition, profile geometry and load direction of the steel beam must be checked.

What advantages does a doorway anchor bar offer as a mobile anchor point?

Doorway anchor bars allow a mobile anchor point to be created in suitable door openings. They are used, for example, for rescue, maintenance or rope access work in buildings when no other sufficiently load-bearing anchor point is available.

The JAMBTAC is an adjustable aluminium doorway anchor bar for door widths from 600 to 1,100 millimetres and is designed for up to two people. Its adjustable design allows it to be adapted to different openings. The building structure must have sufficient load capacity and be suitable for the intended load.

What are mobile steel anchor cables used for?

Mobile steel anchor cables are placed around suitable load-bearing structures to create a temporary anchor point. Compared with textile anchor slings, steel cables provide high resistance to mechanical stress, but must also be protected against sharp edges and unsuitable loading.

The ANCHOR CABLE 8MM consists of an 8-millimetre steel cable with a protective sleeve and is designed for up to three people. The JACKPOD ANCHOR CABLE 5MM is intended for one person and complements mobile JACKPOD configurations. The choice depends on the number of users, structure, length and intended system.

When is a telescopic solution useful for remote anchor points?

Telescopic poles allow connectors to be attached to higher or difficult-to-reach anchor points without the user first having to reach the area while unsecured. Suitable structures can therefore be prepared from the ground or from a safe position.

The FS 90 AL TELESKOP combines a snap hook with a coupling for telescopic poles. Such solutions are suitable for temporary anchorage situations on trusses, beams or other elevated structures. Before use, it must be ensured that the selected anchor point has sufficient load capacity and that the karabiner is fully closed.

What advantages do mobile anchorage devices offer for rescue and maintenance?

During rescue operations, anchor points often need to be created at short notice in changing locations. Mobile systems allow tripods, davits, winches or anchor clamps to be set up according to the particular operational situation. This means that areas without permanent rescue infrastructure can also be accessed.

For maintenance work, mobile anchorage devices offer economic advantages when different machines, shafts or installations are only accessed occasionally. A coordinated mobile system can be used at several suitable locations. Clear setup instructions, trained users and a site-specific rescue plan are essential.

Which standards apply to mobile anchorage devices?

EN 795 Type B is particularly relevant for transportable anchorage devices. Systems intended for several people may also be tested in accordance with CEN/TS 16415. Depending on their function, additional standards apply, including EN 1496 for rescue lifting devices, EN 354 or EN 358 for certain lanyards and ANSI/ASSP Z359.18 for international applications.

As the product category includes very different designs, the same standard does not apply to every product. A tripod, rescue winch, beam clamp and doorway anchor bar perform different functions. The standard, number of users, load direction and manufacturer’s approval must therefore always be checked for the specific product.

How do you choose the right mobile anchorage device?

The selection begins with the specific access situation. A JACKPOD TRI may be suitable for an open shaft. A JACKPOD DAVIT is suitable where fixed floor or wall mounts have been prepared. Steel beams can be used with a BEAMTAC 2.0, while the JAMBTAC is designed for suitable door openings.

The number of users, rescue depth, required winch, anchorage situation, transport effort and available installation space must also be considered. A SKYLOTEC mobile anchorage device should always be selected as part of a complete access, safety and rescue system. Individual components may only be used in combinations approved for this purpose.

How are mobile anchorage devices inspected and set up safely?

Before every use, all load-bearing components, connectors, locking mechanisms, cables and mounts must be checked for damage, corrosion, wear and full functionality. Tripods must be positioned securely, their legs secured against unintentional spreading and davit arms correctly locked into the intended mount.

The prescribed periodic inspections by a competent person and the product-specific manufacturer’s instructions must also be observed. Setup should only be carried out by trained users. Particularly when working in confined spaces, the rescue procedure and operation of the winch must be clearly defined before work begins.