BS 1909:2017 pdf download – Safety requirements for cableway installations designed to carry persons — Recovery and evacuation
9.4 Other evacuation methods Devices external to the installation may be used for the evacuation of passengers subject to the following conditions: — they are normally intended for the transfer of people and conform to the applicable standards and regulations (for example, mobile hydraulic platforms); — their use has been tested on all or part of the installation and the corresponding procedures and limits of use have been defined, if necessary by agreement; — their incorporation in the evacuation plan takes into account the above conditions and their availability. If the use of an external device depends on favourable meteorological conditions or other unpredictable evacuation factors, the evacuation plan shall not be based principally on this. This applies in particular to the use of helicopters, which shall be covered by a special section of the evacuation plan.
9.5 Equipment for evacuation to the ground
9.5.1 General requirements
9.5.1.1 The equipment shall be resistant to abrasion, corrosion and ageing as appropriate to its use. The production of heat shall be considered.
9.5.1.2 The equipment shall be ergonomically designed such that its use does not constitute a danger and that the physical effort required of personnel is limited to the minimum required for the operation.
9.5.1.3 If there is a danger of a fall from a height during any of the phases of the evacuation operation, the personnel shall use appropriate personal protective equipment. NOTE See Bibliography. 9.5.1.4 The equipment required for the evacuation of the passengers shall be safe and quick to use. In particular, the harness system shall be designed to hold a person being evacuated correctly with no danger of an uncontrolled fall, even when the person is moving in an uncoordinated way. Attachment and removal shall be simple and the fixing device shall be fitted with protection to prevent accidental opening (see 9.1.4).
9.5.1.5 The equipment necessary for evacuation, including the anchorage points, shall be subjected to a test of its suitability in situ on the actual installation. The equipment shall be used, stored, maintained, checked, tested and replaced in accordance with the standards, the recommendations of the manufacturer and the evacuation plan. The in-situ test shall be repeated periodically. Compatibility of all replacement equipment or spare parts shall be verified.
9.5.1.6 It shall be possible to identify an item of equipment without any risk of confusion; complete, clear and permanently legible instructions for its use shall be kept with it.
9.5.2 Requirements specific to equipment for access to the carriers from the ground
9.5.2.1 Poles and ladders shall be hooked onto the ropes or carriers, shall have the correct supports and shall be held firmly to ensure stability during use.
This equipment shall only be used for operations involving low heights.
9.5.2.2 The stability of mobile hydraulic platforms shall be ensured and platforms shall be equipped so that the transfer of passengers from the carriers to the ground is easy and safe.
9.5.3 Requirements specific to equipment for access to carriers from line structures and by the rope
9.5.3.1 Use of the equipment shall be simple and quick. Operations to pass line structures shall be as easy as possible and it shall be possible for a single person to take the equipment past carriers.
Carrier trucks shall be protected against derailment and unintentional disconnection. The risk of trapping or entanglement of the personnel shall also be reduced as far as possible.
The speed of movement shall be uniform and it shall be possible to stop at any point.
The equipment for moving along the rope shall be fitted with a fixing point for the rescuer’s harness.
9.5.3.2 The personnel shall be protected against the risk of falling and runback, especially in the event of the equipment’s failure to move along the rope or due to their own weakness. The risk of runback may be controlled by means of a locking rope or winch or a failsafe on-board brake. Particular care shall be given to the safety of personnel during operations for transferring from a line structure to
the rope or from the rope to a carrier.
Personnel accessing the carriers shall be provided with equipment for their own evacuation.