Introduction

Manufactured from extruded aluminum alloy Providing a simple, continuous and functional anchorage system with very high levels of user safety and great aesthetics In addition to fall protection applications, it has also been used extensively as the primary anchor point for suspended rope access tasks. Is OSHA compliant 1926.502

Features and Benefits

A discrete design and range of fixing brackets ensure design flexibility and offer concealed fixing solutions to complement building aesthetics UniRail can be fitted to a wide range of structures and can support multiple workers for both fall arrest and fall restraint work applications. Suitable for use as an anchorage system for rope access and abseil 6000 Series aluminum Alloy components ensure a quality safety system that will withstand harsh environments A UniRail system offers workers continuous hands free movement and navigates corners and building contours, providing maximum design and integration flexibility.

Application

External façade access for window cleaners and building maintenance engineers

Suspended rope access work for internal and external building maintenance tasks

Internal and external access for high work areas such as walkways and gantries

Wind turbine Nacelle safety

Tourist attractions and theme parks

Public and heritage buildings

Water treatment tanks and storage vessels

Typical applications include:

Overhead anchorage for work on vehicles and in production halls

System Components

Moulded end: Protects personnel from injuring themselves against an exposed edge of end rail.

Common parts

System Stop: Prevents the rail from coming out of its end anchorage bracket in the event of a fall in the first or last span of the system.

Tamper-proof carriage stop: Prevents the carriage from coming off the end of the system.

Removable carriage stop: Prevents the carriage from coming off the end of the system.

Rail Joint: Joins the ends of two rails and maintains the integrity of the system for fall arrest situations.

Rail Corner: Corners are available from stock and other bends and forms are easily accommodated down to a radius of 200mm (7.88”).

Attachment carriage: Enables the user to connect to the system and enjoy complete hands-free movement along the rail. It features a stainless steel parking lock for work positioning tasks and aluminum, nylon coated wheels. A stainless steel shackle enables connection of a karabiner hook and pivots to enable best functionality at any angle of take off. Min strength 15kN (3300lbs)

Rail: Discrete profile just 32mm x 32mm (1 ¼” x 1 ¼”). Silver anodised as standard and can be powder coated on request.

Choose system orientation to suit your application

Choose fixing brackets to suit application:

Side fix anchors have exposed fasteners for ease of installation.

Concealed fix anchor fasteners are hidden from view for maximum

aesthetic effect.

What purpose the system is to be for:

Fall arrest, Fall restraint, abseil and suspended access

System Configurations

Capital Safety’s team is on hand to provide you with design input, identifying system layouts, fixing detail, structural suitability and discussing how the system will be utilized.

Rail supplied in 3m (9.84ft) lengths

Rail slides in anchor fixings – spacing according to system use

Each rail length connected by a Rail Joint

Various corners available to suit rail orientation

Specifying Systems

UniRail

End anchor

1mm gap for each meter of system

Rail end stop

Carriage stop

Moulded rail end

Joins and corners supported within 200mm (7.87”) by intermediate anchors Carriage with hardened anodized wheels and steel locking pin

UniRail

Joint assembly

Intermediate anchor

Specifying Systems: Concealed fix v’s Side fix

Concealed fix considerations

Aesthetically preferable profile

Fits into narrow channels

Cannot see fixings

Rail must slide into position after fixing anchors

Difficult to check fixings during maintenance

Fixing with corners requires modification of the rail

Must fix with M10 countersink bolt

Threaded bracket available for through fix systems

Side Fix Considerations

Rail can be in the brackets when marking and mounting the anchors

Greater flexibility of fixing type – threaded bar, bolts, M10 or M12

Fixings are easily checked for torque setting

Not as aesthetically pleasing

Specifying Systems Example: Fall arrest/restraint

Anchor spacing 2.6m (8.53ft) typical

End arrangement including: End anchor, Rail end stop, Molded rail end, Carriage stop

Choose either concealed fix or side fix

Corners available to suit orientation

Leave 1mm (0.03”) gap for each meter of system

Standard corners available as 90° and 45°

Wall mount: Internal, External

Floor / Overhead mount

Wall mount 90° assembly – to negotiate zero radius corners

Case studies

Palau De Les Arts Reina Sofia

(The Queen Sofia Opera House)

Architect: Santiago Calatrava

Problem: Fall protection system was not specified at the design stage. Irregular shaped construction with high ceilings and curved walls made maintenance with scaffolding virtually impossible “Trencadis” shell skin meant that traditional fall protection systems cannot be used

Solution: Rail system installed inside the building, which would have minimal visual impact Provides suspended rope access, positive restraint and fall arrest for multiple users Rail ‘floats’ within fixings allowing it to expand and contract with the building

Case studies

The Agora

(Part of City of Arts & Science complex)

Architect: Santiago Calatrava

Problem: Traditional fall protection systems unable to cope with Irregular shaped construction Restrictive access Must be unobtrusive and blend in with appearance of building

Solution: Rail system was specified at design stage ensuring a highly cost effective solution Rail system was supplied in a white powder coated finish to complement the building Provided a safety solution during the building phase

Waste Water Treatment Works, Scotland

(Generic to many water authorities worldwide)

Problem: Settlement tank machinery rotates and the gantry support wheels track along the top of the knee high inner overflow wall. Solid matter has to be regularly removed, manually off the top of the inner wall. Conventional cable fall arrest systems fixed to the outer wall would result in the user falling into the tank.

Solution: A custom length of UniRail was formed to fit perfectly within the radius of the treatment tank. The UniRail system was attached to the outer wall of treatment tank and restrains the user, thereby minimising fall distance and immersion.

Case studies

Supporting information

Unirail Technical Manual – Hardcopy

Uniline Product Info File

Brochure

Designer’s Guide

Technical Datasheets

Installation Instructions

User Instruction Manual

Website

Case Studies