USBASIC SAFETY IN NUMBERS

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1 USBASIC SAFETY IN NUMBERS #1.Current Normalisation Ropes Courses and Ropes Course Elements can conform to one or more of the following European Norms: -EN 362 Carabiner Norm -EN 795B Connector Norm -EN Ropes Course Norm In brief: *EN362 states that a Carabiner has to withstand 20kN in its major axis and 10kN in its minor axis during 3 minutes. After this load, a deformation is allowed, but it should still function properly. *EN795b states that a Connector in combination with the Lifeline and its Connection to the fixed anchor point has to withstand 10kN during 3 minutes. After this load, a deformation is allowed, but it should still function properly. *EN states that a Connector in combination with the Lifeline and its Connection to the fixed anchor point has to withstand 10kN during 3 minutes. After this load, a deformation is allowed, but it should still function properly. Pagina 1

2 #2.The Actual Situation on Ropes Courses Since this is a young industry, one can find a wide variety of connectors and methods; starting from a "drying line" to a fully engineered continuous belay system. #3.We put the Standard higher In designing USBasic our goal was securing the participant with flawless system under the toughest of loads, using the least of material. "Less is often more in Design" The USBasic Connector is designed to withstand 20kN in its major axis and 10 kn in its minor axis during 3 minutes. After these three minutes it still functions well. The USBasic Cable Holder is designed to withstand 45kN during 3 minutes. After these three minutes it still functions well. Although EN795B only requires 10kN/3min, clearly only the connector is intended and not the connection of the lifeline. Pagina 2

3 The Sag to Span ratio should be taken into account. In other words the holding strength of the cable holders has to be far larger than 10kN. #4.TÜV Comments on the USBasic System These comments prove the above. On 02/07/2009 we received from Doctor Volker Kron of TÜV Süd Tec Sport the following Quote: "Hallo Herr van de Walle, wir haben die Prüfungen an ihrem Seilgartensystem durchgeführt. Der Läufer erfüllt die Anforderungen nach EN 795 B für ihr Seilgartensystem mit 10 kn statisch und einer dynamischen Belastung von 100 kg Fallmasse/ 2,5 m Fall. Eine statische Längsbelastung von 20 kn/ 3 min wurde ebenfalls bestanden. Das Spaltmaß war danach bei 6,90 mm. Das Seilsystem wurde mit 10 kn am Verbindungs-Stahlbügel belastet, was ohne Probleme gehalten wurde. Die gezackten Terminalklemmen wurden gegeneinander mit ihrem Stahlseil nach ihren Vorgaben montiert und bis Bruch belastet. Hier war der Bruchwert des Stahlseils 47,713 kn, was bei einem Sicherheitsfaktor nach EN von 3 und einer Kraftlimitierung ins System nach EN von 6 kn einen Mindestwinkel von 10,87 ergibt, der eingehalten werden muss. Dies entspricht einem Seildurchhang von min. 12,07 %." Unquote Translated: "Hallo Mr. Van de Walle, we have been testing your ropes course system. The runner (the USBasic Connector) conforms to EN 795 B for your ropes course system with a static Pagina 3

4 load of 10kN and a dynamic fall of 100kg/2,5m. A static load on the major axis of 20kN/3min also conforms. The opening of the USBasic Connector became after this test 6,90mm. The Ropes Course System, cable holder and rope has been loaded with 10kN, which held without problems. The toothed endclamps were tensioned to your instructions and loaded untill breaking point. Here the breaking value of the rope was 47,713 kn, which with a security factor according to EN of 3 and a system load limitation according to EN of 5kN, results in a slope angle of 10,87, which has to be respected. This is a ropes slope of 12,07%" IN CLEARTEXT: The USBasic Connector withstands 20kN. The USBasic Cable Holder withstands more than 45kN. The test result was that the 10mm stainless steel rope broke in the test. #5.TÜV Sud Tec Measurement Results: can be found at the bottom of this document. #6.Conclusion A USBasic Cable Connection is stronger than its lifeline. We honestly challenge every competing ropes course system to achieve this in the same way. We are sure many surprises will surface. Pagina 4

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