B-Safe Arresto Inertia Reel, 3.5 m Webbing (BPWSW3.5(SE))

The B-Safe Arresto inertia reel is a self retracting fall arrest device with a hard plastic casing, a swivel anchorage with fall indicator and a swivel snap hook. This listing carries eight codes: cable reels BPSSW05(SE) (5 m), BPSSW10(SE) (10 m), BPSSW15 (15 m), BPSSW20 (20 m) and BPSSW30 (30 m), and webbing reels BPWSW3.5(SE) (3.5 m), BPWSW7.5(SE) (7.5 m) and BPWSW12 (12 m) (manufacturer-stated). B-Safe says they are made and tested to EN 360:2002 to arrest a worker in a fall and limit the forces on the worker and the anchorage (manufacturer-stated).

B-Safe publishes data sheets for BPSSW15, BPSSW20, BPSSW30 and BPWSW12 only. They give 4.5 mm galvanised wire cable with a 15.3 kN breaking strength for the cable reels, and 25 mm polyester webbing with a 20 kN breaking strength for the webbing reel, with a snap hook of 16 kN gate strength and a 20 mm gate opening. B-Safe's catalogue lists a 22 kN snap hook and gives 5 mm cable for some lengths, so ask AIMS to confirm the details for the code you need (manufacturer-stated).

B-Safe's catalogue shows a built in energy absorber on BPSSW10(SE) and BPWSW7.5(SE), and its data sheets say BPSSW15, BPSSW20, BPSSW30 and BPWSW12 are fitted with an internal energy absorbing device. B-Safe does not say whether the 3.5 m and 5 m reels have one (manufacturer-stated).

The data sheets say the reels without the (SE) suffix are not suitable where a fall over an edge is possible or where the reel is connected at foot level. B-Safe's manual says reels with the suffix (SE) have been tested at 100 kg for horizontal use simulating a fall over an edge, within conditions that include a risk assessment of the edge, protection against sharp edges, a limit on swing fall and a rescue plan (manufacturer-stated).

B-Safe's manual gives a capacity (working load limit) of 140 kg and a working temperature range of -30 to +50 degrees C, and says it requires servicing by a height safety equipment inspector as the manufacturer recommends, to a maximum of 5 yearly under AS/NZS 1891.4, or 12 monthly in the absence of a recommendation. Servicing may be 3 yearly only if the conditions in the manual are met and visual inspections are recorded every six months (manufacturer-stated).

B-Safe's manual gives the foot clearance needed below an inertia reel as total fall plus 1000 mm, where the total fall (free fall, activation and deceleration, 1.4 m maximum) has 250 mm added for harness stretch and slide (manufacturer-stated). Confirm the clearance for your own job before you choose a reel.

B-Safe's technical guide says to inspect fall protection equipment before each use, to check the date of manufacture and the remove from service date on the label, and to take any equipment that has been used to arrest a fall out of use and return it to the supplier for inspection and certification, or destroy it (manufacturer-stated).

Fall protection equipment must be selected, installed, used, inspected and maintained by trained people in line with the manufacturer's instructions and the relevant Australian Standards. Ask AIMS for the instructions and test certificates before you order, and never use it for any purpose other than the one it was made for.

Where this product is used

• Fall arrest on high-rise buildings, roofs and other fall hazard areas (manufacturer-stated)
• Confined spaces, scaffolding, ladder climbing, bus tops and shafts, listed in B-Safe's manual as possible applications (manufacturer-stated)

Features

• Eight lengths: 5 m to 30 m cable and 3.5 m to 12 m webbing (manufacturer-stated)
• Swivel anchorage with fall indicator and an ANSI swivel snap hook (manufacturer-stated)
• Robust plastic casing (manufacturer-stated)
• Static strength test of 15 kN for 3 minutes, and a dynamic test with a 100 kg mass in a 600 mm free fall with a breaking force below 6 kN (manufacturer-stated)
• (SE) codes tested for edge use at 100 kg, within B-Safe's conditions (manufacturer-stated)

Common specifications

Key specifications

Figures are from the B-Safe data sheets for BPSSW15, BPSSW20, BPSSW30 and BPWSW12 (version 1, issue Mar 2018), the Arresto inertia reel manual and the B-Safe catalogue. Weights are from the AIMS record.

Selecting the right option

Choose the length to suit the working range, and pick an (SE) reel only if you have a documented edge risk assessment that fits B-Safe's conditions. Connect it to a full body harness that has a fall arrest attachment point, and to an anchorage that can take the load. B-Safe's technical guide says an anchorage for free fall arrest must withstand a minimum of 15 kN for one person and 21 kN for two (manufacturer-stated). For a retrieval reel with a winch, see the Arresto retrieval inertia reel page.

Related products

Other B-Safe fall protection: the Arresto retrieval inertia reel, the Arresto-Lite mini self retracting lifeline, the self retracting lanyard and the basic fall arrest harness. A reel is one part of a system, so check every item before you order.