FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the Limpet™?
It is a unique, multi-functional, height safety system that protects people against falls from height and safeguards them working, accessing and escaping high structures. The system incorporates five safety functions: fall prevention, Intelligent Climb Assist™, rescue, evacuation and work positioning in one integrated system.
2. How does the Limpet™ work?
The system continuously and automatically senses and reacts to any movement the user makes. As the user climbs, the system automatically takes in rope, aiding the user with their ascent. When the user stops or rests on the rope, the machine also stops, allowing no downward progress unless instructed by the user to do so.
3. Why is the Limpet™ different from other systems?
The Limpet™ addresses a number of height safety issues in one single, integrated system incorporating fall prevention, climb assist, rescue and evacuation functionality. Most competing systems focus on only one area of functionality.
4. Can the Limpet™ be used outdoors?
The system is designed to be used outdoors and is rated IP56.
5. What height can the Limpet™ work to?
The Limpet™ is not restricted in the height it can be used from. The current Limpet™ specification normally works up to 120m. However, should a customer require more height, this can be accommodated.
6. Does the Limpet™ have a minimum or maximum user weight?
The system is not affected by user weight. It will perform happily with users of widely differing weights using the system without any resetting of parameters. The Limpet™ is certified for a maximum user weight, in normal circumstances, of 140kg (this may be exceeded in emergency circumstances - see technical specifications). Minimum user weight is 40kg.
7. What is the minimum temperature that the Limpet™ has been tested to?
The Limpet™ system has been tested to -30°c. Standard configuration would include a UPS to -15°c.
8. How effective is the Limpet™?
The Limpet™ system's response time is instant. As soon as the user moves the system reacts. It will react to millimetre movements by the operator. The system will catch a fall with no significant drop, other than stretch in the rope and harness. The Limpet™ is the only device of its kind that would prevent you hitting the floor if you were to fall over whilst standing on that floor.
9. What type of rope does the Limpet™ system use and how can it be replaced?
The Limpet system includes an extremely strong safety line that includes an aramid fibre sheath. Replacement of the safety line is straightforward and does not require splicing - attachment is by means of a high tensile bolt.
10. Does the Limpet™ operate automatically or does it require manual input?
Once set up, the system requires no active input from the operator. Once attached to the safety line, the system will automatically move with the user. If required, for example in a rescue situation, the automatic function can be overridden by the operator using the RF interface, wired remote or instrument control panel.
11. What happens if I slip or fall?
The Limpet™ system responds instantly by preventing the fall. The Limpet™ responds depending on what it has been set up to do. In the event of a fall the system's natural state is 'locked' so the fall will immediately be prevented. At this point the machine set up will determine what happens next. The user can either be lowered immediately at a safe rate down to the floor, be 'held' until they pull back onto the structure and starts to climb up or down again, be 'held' until the machine is instructed to lower using the RF remote or other remote, be 'caught' and 'held' for a prescribed time before lowering or 'caught' and 'held' until instructed to carry on ascending. The required set up will be determined by the user's own requirements and the environment they are working in. This represents ultimate flexibility for users.
12. How does the Intelligent Climb Assist™ function work?
ICA™ (Intelligent Climb Assist™) is designed to offer an amount of assistance relative to the user's bodyweight and not as a predefined set weight. The system cannot be used without calibrating itself for a user's weight. As this calibration is repeated after every stop, it prevents a second user from taking over the system with the wrong climb assist value set and also stops a user from becoming overpowered by the assist facility. Calibration takes a few seconds and is simple, intuitive and does not affect operational efficiency.
13. What happens if a user becomes unconscious or incapacitated whilst using the Limpet™?
If a user becomes unconscious or incapacitated, the Limpet™ will instantly react to prevent any fall from occurring. If the user is conscious and able, they can use the RF controls to lower themselves safely to the ground. If unable to do so, the machine can be controlled remotely by a rescuer from the ground or alongside the injured party.
14. What happens if a user needs to quickly evacuate from height? Can the Limpet™ help them?
In the event of an emergency, the Limpet™ provides a built-in evacuation system, providing users with a quick, controlled and immediate evacuation option.
15. What safety factors are designed into the Limpet™?
The Limpet™ is static load tested to a safety factor of 15 x maximum user weight.
16. How is the Limpet™ monitored?
The Limpet™ incorporates a full, critical safety monitoring control function, with all elements of the Limpet™ continuously monitored for normal, safe functioning. The Limpet™ is also designed to interface with external control or monitoring systems (ie. SCADA systems) for remote monitoring of Limpet™ status and maintenance information.
17. How reliable is the Limpet™?
The system has been in continuous development and testing with its CE certified MK 1 test machines for over four years with no reliability issues. It incorporates critical component redundancy, is fault tolerant and is designed to fail to safe.
18. What happens if there is a power failure?
The Limpet™ control system is configured to integrate a range of UPS back-ups depending on an operator's back-up power requirements. The UPS is constantly monitored by the control system. In the event of it being utilised, the control system will sound a warning on the control device and enter a 'limp home' mode disabling advanced functionality such as ICA™ to indicate to the user to return to the ground. The minimum UPS power will lower users to the ground from any turbine nacelle up to four times. This UPS capacity or temperature specification may be up-rated as required.
19. How often does the Limpet™ require servicing and inspection?
The system requires far less servicing than competing active systems, reducing operating costs significantly. The Limpet™ should be inspected and maintained in accordance with the machine's Operating Manual with machine services carried out annually and inspected every six months where they fall under LOLER regulations.
20. Do you require specialist training to use the Limpet™?
Training times on the system can be very short depending on the user's requirement. Generally, an advanced user requires a short training course which allows them to maintain the machine and effect rescues. A normal user only requires a basic 10 minute briefing which is conducted by an advanced user.
21. How do I experience the Limpet™?
With prior arrangement, Limpet Technology can facilitate demonstrations of all of its safety systems. Please visit our contact us page for more details.
