Product Presentation

Currently, Pro-Bel Enterprises Limited is celebrating over 4000 building projects utilizing Pro-Bel Window Cleaning/Suspended Maintenance Equipment and Fall Protection Systems.

Pro-Bel has acquired a reputation as a highly qualified authority for any organization contemplating a specialized approach to suspended access equipment requirements. Building owners and design professionals can have confidence that when they select a Pro-Bel system, they are choosing a system designed and manufactured by industry experts while obtaining single source compatibility and single source responsibility.
Uses and Applications

Generally, Pro-Bel window cleaning/suspended access equipment and fall protection systems are recommended for all buildings three storeys and higher where windows or building facades are accessed and maintained from the roof using suspended bosun’s chair, single work cage, or platform. In addition to window cleaning applications, Pro-Bel products are recommended for:

• The facade maintenance of most building, which require at least tie-back and lifeline anchors (used interchangeably for the tie-back of conventional equipment, securing of lifelines and the direct rigging of descent controlled bosun’s chair);

• Instances where conventional equipment supplied by the maintenance contractor is not practical (unsuitable set-up, takes too long to rig, unsafe, etc);

• Overhangs, where it is difficult to reach facades (can be serviced using monorails and/or rigging sleeves);

• Sloped roofs, which create unique access requirements (can be serviced using a combination of horizontal cable/rail travel restraint system and primary equipment e.g. anchors, davits, and/or outriggers);

• Roofing or any roof maintenance where workers are working without the protection of a regulation 42” (1067 mm) high guard rail or parapet;

• Terraces (anchorages can be recessed below terrace surface);

• Atriums, where access to and suspension from the highest point of the atrium is required. Monorails, gantries, and/or rigging sleeves are typically used;

• Construction, restoration, cleaning, glass replacement, sandblasting, caulking, or pointing;

• Fall protection for ladder work where personnel (using full body harness and lanyard) are working at a height of 10’-0” (3 m) or more above ground or on a roof or other elevated work area;

• Interior or exterior industrial applications e.g. servicing security cameras, lighting, flagpole, overhead crane, wherever maintenance personnel are exposed to falls from elevation;

• New construction or retrofit.

Highrise safety is primarily a design issue, not an equipment selection issue alone. There is not a building that cannot (and should not) be properly and safely rigged. However, before detailing any equipment, architects and other roof designers need to be advised as to how the building will be rigged. This must be done on a project-to-project basis.

The selection of suspended access equipment is a performance oriented and highly specialized area requiring expertise in rigging methods, safety issues, OSHA Standards/State Codes, and structural engineering including testing and certification, all supported by specific liability insurance (products and completed operations) covering failure of primary suspension equipment and safety anchors. Companies such as miscellaneous metal fabricators, who are not normally engaged in the design and manufacture of window cleaning/suspended maintenance equipment should not be permitted to bid on projects, for both safety and liability reasons.

Product in Place

Refer to Pro-Bel technical manual for architectural details for all Pro-Bel products and systems.
Assembly and Installation

Due to liability issues, Pro-Bel window cleaning/suspended maintenance systems are installed either under “Sole Responsibility Contracts” or furnished only with installation by others utilizing a strictly controlled sign-off and certification procedure.

An important consideration in the design of Pro-Bel anchor products is the need to maintain the long term watertight integrity of the building. Pro-Bel products are designed with a full understanding of  reliable flashing/sealing techniques to satisfy virtually any roof condition.
Components and Parts

Pro-Bel provides architects, roof designers and building owners with complete systems from concept to the manufacture, furnishing and installation of the following:

Fall Arrest/Restraint Systems

• Safety & Tie-Back Anchors;
• Horizontal Cable Lifeline Systems;
• Horizontal Rail Lifeline Systems.

• Direct-to-Safety Anchor Rigging Systems;
• Davit Systems;
• Outrigger Beam Systems;
• Monorail & Gantry Systems;
• Rigging Sleeve Systems.

• Permanent Powered Platforms, Single Work Cages, and Track Mounted Roof Car Systems.

Pro-Bel provides complete primary suspension and fall protection products/systems from concept to the supply and installation of same, including annual inspection.

Materials and Finishes

Pro-Bel products are fabricated using all corrosion resistant materials. Components are stainless steel, aluminum and hot dipped galvanized steel.

In addition to mill and anodized finishes or galvanized finish, exterior aluminum or steel monorails are available with polyester or polyurethane powder coated baked enamel paint finish color as selected from manufacturer’s standard colors, or custom color if desired; interior aluminum or steel paint finishes are offered in epoxy or hybrid powder coated finish, or alternatively may be enamel painted on site.
Technical Support

To be efficient, economical and practical, it is imperative that architects and engineers understand the relative complexity of designing window cleaning systems with regard to the following three areas: RIGGING METHODS – SAFETY – LABOR STANDARDS/BUILDING CODES.

The selection of window cleaning equipment is a performance oriented and highly specialized area. Also the issues of fall protection and fall arrest are serious concerns with department of labor inspection authorities. Interpreting the myriad labor standards, including the separate requirements of various jurisdictions, and proposed changes, is a daunting task at best.

Each building is different, requiring an individual technical approach and a time commitment beyond the scope of most professional offices. Even with a high degree of knowledge and the best of intentions, the planning process can go askew. It is for these reasons that Pro-Bel provides architects and engineers with a FREE DESIGN SERVICE, to ensure that Pro-Bel Window Cleaning/Suspended Maintenance Systems are properly specified and installed.

Specification Note: Individual Pro-Bel product brochures include their own proprietary 3-Part Specification. In addition, a Master Specification is available which incorporates all Pro-Bel products in one document and has been prepared to CSI/CSC standards. These specifications are also provided at the end of this document. Master Specifications are useful for larger projects employing a multiplicity of Pro-Bel products and systems.

See “Availability and Costs”

Codes and Certifications

All Pro-Bel manufactured and/or furnished safety anchors and equipment conforms to:

United States

1. Federal OSHA standards 1910.21 Subpart D (Walking - Working Surfaces); 1910.66, Subpart F (Powered Platforms for building maintenance); Appendix C to 1910.66, Personal Fall Arrest System (Section I - Mandatory); and 1926.50 Subpart M (Fall Protection).

2. U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA) Memorandum (March 12, 1991) to Regional Administrators for Descent Control Devices, by Patricia K. Clark Director, Directorate of Compliance Programs.

3. California OSHA Code of Regulations, Title 8 - Industrial Regulations, Article 5 Window Cleaning), Article 6 (Powered Platforms for Exterior Building Maintenance), and Appendix C to Article 6 (Personal Fall Arrest System).

4. New York State Regulations:

a. Department of Labor Advisory Standard 101 - Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Suspended Scaffolds Used for Window Cleaning and Light Maintenance.
b. Advisory Standard 111 - Hoisting Machines Used for Suspended Scaffolds. Department of Labor Industrial Code Rule 21 - Protection of Persons Employed at
c. Window Cleaning - Structural Requirements, Equipment and Procedures.

6. ANSI/IWCA I-14.1 Window Cleaning Safety.

7. Proposed ASME/ANSI A41.1 Safety Standard for Manual Methods of Building Access.

8. AISC publication: “Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification for Structural Steel Buildings”, the AISI publication: “Specification for Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members (1986 & 1989 Addendum)” and the Aluminum Association publication: “Specification for Aluminum Structures”.

9. AWS D1.1 “Structural Welding Code—Steel”.

10. Aluminum Association publication No.30: “Specification for Aluminum Structures”, and with AWS S1.2-90 “Structural Welding Code — Aluminum”.

Canada

1. CAN/CSA-Z271-98 Safety Code for Suspended Elevating Platforms and CAN/CSA-Z91-90 Safety Code for Window Cleaning Operations.

2. Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act Window Cleaning Regulation 859/90 as amended by 523/92, and 213/91 as amended by 631/94 (Construction Projects).

3. Ontario Building Code 1997, 4.1.10.8. Anchor Systems on Building Exterior — to be provided where any portion of the roof is more than 8 m (26’-3”) above adjacent ground level, for both maintenance and window cleaning operations.

4. Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia Industrial Health & Safety Regulations, Section 8, Places of Employment - General Requirements, and Section 74, Window Cleaning General Requirements.

5. Nova Scotia Department of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Act, Schedule “A” Fall Protection and Scaffolding Regulations.

International

1. European Standard EN 1808, Suspended Access Equipment.

2. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Chapter 37 (U.K.).

Warranty

Warranty is in accordance with standard Pro-Bel Warranty terms and conditions of sale. Copy of Warranty available upon request.

Specific Liability Insurance

All Pro-Bel equipment and installations automatically carry $2,000,000.00 coverage against product/system failure.

Availability and Cost

Pro-Bel window cleaning/suspended maintenance safety systems are available throughout the United States, Canada and Internationally.

Budget pricing is provided on a project-to-project basis for both materials and installation, or materials only.

Pro-Bel Enterprises Limited provides a complete technical consultation service, available to Architects, Consultants, Engineers, Contractors, Property Managers and Building Owners. Without obligation, Pro-Bel will provide interested parties with a proposed window cleaning/suspended maintenance design concept to OSHA or CSA requirements, including anchor and equipment locations, securement,  roofing details, and specifications.

Simply provide the following information:

• Roof  plans (architectural and structural);
• Building elevations;
• Typical floor plans;
• Building section drawings showing all parapet walls or roof edge conditions and mechanical room walls and similar details;
• Any other drawings and/or photographs pertinent to window cleaning/suspended maintenance requirements.

Maintenance and Inspection

Labor authorities such as OSHA in the U.S. and the respective departments of labour in Canada require that window washing/suspended maintenance equipment that is supplied and installed must be inspected annually as a minimum requirement.

Pro-Bel offers owners/employers a variety of flexible inspection options. Inspections may be carried out using a Pro-Bel inspector, an independent engineer or the owner’s/employer’s own work forces. Regardless of option selected, Pro-Bel maintains up-to-date inspection records of all Pro-Bel manufactured equipment/installations. All data is recorded in the building owner’s/employer’s Equipment Manual & Inspection Log Book. The Log Book containing the necessary information to comply with all relevant State, Provincial and Federal safety standards, will reduce both the design professional’s and owner’s legal exposure in the event of an accident. Special Note: Pro-Bel customers automatically receive $2,000,000.00 liability insurance coverage providing the foregoing conditions are met.

Pro-Bel Enterprises Limited
TORONTO (Head Office)
765 Westney Road South
Ajax, Ontario, Canada, L1S 6W1
Tel: (905) 427-0616
Fax: (905) 427-2545
E-mail: info@pro-bel.ca

VANCOUVER
Unit 103 – 350 East Kent Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V5X 4N6
Tel: (604) 687-1301
Fax: (604) 687-1306
E-mail: probel@direct.ca

NORTH AMERICA
TOLL FREE 1-800-461-0575
www.pro-bel.ca