A fall arrest anchor point is the element to which a worker at height connects their personal protective equipment: harness, energy absorber and connector. Choosing and installing it correctly is what ensures that, in the event of a fall, the system holds the person without the anchor or the structure failing. This guide summarises the essentials of EN 795:2012 and how to choose the right anchor for each substrate.
What EN 795:2012 requires
The European standard EN 795 defines the requirements, test methods and marking of anchor devices intended for a single user. It classifies them into five types:
- Type A: fixed structural anchors (plates, eyebolts, bolts) fixed to the structure. This is the type of the PA-10 and PAD-20 anchor points.
- Type B: transportable temporary anchors (slings, tripods).
- Type C: flexible horizontal anchor lines (cable lifelines).
- Type D: rigid horizontal anchor lines (rails).
- Type E: deadweight anchors.
For a Type A anchor the standard requires, among other things, a minimum static strength of 12 kN held for 3 minutes, a dynamic test with a 100 kg mass and a 2.5 m fall, and permanent marking with the manufacturer's reference, the standard, the maximum number of users and the "read the instructions" pictogram. When the device is intended for several simultaneous users, the technical specification CEN/TS 16415:2013 also applies, increasing the test loads according to the number of people.
CE marking and certificate of conformity
A fixed anchor permanently installed in the structure is not considered PPE under Regulation (EU) 2016/425; nevertheless, serious manufacturers test and certify their anchors with a notified body to prove they meet EN 795. At Tecton Safety, the PA-10 and PAD-20 anchor points hold a certificate of conformity issued by Quintin Certifications (COFRAC accreditation no. 1-6779), downloadable from each product page. Always ask for the certificate: it is the only proof that the anchor has passed the tests in the standard.
Fixed anchor or energy-absorbing anchor
The PA-10 is a rigid anchor for up to 3 users (EN 795 Type A + CEN/TS 16415) with a breaking load above 15 kN. It transmits the full force of the fall to the structure, so it needs a substrate able to withstand more than 15 kN.
The PAD-20 is a deformable anchor for 1 user: it incorporates a system that absorbs the energy of the fall by converting it into controlled deformation of the material. It reduces the peak force transmitted to the user and the structure, which makes it ideal for less robust substrates or when you want to limit the load on the fixing. After arresting a fall it must be withdrawn from service.
Choosing the anchor for the substrate
| Substrate | Tecton solution | Fixing |
|---|---|---|
| Non-cracked reinforced concrete (≥ C30/35) | PA-10 or PAD-20 direct | 1 M12 anchor (mechanical, threaded or chemical) > 15 kN |
| Brick wall or lower-strength concrete | PA-10 / PAD-20 + SDM-10 base | 2 M10/M12 anchors 140-180 mm apart |
| Steel structure (thickness ≥ 6 mm) | PA-10 / PAD-20 direct | M12 A2-70 through bolt with lock nut |
| Profiled sheet or sandwich panel (steel skin > 0.5 mm) | PA-10 / PAD-20 + SDC-65 base | 12 aluminium tri-fold rivets, without accessing the structure |
| Clay tile roof with concrete slab | PA-10 / PAD-20 + SDT-100 base | 3 M12 chemical anchors with mesh sleeves into the slab (≥ 120 mm) |
In every case the installer must check that the combined strength of the fixing exceeds 15 kN; we recommend a pull-out test before commissioning. You will find the step-by-step procedure and the PDF drawings in our installation instructions.
Inspection and service life
EN 365 requires a visual inspection before each use and a periodic inspection, at least annually, by a competent person. Check for deformation, corrosion or cracks, the tightness of the fixing and the legibility of the marking. The maximum service life of Tecton anchors is 25 years from the manufacturing date engraved on the part. An anchor that has arrested a fall must be replaced.
Summary
- Insist on anchors compliant with EN 795:2012 Type A with a certificate from a notified body.
- Choose the PA-10 for several users on robust structures and the PAD-20 when you want to limit the transmitted load.
- Adapt the fixing to the substrate with the SDM-10, SDC-65 or SDT-100 bases.
- Verify the strength of the fixing (> 15 kN) and record the serial number of every installed unit.
Questions about your installation? Ask our technical team: we manufacture in Spain and reply in Spanish and English.