PETZL FREINO Z RL Locking Carabiners Instruction Manual

: June 12, 2024
: PETZL

PETZL FREINO Z RL Locking Carabiners

PETZL-FREINO-Z-RL-Locking-Carabiners-product

Product Information

The FREINO Z RL (TWIST-LOCK) / FREINO Z TL (TRIACT-LOCK) is a personal protective equipment (PPE) used for fall protection from height. It is designed for activities that involve a risk of falls from height. The carabiner is auto-locking and features a braking spur for adding friction on rope descents. The product is made of aluminum and meets the safety standards EN 362: 2004 class B (basic) and EN 12275: 2013 class B (basic).

Product Usage Instructions

Before using this equipment, read and understand all Instructions for Use.
Get specific training in the proper use of the FREINO Z carabiner.
Become acquainted with the capabilities and limitations of the carabiner.
Understand and accept the risks involved in using the carabiner.
Inspect the carabiner before each use:
- Check for cracks, deformation, corrosion, or wear on the frame, rivet, gate, locking sleeve, and braking spur.
- Verify that the gate and wire gate open and close automatically and completely.
- Ensure that the Keylock hole is not blocked or plugged.
- Check that the locking sleeve locks and unlocks properly.
During use, position the carabiner correctly:
- Load the carabiner on the major axis with the gate closed for maximum strength.
- Avoid loading the carabiner on the minor axis or with the gate open as it can reduce its strength.
- Do not use the braking part to attach a person to a belay system or any other system.
The carabiner must always be used with the gate closed and the sleeve locked. For auto-locking carabiners, ensure that it is completely locked each time you close it.
Refer to the diagrams for proper installation of the FREINO Z carabiner.
Retire your equipment when it shows signs of cracks, deformation, corrosion, wear, or if it no longer functions properly.

Warning
Activities involving the use of this equipment are inherently dangerous. You are responsible for your own actions and decisions.

Before using this equipment, you must:

Read and understand all Instructions for Use.
Get specific training in its proper use.
Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
Understand and accept the risks involved.

FAILURE TO HEED ANY OF THESE WARNINGS MAY RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.

These instructions explain how to correctly use your equipment. Only certain techniques and uses are described. The warning symbols inform you of some potential dangers related to the use of your equipment, but it is impossible to describe them all. Check Petzl.com for updates and additional information. You are responsible for heeding each warning and using your equipment correctly. Any misuse of this equipment will create additional dangers. Contact Petzl if you have any doubts or difficulty understanding these instructions.

Field of application

Personal protective equipment (PPE) used for fall protection from height. EN 362: 2004 class B (basic), EN 12275: 2013 class B (basic).

FREINO Z:
auto-locking carabiner (TL, RL) with spur for adding friction on rope descents, designed for activities presenting a risk of falls from height. This product must not be pushed beyond its limits, nor be used for any purpose other than that for which it is designed.

Responsibility

WARNING
Activities involving the use of this equipment are inherently dangerous. You are responsible for your own actions, decisions and safety.

Before using this equipment, you must:

Read and understand all Instructions for Use.
Get specific training in its proper use.
Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
Understand and accept the risks involved.

Failure to heed any of these warnings may result in severe injury or death.
This product must only be used by competent and responsible persons, or those placed under the direct and visual control of a competent and responsible person. You are responsible for your actions, your decisions and your safety and you assume the consequences of same. If you are not able, or not in a position to assume this responsibility, or if you do not fully understand the Instructions for Use, do not use this equipment.

Nomenclature

Frame
Gate
Rivet
Locking sleeve
Keylock
Braking spur
Wire gate
Carabiner part
Braking part.

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Principal materials: aluminum.

Inspection, points to verify

Your safety depends upon the integrity of your equipment. Petzl recommends a detailed inspection by a competent person at least once every 12 months (depending on current regulations in your country, and your conditions of usage).

WARNING:
your intensity of use may cause you to inspect your PPE more frequently.

Follow the procedures described at Petzl.com. Record the results on your PPE inspection form: type, model, manufacturer contact info, serial number or individual number, dates: manufacture, purchase, first use, next periodic inspection; problems, comments, inspector’s name and signature.

Before each use

Verify the absence of any cracks, deformation, corrosion or wear on the frame, rivet, gate, locking sleeve and braking spur. Verify that the gate and the wire gate will open, and that they close automatically and completely. The Keylock hole must not be blocked or plugged.
Check that the locking sleeve locks and unlocks.

During use

Verify that the carabiner is always loaded on the major axis.
Regularly check that the locking sleeve is locked. Avoid any pressure or rubbing that could unlock the gate or damage the locking sleeve.
Warning: the TWIST-LOCK locking mechanism can quickly unlock itself due to rubbing (e.g. from a rope).
It is important to regularly monitor the condition of the product and its connections to the other equipment in the system. Make sure that all items of equipment are correctly positioned with respect to each other.

Compatibility

Verify that this product is compatible with the other elements of the system in your application (compatible = good functional interaction).
Equipment used with your connector must meet current standards in your country (e.g. EN 354 lanyard for work).
The FREINO Z is designed for descenders having an oblong attachment hole, or one large enough to allow the FREINO Z to be rotated when attached.
The FREINO Z can be used with other descenders, without being rotated, but the braking action and ease of use will be impaired.

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Strength and dimensions

The strength ratings relate to the carabiner part of the FREINO Z. The braking part is designed for ropes up to 12 mm in diameter and can hold two 11 mm ropes, e.g. for tying off a STOP or SIMPLE.

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Carabiner positioning

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A carabiner is not indestructible.
A carabiner is strongest when loaded on the major axis, with the gate closed. Loading a carabiner in any other way (e.g. on the minor axis or with the gate open) is dangerous and can reduce its strength.

Warning:
The braking part must not be used to attach a person to a belay system or to any other system.

For more information, see the Technical tips for connectors at Petzl.com.

Opening/closing

The carabiner must be used with the gate closed and the sleeve locked. For an auto-locking carabiner, check each time you close it to ensure it is completely locked.

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Installing the FREINO Z

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Additional Information

This product meets the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment. The EU declaration of conformity is available at Petzl.com.

In a fall-arrest system, the length of the connector affects the fall distance.
You must have a rescue plan and the means to rapidly implement it in case of difficulties encountered while using this equipment.
The anchor point for the system should preferably be located above the user’s position and should meet the requirements of the EN 795 standard (12 kN minimum strength).
In a fall-arrest system, it is essential to check the required clearance below the user before each use, in order to avoid hitting the ground or an obstacle in case of a fall.
Make sure that the anchor point is correctly positioned, in order to limit the risk and the length of a fall.
A fall-arrest harness is the only device allowable for supporting the body in a fall-arrest system.
When using multiple items of equipment, a dangerous situation can arise in which the safety function of an item of equipment can be affected by the safety function of another item of equipment.
WARNING – DANGER: ensure that your products do not rub against abrasive or sharp surfaces.
Users must be medically fit for activities at height. WARNING: inert suspension in a harness can result in serious injury or death.
The Instructions for Use for each item of equipment used in conjunction with this product must be followed.
The Instructions for Use must be provided to the user of this equipment, in the language of the country where the equipment is used.
Make sure the markings on the product are legible.

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When to retire your equipment:

WARNING:
an exceptional event can lead you to retire a product after only one use, depending on the type and intensity of usage and the environment of usage (harsh environments, marine environments, sharp edges, extreme temperatures, chemicals…).

A product must be retired when:

It has exceeded its lifespan.
It has been subjected to a major fall or load.
It fails to pass inspection. You have any doubt as to its reliability.
You do not know its full usage history.
When it becomes obsolete due to changes in legislation, standards, technique or incompatibility with other equipment.

Destroy these products to prevent further use.

Icons:

A. Unlimited lifespan
B. Acceptable temperatures
C. Usage precautions
D. Cleaning
E. Drying
F. Storage/transport
G. Maintenance
H. Modifications/repairs (prohibited outside of Petzl facilities, except replacement parts)
I. Questions/contact

3-year guarantee

Against any material or manufacturing defect. Exclusions: normal wear and tear, oxidation, modifications or alterations, incorrect storage, poor maintenance, negligence, uses for which this product is not designed.

Warning symbols

Situation presenting an imminent risk of serious injury or death.
Exposure to a potential risk of accident or injury.
Important information on the functioning or performance of your product.
Equipment incompatibility.

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Traceability and markings

a. Meets PPE regulatory requirements. Notified body performing the EU type examination
b. Number of the notified body responsible for the production control of this PPE
c. Traceability: datamatrix
d. Strength
e. Serial number
f. Year of manufacture
g. Day of manufacture
h. Control or name of inspector
i. Incrementation
j. Standards
k. Read the Instructions for Use carefully
l. Model identification
m. Class B (basic) $PETZL-FREINO-Z-RL-Locking-Carabiners-fig- $9$$

CERTIFICATION

NFPA CERTIFICATION
CARABINER AND SNAP LINK USER INFORMATION. THESE CONNECTORS MEETS THE CARABINER REQUIREMENTS OF NFPA 1983, INCORPORATED IN THE 2022 EDITION OF NFPA 2500.

CERTIFICATION NFPA
INFORMATION AUX UTILISATEURS POUR LES CONNECTEURS. CES CONNECTEURS SONT CONFORMES AUX EXIGENCES DE LA NORME NFPA 1983, RÉPOND AUX EXIGENCES NFPA 1983, DE L’EDITION 2022 DE LA NFPA 2500.

T (TECHNICAL USE) MEETS NFPA 2500 (1983) – 2022

FREINO Z TL – MBS 23 kN
FREINO Z RL – MBS 23 kN

After removing the Instructions for Use from the equipment, make a copy of it and keep the original as part of a permanent record that includes the usage and inspection history for the equipment. Keep the copy of the Instructions for Use with the equipment and refer to it before and after each use. Additional information regarding auxiliary equipment can be found in NFPA 1500 and NFPA 1858 and NFPA 1983, incorporated in the 2022 edition of NFPA 2500.

UK CA 0120
This product is compliant with the Regulation 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment as brought into UK law and amended

Approved body performing the UKCA type examination and the production control of this PPE.

SGS United Kingdom Ltd
Inward Way Rossmore Business Park Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 3EN United Kingdom N° 0120.

Authorized Representative in UK: PETZL
UK Agency. Unit 3-7, Tebay Business Park, Old Tebay, Penrith, CA10 3SS, United Kingdom.