1 Scope
NOTE This standard governs the permanently installed structural anchorage to which personal fall protection equipment attaches: anchor plates, clamps, embedded anchors, davit sockets, and horizontal lifeline rail and cable systems on roofs, parapets, and facades. (1.1)
NOTE The anchor is a building component delivered with the building; the harness, lanyard, self-retracting lifeline, and connector that clip to it are user equipment procured and maintained by the operating party and are outside this standard. (1.2)
NOTE Anchorage covered by this standard includes single-point anchors, multi-point engineered arrays, and permanently installed building maintenance unit (BMU) tie-back anchor arrays for both fall arrest and travel restraint duty. (1.3)
1.4Anchorage shall be designed, fabricated, installed, tested, marked, and certified in accordance with this standard and the referenced regulations and consensus standards.
1.5The anchorage system shall be designed by, or under the responsible charge of, a qualified person as defined by ANSI/ASSP Z359.6 where the system serves more than one user or incorporates a horizontal lifeline.
NOTE The following are excluded from this standard and are governed elsewhere. (1.6)
- Temporary guardrails, safety cables, and perimeter protection used only during active construction are governed by OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M and are covered under Temporary Facilities And Controls.
- The structural steel framing and miscellaneous metal that form the substrate to which anchors attach are covered by Miscellaneous Metals and Metal Fabrications.
- Stair rail systems and ladder safety cages on roof access routes are covered by Metal Stairs And Railings.
- Roof membrane, flashing, and deck penetration waterproofing at penetrating anchors are detailed under Membrane Roofing; this standard requires coordination with that work but does not specify the waterproofing itself.
- Portable, jobsite-temporary, sandbag-weighted, or otherwise non-permanent anchor devices that are removed at the end of construction are construction-phase procurement items, not permanent building components.
- Personal protective equipment (harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, and connectors) is user equipment and is not specified here.
2 Referenced Standards
2.1Equipment, materials, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of each of the following unless a specific edition is cited.
2.2Where referenced standards conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
| Standard |
Title |
| OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 |
Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices (Construction) |
| OSHA 29 CFR 1910.140 |
Personal Fall Protection Systems (General Industry) |
| ANSI/ASSP Z359.1-2024 |
The Fall Protection Code |
| ANSI/ASSP Z359.6-2016 |
Specifications and Design Requirements for Active Fall Protection Systems |
| ANSI/ASSP Z359.7-2021 |
Qualifications and Training of Rescuers for Active Fall Protection Systems |
| ANSI/ASSP Z359.18-2017 |
Safety Requirements for Anchorage Connectors for Active Fall Protection Systems |
| ANSI/ASSP A10.32-2012 |
Fall Protection Program Requirements for the Construction Industry |
| IBC 2021 |
International Building Code (Section 1607.9, Roof Live Loads) |
| ASCE/SEI 7-22 |
Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (Section 4.3.3, Concentrated Loads) |
| ASTM E488 |
Strength of Anchors in Concrete Elements |
| ICC-ES AC193 |
Acceptance Criteria for Mechanical Anchors in Concrete Elements |
| ICC-ES AC308 |
Acceptance Criteria for Post-Installed Adhesive Anchors in Concrete Elements |
| ASTM A123 |
Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products |
| ASTM A153 |
Zinc Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Steel Hardware |
| ASTM A276 |
Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes |
3 Submittals
3.1 Action Submittals
NOTE The Contractor shall submit the following action submittals for review before fabrication or installation: (3.1.1)
- Shop drawings showing each anchor location, type, mounting detail, and connection to the building structure
- A site anchorage layout plan keyed to roof and facade plans showing anchor spacing, travel paths, and required clearances
- Structural calculations for each anchor type and each substrate condition, sealed by a professional engineer licensed in the project jurisdiction
- Manufacturer product data for each anchor, clamp, davit socket, lifeline, energy absorber, and intermediate support
- Horizontal lifeline sag, deflection, and end-anchor load analysis sealed by a professional engineer
- Material and finish certifications for anchor bodies, fasteners, and lifeline components
- Penetration flashing details coordinated with the roofing manufacturer for all penetrating anchors
☐ Anchor location and connection shop drawings
☐ Site anchorage layout plan
☐ PE-sealed structural calculations
☐ Manufacturer product data
☐ PE-sealed HLL sag and end-anchor load analysis
☐ Material and finish certifications
☐ Penetration flashing coordination details
NOTE The Contractor shall submit the following informational submittals: (3.2.1)
- Qualified-person and competent-person credentials for the anchorage designer and installer
- Field installation and proof-test reports for each installed anchor
- Manufacturer installation instructions and published torque tables for clamp anchors
☐ Qualified-person and competent-person credentials
☐ Field installation and proof-test reports
☐ Manufacturer instructions and torque tables
3.3 Closeout Submittals
NOTE The Contractor shall submit the following closeout submittals before final acceptance: (3.3.1)
- A system certification letter, PE-sealed, stating rated capacity, user count, and intended duty for each anchor and lifeline
- An anchor register listing each anchor by tag, type, location, rated load, installation date, and re-certification due date
- A written inspection and re-certification program stating the inspection interval and the proof-load test interval
- Operation and maintenance manuals, including a rescue plan referencing anchor placement
- Photographs of each installed and marked anchor
☐ PE-sealed system certification letter
☐ Anchor register with tags and due dates
☐ Written inspection and re-certification program
☐ Operation and maintenance manuals with rescue plan
☐ Photographs of installed and marked anchors
4 Quality Assurance
4.1Anchorage that serves more than one simultaneous user, or that incorporates a horizontal lifeline, shall be designed under the responsible charge of a qualified person as defined by ANSI/ASSP Z359.6.
4.2The anchor manufacturer shall have produced fall protection anchorage of the specified type for not less than five years.
4.3The installer shall be trained and authorized by the anchor manufacturer for the specific anchor and lifeline systems installed.
4.4A competent person as defined by OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502 shall supervise field installation and witness proof testing.
NOTE A single-point anchor sized to the OSHA 5,000 lb prescriptive capacity may be selected from a manufacturer's rated catalog product without a project-specific PE seal on the anchor body, but the connection to the building structure still requires PE-sealed calculations. (4.4.1)
NOTE A PE-engineered system with a 2:1 safety factor over the maximum potential impact load is required, in place of the prescriptive 5,000 lb basis, whenever an anchor supports more than one user or terminates a horizontal lifeline. (4.4.2)
4.5Where the design uses the engineered-system basis, the system shall provide a safety factor of not less than 2.0 over the maximum potential impact load.
5 Structural Capacity Basis
NOTE The capacity basis is the single most important decision in anchorage design and shall be selected and stated explicitly for each anchor. (5.1)
NOTE The prescriptive basis rates each anchor at 5,000 lb (22.2 kN) per attached worker for personal fall arrest, per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15) and 29 CFR 1910.140; this is the default for single-user roof maintenance anchors. (5.1.1)
NOTE The engineered basis designs the complete system to a 2:1 safety factor over the maximum potential impact load and is mandatory for horizontal lifelines and multi-user anchors, per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15)(ii). (5.1.2)
NOTE A rated anchor is not a safe anchor unless the substrate can transfer the load: the deck, framing, or parapet must be confirmed by the structural engineer to carry the anchor pull-out and shear reactions, per IBC Section 1607.9 and ASCE/SEI 7-22 Section 4.3.3. (5.1.3)
5.2Each anchor used for personal fall arrest shall be rated for not less than 5,000 lb (22.2 kN) per attached worker, or be part of a PE-engineered system with a safety factor of not less than 2.0.
5.3Each anchor used for travel restraint or work positioning shall be rated for not less than 3,000 lb (13.3 kN), or twice the potential impact load, whichever is greater, per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(e)(2).
5.4A travel-restraint-only anchor rated below the arrest capacity shall be permanently marked "RESTRAINT ONLY" so it cannot be mistaken for an arrest anchor.
NOTE A restraint anchor that is clipped into beyond its restraint radius becomes an arrest anchor and can fail; marking and layout shall prevent this misuse. (5.4.1)
5.5The structural engineer of record shall confirm in writing that the supporting deck, framing, parapet, or concrete element carries the anchor reactions in both shear and tension.
● Prescriptive 5,000 lb per worker (single user)
○ PE-engineered system, 2:1 safety factor (multi-user or HLL)
● Fall arrest (PFAS)
○ Travel restraint
○ Work positioning
6 Fall Clearance and Anchor Geometry
NOTE Fall clearance and anchor height are geometric requirements; an anchor of correct rating placed too low still allows a ground strike. (6.1)
NOTE OSHA limits free fall to 6 ft (1.8 m) and deceleration distance to 3.5 ft (1.07 m) per 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(16); total required clearance for a typical arrest is on the order of 18.5 ft below the working surface. (6.1.1)
NOTE To stay within the free-fall limit the anchor should be located at or above the worker's dorsal D-ring, which for a standing worker is approximately 6 ft above the working surface. (6.1.2)
6.2Anchor elevation shall be set so that the worst-case free fall does not exceed 6 ft (1.8 m).
6.3The designer shall verify that available fall clearance below the working surface exceeds the sum of free fall, deceleration distance, worker height, and a safety margin of not less than 3 ft (0.9 m).
6.4Parapet sockets and davit mounts intended for vertical arrest use shall position the connection point at or above the worker's dorsal D-ring elevation.
7 Anchor Type Selection
NOTE The anchor type is driven by roof construction, deck material, and the waterproofing system; the choice between penetrating and non-penetrating anchorage is made first. (7.1)
NOTE Penetrating anchors (welded or bolted plates, embedded studs) give the most reliable load path but breach the roof membrane and require flashing and warranty coordination. (7.1.1)
NOTE Non-penetrating anchors (standing-seam clamps, parapet clamps, counterweight arrays) preserve the membrane but are profile-specific and weight- or geometry-limited. (7.1.2)
NOTE Single-point anchors suit a few fixed work positions; a horizontal lifeline is required wherever workers must travel laterally beyond the effective radius of a single anchor. (7.1.3)
7.2The anchor type shall be selected for compatibility with the actual roof profile, deck material, and slope at each location.
7.3Where a task requires lateral travel beyond the effective radius of a single-point anchor, a horizontal lifeline or a multi-anchor layout shall be provided.
7.4Each anchor shall be rated for every load direction it will see; an anchor used to terminate a horizontal lifeline shall be rated for horizontal load, not vertical load alone.
● Penetrating (welded or bolted plate)
○ Penetrating (embedded concrete or masonry anchor)
○ Non-penetrating (standing-seam clamp)
○ Non-penetrating (parapet clamp)
○ Non-penetrating (counterweight / deadweight array)
● Single-point anchor
○ Multi-point engineered anchor array
○ Horizontal lifeline (cable)
○ Horizontal lifeline (rigid rail)
☐ Vertical (arrest)
☐ Horizontal (restraint / HLL termination)
8 Single-Point and Embedded Anchors
NOTE Single-point anchors are the workhorse of roof maintenance anchorage; embedded anchors extend the same principle into concrete and masonry parapets and decks. (8.1)
NOTE A penetrating roof anchor plate is welded or through-bolted to a structural deck member and carries a single D-ring or swivel eye rated for 5,000 lb. (8.1.1)
NOTE A concrete or masonry embedded anchor is a cast-in-place or post-installed threaded stud; post-installed anchors must carry an ICC-ES evaluation report for the specific system and substrate. (8.1.2)
8.2Welded anchor plates shall be welded by a certified welder to the structural member, not to deck sheeting alone.
8.3Through-bolted anchor plates shall bear on the structural member with washers and locknuts sized in the PE calculations.
8.4Post-installed concrete and masonry anchors shall be installed only where covered by a current ICC-ES evaluation report.
8.5Embedment depth for post-installed concrete and masonry anchors shall follow the applicable ICC-ES evaluation report.
8.6Adhesive (epoxy) anchors shall be installed within the temperature, hole-cleaning, and cure requirements of the evaluation report.
8.7Each penetrating roof anchor shall be flashed and sealed per the roofing manufacturer's penetration detail to preserve the roof warranty, coordinated with Membrane Roofing. ○ Welded to structural member
● Through-bolted to structural member
○ Cast-in-place embedded stud
○ Post-installed adhesive anchor
○ Post-installed mechanical expansion anchor
○ Fixed D-ring
● Swivel eye
○ Recessed flush ring
9 Non-Penetrating Anchors
NOTE Non-penetrating anchors avoid breaching the roof but each type is matched to a specific roof geometry or relies on ballast, and that match must be verified. (9.1)
NOTE A standing-seam clamp grips the seam rib without penetration but is profile-specific: a clamp sized for a trapezoidal seam will not properly grip a snap-lock seam. (9.1.1)
NOTE A parapet clamp hooks over the parapet cap and adjusts to a range of wall thicknesses, making it suited to retrofit where penetration is undesirable. (9.1.2)
NOTE A counterweight (deadweight) array resists fall loads by ballast alone and is limited by roof slope and by the number of users the array is engineered for. (9.1.3)
9.2Standing-seam clamps shall be selected for the exact seam profile present and installed to the manufacturer's published torque table for that profile.
9.3Parapet clamps shall be selected for the actual parapet thickness and shall bear on the cap through protective padding that does not damage the wall finish.
9.4Counterweight anchor arrays shall not be installed on a roof slope exceeding the manufacturer's rated slope limit.
9.5Each non-penetrating anchor shall be verified against the actual roof profile, slope, and substrate before procurement.
● Standing-seam clamp
○ Parapet clamp
○ Counterweight / deadweight array
○ Trapezoidal
● Vertical / mechanical-lock
○ Snap-lock
○ Tee-seam
10 Horizontal Lifeline Systems
NOTE A horizontal lifeline lets a worker travel laterally while remaining attached; its end anchors carry forces far larger than the worker's weight, governed by the system geometry and sag. (10.1)
NOTE A cable horizontal lifeline uses tensioned wire rope between engineered end anchors with an energy absorber and is PE-designed for span, sag, and user count. (10.1.1)
NOTE A rigid rail horizontal lifeline uses an extruded aluminum or stainless channel with a captive trolley and is selected where minimal deflection is required, such as over glass facades or steep roofs. (10.1.2)
NOTE Sag drives end-anchor load and is counterintuitive: at about 15° of sag the end-anchor force is roughly twice the applied load, while at about 5° of sag it climbs to roughly six times the applied load, so shallow-sag systems impose the highest end-anchor forces. (10.1.3)
NOTE Specifying end-anchor capacity from worker weight without a PE sag analysis is a common error and a frequent source of RFIs and failed inspections. (10.1.4)
10.2Horizontal lifeline systems shall be designed by a qualified person with a sealed sag, deflection, and end-anchor load analysis for the maximum user count.
10.3End anchors and intermediate supports shall be rated for the amplified loads determined by the sag analysis, not for the worker's weight.
10.4Cable horizontal lifelines shall include an energy absorber sized to limit the maximum arresting force to 1,800 lb (8 kN) at the worker.
10.5Cable lifelines shall be tensioned and the as-built sag verified against the design sag before acceptance.
10.6Rigid rail systems shall be specified where lifeline deflection must be minimized over facades, glazing, or steep roofs.
● Wire rope (cable)
○ Rigid aluminum rail
○ Rigid stainless rail
25
Default: 3 percent of span
11 Davit and BMU Tie-Back Anchorage
NOTE Davit sockets and building maintenance unit tie-back anchors support suspended facade access; their locations are fixed in concrete or steel during construction and cannot be economically moved afterward. (11.1)
NOTE A davit base socket is a permanent sleeve cast into a concrete parapet or welded to structural steel that receives a portable davit mast for window-cleaning or BMU operations. (11.1.1)
NOTE Davit socket and tie-back locations must be coordinated jointly by the structural engineer and the facade or BMU access consultant, because a misplaced socket cannot be relocated after construction. (11.1.2)
11.2Davit base sockets shall be located by coordinated structural and facade-access drawings before concrete placement or steel fabrication.
11.3Cast-in davit sockets shall be set with the reinforcing and embedment shown in the PE calculations and held in position during concrete placement.
11.4Welded davit sockets shall be welded by a certified welder to the structural steel identified in the calculations.
11.5BMU tie-back anchors shall be rated for the suspended-access loads stated by the BMU designer and shall be marked with their rated tie-back load.
11.6The connection point of a davit or tie-back anchor used for vertical arrest shall be at or above the worker's dorsal D-ring elevation.
● Cast-in concrete parapet sleeve
○ Welded to structural steel
500011250
Default: 5000 lb
Per drawings — facade access plan
12 Materials and Finish
NOTE Anchorage spends its life exposed on the roof or facade, so corrosion resistance is a service requirement, not a finish preference. (12.1)
NOTE Painted carbon steel anchors corrode within roughly two to five years in coastal, pool-deck, condensate, or chemical-exposure zones and are not acceptable for exposed rooftop service in those environments. (12.1.1)
NOTE Type 316L stainless steel and hot-dip galvanized carbon steel are the appropriate finishes for exposed rooftop and facade anchors; the choice is driven by the corrosivity of the location. (12.1.2)
12.2Anchor bodies, fasteners, and lifeline components exposed to weather shall be Type 316L stainless steel or hot-dip galvanized carbon steel.
12.3Hot-dip galvanized components shall be coated to ASTM A123 for fabricated steel and ASTM A153 for hardware.
12.4Stainless steel components shall conform to ASTM A276.
12.5Stainless steel components shall not be installed in direct contact with carbon steel without isolation.
12.6Anchors in coastal, pool-deck, rooftop mechanical, or chemical-exposure zones shall be Type 316L stainless steel.
12.7Fasteners shall match or exceed the corrosion resistance of the anchor body and shall not introduce galvanic coupling.
○ Type 316L stainless steel
● Hot-dip galvanized carbon steel
○ Powder-coat over carbon steel (sheltered locations only)
● Standard rooftop
○ Coastal / marine
○ Pool deck / chlorinated
○ Rooftop mechanical / condensate
○ Chemical exposure
13 Testing
NOTE Anchorage is life-safety equipment, so field acceptance depends on proof testing the installed anchor and its connection, not on the catalog rating alone. (13.1)
NOTE Anchorage connector hardware is proof-tested to a minimum 3,600 lb (16 kN) tensile load without cracking, breaking, or permanent deformation, and is dynamically tested per ANSI/ASSP Z359.18. (13.1.1)
NOTE Post-installed concrete and masonry anchors are field proof-tested, typically to 150 percent of the design load per the ASTM E488 or ICC-ES protocol, before acceptance. (13.1.2)
13.2Each post-installed anchor shall be field proof-tested to not less than 150 percent of its design load and shall show no movement or distress.
13.3Anchorage connectors shall withstand the static and dynamic test loads of ANSI/ASSP Z359.18 without cracking, breaking, or permanent deformation.
13.4Field proof tests shall be witnessed by the competent person and recorded on a test report identifying each anchor by tag.
13.5Any anchor that fails or moves under proof load shall be removed, the cause corrected, and the anchor or its replacement re-tested.
100200
Default: 150 percent
14 Installation
NOTE Installation shall follow the manufacturer's instructions, the sealed shop drawings, and the sealed calculations for every anchor. (14.1)
14.2Anchors shall be installed in the locations shown on the coordinated layout plan roof anchorage layout. 14.3Welded connections shall be made by certified welders and shall be inspected before any coating is applied.
14.4Bolted and post-installed anchors shall be torqued to the values in the sealed calculations or the manufacturer's instructions.
14.5Standing-seam clamps shall be torqued to the manufacturer's published table for the specific seam profile.
14.6Penetrating anchors shall be flashed and sealed per the roofing manufacturer's detail before the roof warranty is finalized, coordinated with Membrane Roofing. 14.7Dissimilar metals shall be isolated to prevent galvanic corrosion at every connection.
14.8No anchor shall be placed in service until its proof test has passed and its marking and inspection tag are installed.
15 Marking and Identification
NOTE Unmarked anchors are written up on OSHA inspections and flagged by facility managers; permanent marking is both a code requirement and an operational necessity. (15.1)
15.2Each anchor shall be permanently marked with the manufacturer, the rated load, and the duty (arrest or restraint).
15.3Each anchor shall carry a durable inspection tag showing the installation date and the next inspection or re-certification due date.
15.4Each anchor shall be identified by a unique tag that matches the anchor register.
15.5Travel-restraint-only anchors shall be marked "RESTRAINT ONLY" in legible permanent lettering.
● Engraved stainless tag
○ Stamped into anchor body
○ Powder-coated cast legend
16 Inspection and Re-Certification
NOTE Anchorage that is not on a written inspection schedule goes uninspected; the contract documents shall state the inspection and re-certification intervals so the owner receives a program, not just hardware. (16.1)
NOTE Annual visual inspection is the minimum interval; a five-year proof-load re-certification is the industry-standard interval for permanent commercial anchors in the United States. (16.1.1)
NOTE Manufacturers commonly publish a ten-year replacement interval for polymeric and composite anchor components, which may differ from the metallic anchor body service life. (16.1.2)
16.2Polymeric and composite component replacement intervals shall be tracked separately in the inspection program from the metallic anchor body.
16.3The system shall be visually inspected by a competent person at intervals not exceeding one year.
16.4Each anchor shall undergo a proof-load re-certification test at intervals not exceeding five years, or more frequently if the manufacturer requires.
16.5Polymeric and composite anchor components shall be replaced at the manufacturer's published service-life interval regardless of inspection result.
16.6The inspection program and each completed inspection shall be recorded against the anchor register and the labeled inspection tag at each anchor.
17 Warranty
NOTE The anchorage warranty shall cover the anchor hardware and its installation, and shall not conflict with the roof penetration warranty. (17.1)
17.2The Contractor shall warrant the anchorage system against defects in materials and installation for not less than the period stated below from the date of substantial completion.
17.3The penetration flashing warranty shall be coordinated so that anchor penetrations do not void the roof membrane warranty.
18 Spare Parts
NOTE Spare clamps, fasteners, and lifeline components keep the system in service between re-certifications without procurement delay. (18.1)
18.2The Contractor shall furnish spare anchor fasteners, clamp components, and lifeline hardware as scheduled below.
☐ Spare anchor fasteners (matched material)
☐ Spare standing-seam clamp components
☐ Spare lifeline trolley / shuttle
☐ Spare energy absorber
☐ Replacement inspection tags