PPE Equipment Lifetimes

Under the PPE Directive, manufacturers must provide information on estimated maximum lifetimes for their products. Harnesses, webbing, helmets and even metalware all degrade over time, depending on use, storage and the climate. Regular inspections are required under UK law, but if a product reaches the manufacturer's lifetime then it must be destroyed even if in good condidition.

The information below comes direct from the manufacturer. TAG is in no way responsible for the accuracy of the figures or your ability to determine intensity of use. Any product exposed to extreme conditions of heat, cold, sunlight or chemicals will have a reduced lifetime. In these cases, you must consult directly with the manufacturer to obtain a new figure.

Where a total life is quoted, this figure is inclusive of usage lifetime when calculating expiry. For example a total life of up to 10 years plus a working life of 12 months means that a product can only be used for 12 months provided it is less than 9 years old when first put into service. This is the case for Petzl products.

Where a pre-use SHELF life is quoted, this is separate to the working life. For example a shelf life of 5 years and working life of 5 years allows a product to be ten years old at the end of it's working period, but a maximum of 5 years older than the date it was FIRST put into service. Products cannot be replaced into 'storage' to use up extra shelf life. This is the case for Miller/Troll products.

Petzl

Helmets, harnesses, descenders, ascenders, connectors, anchors and accessories	Total life: 10 years Working life: 10 years maximum Petzl state items in use should be inspected every 3 MONTHS.
Lanyards, cowstails, sewn slings and energy absorbers	Total life: up to 10 years Intensive use: 6 months Normal use: 12 months Occasional use: 10 years maximum Petzl state items in use should be inspected every 3 MONTHS.

Troll Industrial (Miller/Troll product range)

Helmets, harnesses, descenders, ascenders, connectors, anchors and accessories

Shelf life: 5 years Working life: 5 years maximum Maximum age of any product in service not to exceed 10 years.

Pammenter & Petrie (P+P)

All webbing or rope products: harnesses, lanyards, slings, escape and rescue kits, fall arrest systems, restraint and positioning devices

Shelf life: 2 years Working life: 5 years maximum Maximum age of any product in service not to exceed 7 years.

Troll Industrial (Miller/Troll product range)

Helmets, harnesses, descenders, ascenders, connectors, anchors and accessories

Shelf life: 5 years Working life: 5 years maximum Maximum age of any product in service not to exceed 10 years.

Tractel Ltd

All products

Total life: 10 years Working life: 5 years maximum Maximum age of any product in service not to exceed 10 years or 5 years from first use. Fabric products used outdoors for long periods should have working life reduced to 4 years.

Beal Ropes

All products

Total life: 10 years Working life: 5 years maximum Average lifetimes: Intensive use 3-12 months. Weekly use 2-3 years. Occasional use 4-5 years. Beal also has very specific requirements on knotting and pre-treatment of ropes, please refer to the product information supplied with each purchase.

SALA

All products

Total life: 5 years maximum irrespective of levels of use.

Spanset UK Ltd

All products

Total life: 5 years maximum irrespective of levels of use.

Edelrid

All products

Total life: 10 years Edelrid do not specify working life for each product, instead saying that all items must pass regular inspections, and no item may exceed ten years of age. In practice, ropes will rarely remain serviceable for that length of time but metal items probably will.

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