The document discusses a UniRail anchorage system that provides fall protection for workers. It is made of extruded aluminum alloy and can be used for fall arrest, restraint, rope access, and abseiling. The system is flexible and can be installed on various structures. It includes rails, joints, corners, carriages, and fixings. Case studies describe installations on unique structures like operas houses and water treatment plants that required customized rail configurations to provide worker safety.

2. Introduction
Manufactured from extruded aluminum alloy
Providing a simple, continuous and functional anchorage system
with very high levels of user safety and great aesthetics
In addition to fall protection applications, it has also been used
extensively as the primary anchor point for suspended rope
access tasks.
Is OSHA compliant 1926.502

3. Features and Benefits
A discrete design and range of fixing brackets ensure design
flexibility and offer concealed fixing solutions to complement
building aesthetics
UniRail can be fitted to a wide range of structures and can
support multiple workers for both fall arrest and fall restraint
work applications.
Suitable for use as an anchorage system for rope access and abseil
6000 Series aluminum Alloy components ensure a quality safety
system that will withstand harsh environments
A UniRail system offers workers continuous hands free movement
and navigates corners and building contours, providing maximum
design and integration flexibility.

4. Application
External façade access for window cleaners and
building maintenance engineers
Suspended rope access work for internal and external
building maintenance tasks
Internal and external access for high work areas such
as walkways and gantries
Wind turbine Nacelle safety
Tourist attractions and theme parks
Public and heritage buildings
Water treatment tanks and storage
vessels
Typical applications include:
Overhead anchorage for work on
vehicles and in production halls

5. System Components
Moulded end: Protects
personnel from injuring
themselves against an
exposed edge of end rail.
Common parts
System Stop: Prevents the
rail from coming out of its
end anchorage bracket in the
event of a fall in the first or
last span of the system.
Tamper-proof carriage
stop: Prevents the
carriage from coming off
the end of the system.
Removable carriage
stop: Prevents the
carriage from coming off
the end of the system.
Rail Joint: Joins the
ends of two rails and
maintains the integrity
of the system for fall
arrest situations.
Rail Corner: Corners are
available from stock and other
bends and forms are easily
accommodated down to a
radius of 200mm (7.88”).
Attachment carriage: Enables the user
to connect to the system and enjoy
complete hands-free movement along
the rail. It features a stainless steel
parking lock for work positioning tasks
and aluminum, nylon coated wheels. A
stainless steel shackle enables
connection of a karabiner hook and
pivots to enable best functionality at any
angle of take off. Min strength 15kN
(3300lbs)
Rail: Discrete profile just
32mm x 32mm (1 ¼” x 1 ¼”).
Silver anodised as standard
and can be powder coated on
request.

6. Choose system orientation to suit your application
Choose fixing brackets to suit application:
Side fix anchors have exposed fasteners for ease of installation.
Concealed fix anchor fasteners are hidden from view for maximum
aesthetic effect.
What purpose the system is to be for:
Fall arrest, Fall restraint, abseil and suspended access
System Configurations
Capital Safety’s team is on hand to provide you with design input, identifying
system layouts, fixing detail, structural suitability and discussing how the system
will be utilized.

7. Rail supplied in 3m (9.84ft) lengths
Rail slides in anchor fixings – spacing according to
system use
Each rail length connected by a Rail Joint
Various corners available to suit rail orientation
Specifying Systems
UniRail
End anchor
1mm gap for each
meter of system
Rail end stop
Carriage stop
Moulded rail end
Joins and corners supported within 200mm (7.87”) by
intermediate anchors
Carriage with hardened anodized wheels and steel locking
pin
UniRail
Joint assembly
Intermediate anchor

8. Specifying Systems: Concealed fix v’s Side fix
Concealed fix considerations
 Aesthetically preferable profile
 Fits into narrow channels
 Cannot see fixings
 Rail must slide into position after fixing anchors
 Difficult to check fixings during maintenance
 Fixing with corners requires modification of the rail
 Must fix with M10 countersink bolt
Threaded bracket available for through fix systems
Side Fix Considerations
 Rail can be in the brackets when marking and
mounting the anchors
 Greater flexibility of fixing type – threaded bar, bolts,
M10 or M12
 Fixings are easily checked for torque setting
 Not as aesthetically pleasing

9. Specifying Systems
Example: Fall arrest/restraint
Anchor spacing 2.6m (8.53ft) typical
End arrangement including: End anchor, Rail end stop,
Molded rail end, Carriage stop
Choose either concealed fix or side fix
Corners available to suit orientation
Leave 1mm (0.03”) gap for each meter of system
Standard corners available as 90° and 45°
Wall mount: Internal, External
Floor / Overhead mount
Wall mount 90° assembly – to negotiate zero
radius corners

10. Case studies
Palau De Les Arts Reina Sofia
(The Queen Sofia Opera House)
Architect: Santiago Calatrava
Problem:
Fall protection system was not specified at the design
stage.
Irregular shaped construction with high ceilings and
curved walls made maintenance with scaffolding
virtually impossible
“Trencadis” shell skin meant that traditional fall
protection systems cannot be used
Solution:
Rail system installed inside the building,
which would have minimal visual impact
Provides suspended rope access, positive
restraint and fall arrest for multiple users
Rail ‘floats’ within fixings allowing it to
expand and contract with the building

11. Case studies
The Agora
(Part of City of Arts & Science complex)
Architect: Santiago Calatrava
Problem:
Traditional fall protection systems unable to cope
with Irregular shaped construction
Restrictive access
Must be unobtrusive and blend in with
appearance of building
Solution:
Rail system was specified at design stage
ensuring a highly cost effective solution
Rail system was supplied in a white powder
coated finish to complement the building
Provided a safety solution during the building
phase

12. Waste Water Treatment Works, Scotland
(Generic to many water authorities worldwide)
Problem:
Settlement tank machinery rotates and the gantry
support wheels track along the top of the knee
high inner overflow wall.
Solid matter has to be regularly removed,
manually off the top of the inner wall.
Conventional cable fall arrest systems fixed to the
outer wall would result in the user falling into the
tank.
Solution:
A custom length of UniRail was formed to fit
perfectly within the radius of the treatment
tank.
The UniRail system was attached to the
outer wall of treatment tank and restrains
the user, thereby minimising fall distance
and immersion.
Case studies

13. Supporting information
Unirail Technical Manual – Hardcopy
Uniline Product Info File
Brochure
Designer’s Guide
Technical Datasheets
Installation Instructions
User Instruction Manual
Website
Case Studies