CSA Z271:20 (R2025)

Description

Preface This is the fifth edition of CSA Z271, Design of suspended access equipment . It supersedes the previous editions published in 2010, 1998, 1984, and 1974 under the title, Safety code for suspended platforms. The major changes to this edition include the following: a) revisions to load requirements, factors and formulae; b) revisions to post-installed fastener requirements; c) addition of auxiliary hoisting unit loads, hour meters, and telescoping component redundancy; and d) revisions to davit system designs. This Standard was developed by CSA Group with funding support provided by the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Law-Occupational Safety and Health (CAALL-OSH), including Provincial and Territorial Governments, as well as the Government of Canada. CSA Group is solely responsible for the content of this Standard, and CSA Group and the funding bodies disclaim any liability in connection with the use of the information contained herein. This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Suspended Access Equipment, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Occupational Health and Safety, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. Scope 1.1 This Standard specifies requirements for the design, construction, installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, and repair of suspended access equipment. 1.2 This Standard applies to suspended access equipment that is a) designed for the purpose of gaining access to exterior and interior surfaces of buildings and other structures; b) hoisted by mechanical, electrical, or manual power; and c) suspended from one, two, or multiple points. 1.3 This Standard does not address the requirements for the safe operation of suspended access equipment, which is covered in CSA Z91. 1.4 This Standard does not apply to the following equipment: a) portable and self-propelled elevating work platforms, which are covered in CAN/CSA-B354.6, CAN/CSA-B354.7, and CAN/CSA-B354.8; b) mast climbing work platforms, which are covered in CSA B354.9 and B354.10/B354.11; c) vehicle-mounted aerial devices, which are covered in CSA C225, ANSI/SIA A92.7, and ANSI/SIA A92.8; d) personnel platforms that are pinned or suspended from a crane boom, which are covered in CAN/CSA-Z150; e) access scaffold, which are covered in CSA S269.2 and CAN/CSA-Z797; f) construction hoists, which are covered in CAN/CSA-Z185-M87 and CAN/CSA-Z256; g) elevators, which are covered in ASME 17.1/CSA B44; h) manlifts, which are covered in CAN/CSA-B311; and i) passenger ropeways, which are covered in CSA Z98. 1.5 In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. 1.6 The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. Annex A provides approximate imperial equivalents to these values, which are given for information only.