Does Your Zipline Need an Emergency Arrest Device?
According to international standards, every high-speed zip line requires an Emergency Arrest Device (EAD) to ensure rider safety. But what exactly is an EAD and is your operation compliant? This article explains why a backup brake is mandatory to eliminate a ‘single point of failure’ in your system. We define what an Emergency Arrest Device is, explore the different types of primary and secondary braking systems (manual, automatic, and gravity-fed), and clarify why an EAD is necessary even when using a reliable primary brake like the zipSTOP. Ensure your zip line meets safety standards and provides the ultimate protection for your riders by understanding this critical component.
Key takeaways
- An Emergency Arrest Device (EAD) is a mandatory backup system that prevents riders from impacting the terminal in the event of primary brake failure.
- Operating a high-speed zipline with only one braking mechanism creates a dangerous "single point of failure" that violates safety standards.
- EADs typically utilize friction-based mechanical engineering to safely absorb rider momentum when triggered.
- Implementing secondary braking is a legal and moral obligation for operators to ensure full EN standard compliance.
- Even highly reliable primary brakes, such as the zipSTOP, legally require an independent secondary EAD.
Eliminating the single point of failure
Modern zipline braking systems require secondary safety mechanisms to meet international standards.
Ziplines and zipwires are designed within recreational ropes courses to ensure participants arrive at the platform in a controlled, low-speed manner. On longer installations, death rides, and flying foxes, a dedicated braking system is utilized to stop people smoothly and consistently.
However, operating a high-speed zipline with only one primary brake creates a critical vulnerability known as a "single point of failure". Because there is no backup equipment, a failure in the primary brake leads directly to an accident. An expertly engineered zipline mitigates this risk by integrating an independent, secondary braking system.
Categorising braking systems
Braking systems, both primary and backup, generally fall into three distinct categories:
- Manual / Active: The rider is responsible for bringing themselves to a stop at the end of the line, either with a gloved hand on the cable or through a manual braking device.
- Automatic / Passive: The braking system brings the rider to a stop automatically without user intervention, often through impact or magnetic resistance.
- Gravity: The rider comes to a gradual stop without a formal brake device, relying purely on the specific sag and engineering of the cable line.
How emergency arrest devices work
A Zipline Emergency Arrest Device (EAD) is a safety system designed to prevent a rider from hitting an object or the ground in the event of a catastrophic failure of the primary setup. EADs typically consist of a braking mechanism that engages when triggered, acting as the final line of defence.
These devices operate using a combination of physics and mechanical engineering. When the primary system fails, the EAD is triggered and the mechanism engages, bringing the rider to a safe stop. The exact engineering varies, but many use a friction-based system that relies on the rider's weight and the angle of the cable to safely dissipate momentum.
At Skywalker, we take zipwire braking seriously. Even though high-end magnetic systems like the zipSTOP are designed to function as highly reliable primary brakes, operators still must have an emergency arrest device. This serves as a secondary, independent solution to mitigate the risk of user error or third-party equipment failures.
Common questions about EADs
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