BINDER SETUP FOR TOWER
Binder 1
v Tower Unit Log
v Completed Rappel Tower Daily Pre-Use Condition Assessment Checklist
v Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
v Appendix – Blank Forms
o Rappel Tower Unit Log Form
o Additional Rappel Tower Daily Pre-Use Condition Assessment Checklist Forms
Binder 2
v Purpose
v Responsibility
v Operating Plan Section
o Rappel Tower Operating Plan
o Load Limits
o Rigging of Rappel Equipment on Tower
o Operating Instructions - Generic
§ Low Platform
§ Simulator
o Operating Instructions – Model Specific
o Rescue Procedures
§ Low Platform - Recommended
§ Simulator - Recommended
o Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
v Maintenance Plan Section
o General Tower Requirements
o Inspections and Checklists
o Completed Inspection Forms
v Appendix – Blank Forms
o Rappel Tower Initial Inspection Checklist Form
o Rappel Tower Engineering Inspection Report & Checklist Form
o Rappel Tower Maintenance Record Form
o Rappel Tower Annual Pre-Use Condition Assessment Checklist Form
o Rappel Tower Unit Log Form
MISSOULA AERIAL FIRE DEPOT
RAPPEL TOWER
OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE PLAN
Date:Recommended By:
Helitack Crew Supervisor / Date
Recommended By:
R1 Regional Helicopter Operations Specialist / Date
Approved By:
R1 Deputy Director of Fire, Aviation & Air / Date
INDEX TO PLAN
PURPOSE OF OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE PLAN
RESPONSIBILITY
OPERATING PLAN SECTION
v Rappel Tower Operating Plan
v Load Limits
v Rigging of Rappel Equipment
v Operating Instructions – Generic
· Low Platform
· Simulator
v Operating Instructions - Model Specific Simulator Configuration and Procedures
v Rescue Procedures
· Low Platform - Recommended
· Simulator - Recommended
v Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
MAINTENANCE PLAN SECTION
v General Tower Requirements
v Inspections and Checklists
v Completed Forms
APPENDIX – BLANK FORMS
v Rappel Tower Initial Inspection Checklist Form
v Rappel Tower Engineering Inspection Report & Checklist Form
v Rappel Tower Maintenance Record Form
v Rappel Tower Annual Pre-Use Condition Assessment Checklist Form
v Rappel Tower Daily Pre-Use Condition Assessment Checklist Form
v Rappel Tower Unit Log Form
PURPOSE OF OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE PLAN
The objective of the rappel tower facility is to provide training to helicopter rappel personnel for firefighting. The prime objective of this plan is to assure that adequate systems for personal safety of the rappeller trainees are in place and working. The objective of this plan is to outline the tower activities that will protect the safety of the rappeller trainees and trainers and shall include sufficient details and standard to enable the Forest Service to monitor operations for compliance.
RESPONSIBILITY
It is the R1 Director of Aviation and Fire’s responsibility to:
1. Insure the Operating and Maintenance plan is implemented.
2. Insure the plan is incorporated and followed.
3. Insure all required inspections are made and all deficiencies are corrected.
4. Insure that all personnel assigned duties contained in the plan are adequately trained.
It is the Director of Engineering’s responsibility to:
1. Approve design and construction of the tower facility.
2. Approve any modifications to the tower.
3. Approve the qualifications of the engineers or other personnel performing inspections of the tower for structural integrity.
OPERATING PLAN SECTION
RAPPEL TOWER OPERATING PLAN
The following are recommended to be incorporated into this Operating Plan or on hand:
· Interagency Helicopter Rappel Guide
· ANSI Z359.3 Assisted and Self Rescue Systems requirement (when available)
· All other items required per Forest Service Manual direction
The tower and simulator shall be inspected yearly prior to use and documented on the Rappel Tower Annual Pre-Use Condition Assessment Checklist Form. In addition, the tower and simulator shall be inspected by the Forest Engineer or others approved by the Director of Engineering at various required intervals detailed in the Maintenance Plan Section.
The tower and simulator shall have a daily pre-use condition assessment completed daily prior to being used and documented on the Rappel Tower Daily Pre-Use Condition Assessment Checklist Form.
Prior to students using the tower they will have passed the performance based rappel training at the ground level, refer to the IHRG.
Review and discuss Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). Insure any needed specialized first aid equipment is on site and in good working condition.
Tower will only be used under the direct supervision of a qualified spotter per IHRG.
LOAD LIMITS
The tower is limited to a maximum of 28 people and is designed for a maximum live load of 100 pounds per square foot.
Low Platform - 2 spotters and 2 rappellers.
Low Platform Waiting Area - 2 rappellers.
Simulator - 1 spotter, 1 spotter trainee and 8 rappellers.
Simulator Waiting Area – 8 rappellers.
Observation Walkway – 4 observers
RIGGING OF RAPPEL EQUIPMENT
Low Platform:
1) Verify that access gate and latch for the low platform work properly.
2) Proceed to level 3 to install rappel ropes.
3) Inspect anchor for the low platform ropes to ensure that anchors are not damaged and bolts are tight.
4) Connect ropes for the low platform with steel carabineers. Communicate that the rappel rope is about to be lowered. Lower rappel ropes, if all is clear.
5) Attach gunner straps to handrail system for spotter on low platform before spotter passes through gate and enters low platform to rig spotter tethers.
6) Attach spotter tethers to spotter beam at low platform with approved nylon webbing.
Simulator:
1) Verify that access gate and latch for simulator work properly.
2) Attach spotter tethers to spotter anchor point on ceiling.
3) Verify that the simulator side doors and latches work properly and they are closed and locked before rigging anchor points.
4) Verify that all anchor points used for the helicopter configuration being simulated have been installed. Inspect anchors to ensure that they are not damaged and bolts are tight. Anchor installation sites are located on the floor, ceiling and one wall. Selection of anchor locations to be utilized will depend on the configuration of the helicopter(s) being simulated. Refer to Model Specific Simulator Configuration and Procedures.
5) Verify the seats are positioned for the configuration of the helicopter being simulated and that the seats are fastened to the floor.
6) Connect rappeler gunner straps (if needed) to the proper locations for the configuration of the helicopter being simulated.
7) Adjust spotter tether and gunner straps to ensure personnel cannot break the plane of the door allowing them to exit the simulator.
8) Connect all tether straps, gunner straps and rappel ropes to simulator with steel carabineers.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS - GENERIC
1) Before daily operation of the rappel tower has started weather observations shall be made and the weather forecast shall be checked. If no storms are observed or forecast then the base manager shall proceed with the tower pre-use condition assessment.
2) Base manager will conduct a pre-use condition assessment of the tower before each daily use and document the assessment. If any problems are found, the tower will not be allowed to be used until the problem has been fixed.
3) If ice or snow is on the tower, the tower shall not be used until all of the snow and ice have been removed. The tower shall not be used when stairs and walkway surfaces are slippery.
4) The spotters shall ascend to the tower and follow the directions outlined for rigging of rappel equipment.
5) Rappellers shall do the following:
Low platform:
1) Ascend steps after a buddy check has been completed.
2) Wait at the access gate until spotter gives the rappeller approval to enter the lower platform.
3) Rappellers will attach to the gunner straps that are hooked to the handrail, open access gate, enter the platform, close and latch gate, and then walk to the spotter using the handrail.
4) Spotter will verify access gate is closed and latched.
5) Spotter inspects rappel equipment and after a verbal “OK”, the rappeller hands a “descent device” to the spotter. Rappeller waits for the spotter to rig ”descent device” to the rope.
6) Once rigged, the spotter will hand the”descent device” back to rappeller. The rappeller will inspect the ”descent device”, and hook up and lock off. The rappeller will place their left hand on ”descent device” and right hand on gunner strap, while facing the spotter.
7) Spotter will physically check the ”descent device” and the harness hardware.
8) Upon a signal from the spotter, the rappeller will detach gunner strap and proceed to the pre-rappel position and visually check rope down entire length for knots/obstructions.
9) After visual inspection of rope, rappeller will focus on spotter.
10) Spotter will make final visual inspection and give the signal for the rappeller to descend from the platform.
11) Rappeller will unlock with right hand, look to the ground and descend, allowing rope to tunnel through right hand while keeping hand on hip.
12) After rappeller has reached the ground, the rappeller will then detach the ”descent device” from rope and move from under the platform to a safety area.
Simulator:
The Rappel Simulator is intended to be reconfigurable to represent many different helicopter models. Recommended model specific cabin configurations and procedures are located below. If other configurations or procedures are used there are some key rules that must be followed to ensure personnel safety and OSHA compliance. Mandatory Rules:
1) FALL ARREST protection is required anytime personnel can break the vertical plane of an open doorway or platform edge that is 4 feet or higher above the ground.
2) All FALL ARREST anchors must be rated for 5,000 pounds ultimate.
3) All FALL ARREST personnel systems with full body harnessed must no impart more than 1800 pounds force to the worker in the course of a fall.
4) Under no circumstances can more than one individual be attached to one of these points if the chance of falling exists.
5) It is CRITICAL that ALL simulator occupants are either attached to an approved tether ring or rappel rope anchor point and locked off, WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN!
Model Specific Simulator Configuration & Procedures
General Comments:
The Rappel Simulator is intended to be reconfigurable to represent many different helicopter models. It will therefore never be able to provide the exact cabin dimensions of any one particular aircraft. The designated anchor points (& rings) in the simulator used to attach rappelling ropes, cargo let-down ropes, and tether lines are rated for 5,000 pounds ultimate. The number and placement of anchor points and rings varies depending upon the model aircraft being simulated. Under no circumstances can more than one individual be attached to one of these points if a fall arrest situation is possible. The seats and benches may be moved about the cabin and held with J-bolts.
Bell Mediums:
Simulator Configuration
· Insure emergency rescue rings are installed on the Ceiling Anchor Cluster as shown in Figure 1.
· Install all tether points shown in Figure 2.
· It is CRITICAL that All simulator occupants are either attached to an approved tether ring or rappel rope anchor point WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN. The seat belts are not structural so do not provide the protection required by OSHA.
· Install the rest of the cabin items shown in Figure 3. Configuration assumes use of hell hole and absence of Spotters seat. Reconfigure if needed.
· Install skids and full length flight step.
Procedures
· Spotter ensures that exist doors are closed and secure.
· Spotter motions for new rapeller group to open simulator entrance gate and enter simulator.
· Rappellers go to appropriate seat and attach tether strap. If base has chosen to install non-structural seat belts to enhance simulation these would need to be put on then.
· Spotter closes and secures simulator entrance gate
· Each base decides how much of the IHRG Model Specific procedures it wants to incorporate into its training (i.e. buddy checks, simulated spotter/pilot communications, etc.).
· Spotter and/or Rappellers slide open and lock simulator exit doors.
· Since all Rappellers have tethers it is not necessary to close the simulator exit doors between each set of rappellers.
· Once the last set of Rappellers has exited the simulator and the Spotter has dropped the ropes the Spotter will close and secure the simulator exit doors – ready for the next cycle.
· Cargo deployment is optional. A block and tackle rigged to the doorway figure-8 can be used to assist in lifting the cargo.
Bell 407:
Simulator Configuration
· Insure emergency rescue rings are installed on the Ceiling Anchor Cluster as shown in Figure 1.
· Install at least one ceiling tether ring for the Spotter shown in Figure 2.
· Depending on variations of procedures it may be necessary to install additional tether rings shown in Figure 2.
· It is CRITICAL that All simulator occupants are either attached to an approved tether ring or rappel rope anchor point WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN. The seat belts are not structural so do not provide the protection required by OSHA.
· Install the rest of the cabin items shown in Figure 4. Center console has been removed to allow rappellers to get to their seats quicker.
· Install skids and full length flight step.
Procedures
· Spotter ensures that exist doors are closed and secure.
· Spotter motions for new rapeller group to open simulator entrance gate and enter simulator.
· Rappellers go to appropriate seat.
· Spotter closes and secures simulator entrance gate.
· Rappellers hand the end of their rappel rope to the Spotter for attachment to the simulator anchor.
· The Spotter then hands the rigged Sky Genie back to the Rappeller who attaches it to their harness. If base has chosen to install non-structural seat belts to enhance simulation these would need to be fastened now.