Here is a selection of frequently asked questions and answers for TS Group products. If you have a question that does not appear on this list just send us and email by clicking here. We will do our best to answer it for you asap.

1. What is TS Rail?

TS RAIL is a rigid rail system designed to provide fall protection for workers on climbing structures (ladders).

2. What type of applications will the system work with?

Some applications for the system include: Elevated Water Tanks, Radar Towers / Telecommunication Towers / Transmission Towers, Silos / Industrial / Agricultural, Mines / Shafts / Conveyors, Cranes, Amusement parks, and more. The system is designed to work with any fixed climbing structure.

3. How does it work?

TS RAIL is a continuous safety system that is made of Aluminum Alloy, Stainless Steel, or Hot Dip Galvanized Steel. The Rail is typically attached to ladder rungs or the Vertical Side Riser of the climbing structure. The worker (wearing a Safety Harness) is attached to the rail via a Fall Arrester (trolley) which rides on the TS Safety Rail. Should a worker stumble or fall, the fall is instantly arrested, allowing little or no injury to the worker.

4. What are the main components of the system?

SERIES 55000 TS RAIL COMPONENTS

Vertical Rail
Rail (track), Alignment bar, Splice Channel, Rung clamps, Bolts / Nuts / Washes, Fall Arrester (Trolley Model 25000, 25100, 25700 & 25800), Trolley Entry / Exit Gate, Trolley Stop, Rail Top Dismount (rotates 360 degree), Removable Top Dismount, De-Icing trolley, Harness & Lanyard.

Horizontal Rail
Rail, (track), Bolts / Nuts / Washers (T-Bolts), Support clamps, Support brackets, Alignment Bars, Trolley (25200, 25210), Trolley Stop, Fall Indicator,
Harness
Retractable Life Line

Ladder
Ladder with rail, (track) on one or both sides
Splices
Mounting Brackets
Trolley, 25000
Ladder gate

Note: There are two types of SERIES 55000 TS RAIL SYSTEMS

Rail
• vertical
• horizontal

Ladder
• Safety rail intrinsic in on riser
• Safety rail intrinsic in both risers

5. Why Use Series 55000 TS RAIL

• Easy to install
• Easy to maintain and inspect
• Adaptable to most environments and situations
• Multi-user capabilities
• Hands free use
• Limited fall distance / restraint
• If a fall occurs, need only replace the damaged section

6. What advantages does TS RAIL have other competitive systems.

Ladder cages (Verge-Matic)
These give the worker a false sense of safety. Leads workers to believe that they can not fall, however the cage only provides a rest station if the worker is properly positioned.

Cable systems
• Most cable systems only have one anchor point, the top
• Most cable systems can only be used in a straight application
• Most cable systems do not provide "hands Free" climbing and descending
• If a fall occurs, the entire cable system must be replaced
• Cable systems require frequent inspection and adjustment to maintain cable integrity and tension
• Cable must be retensioned, in addition, kinks, cuts, deterioration or loose wires could jam the cable "trolley"
• Requires an independent fall arrest system to be used when inspecting the cable system
• Cable systems do not necessarily accommodate more than one user at a time; rescue can be difficult. Rescuers require and independent system.
• Cable systems tend to swing in the wind when used outdoors, as they do not stay in the intermediate cable stays.

7. What is information is required to quote a TS Rail system?

Vertical TS RAIL
• Is the rail going on an existing ladder?
• What length of rail is required for each application?
(Start rail 3' from bottom, does rail have to go above climbing apparatus)
• What is the size and shape of the ladder rungs to be fastened to?
• What material is required for the rail (Al., SS, HDG)?
• What accessories are needed?
• Is there an existing ladder cage, what is the dia. of the cage and the distance from the ladder rungs to the rear of the cage?
• Who will supply engineer stamp if required for the installation?

Horizontal TS RAIL
• What length of rail is required for each application?
• What type of mounting hardware may be required?
• Are there drawings available of the structure to be mounted to?
• Are the elevations the same or do we require curved rail?
• What material is required (Al., SS, HDG)?
• What accessories are needed?
• How many workers are required on the system at any one time?
• What is the distance between available supports?

TS Ladder
• What length of ladder is required for each application?
• How will the workers enter and exit the ladder at the top and bottom?
• Is rail required on both sides or on just one side? If one side only which side?
• What material is required (Al., SS, HDG)
• What accessories are required for the ladder?
• What is the clearance from the face of the ladder to the nearest object?
*Note: The customer must supply anchorage bolts (min 5000lbs of pull out strength), if the ladder is to anchored to concrete.

Note:
Aluminum is the most common material for TS RAIL and ladder. Stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized TS RAIL and ladder can be provided upon request. In addition, concave and convex curved rail is also available for special applications. Systems requiring curved sections may require additional information and are treated as custom orders.

8. The material that the TS RAIL or Ladder will be mounted to is made of a different type of metal. Will I have a problem with corrosion from dissimilar metals?
Using Aluminum Rail or Ladder, you will most likely not have any of this type of reaction. In the 35 plus years that the TS RAIL products have been out in the field, there have not been any problems, that we are aware of,.

9. What is the life expectancy of TS RAIL products?
The life expectancy of any product is influenced by the environment it is located in. It's service life should be determined through a thorough inspection program. Note: We have some TS RAIL installations that are over 35 years old.

10. What is the longest extension for TS RAIL Products?
A 1m. removable extension is to be used in a situation where an additional length of rail is necessary but can not be permanently attached. Ex. Manholes or other such covers where a permanent TS RAIL would interfere. In other situations, where no cover is required, the rail should be ordered the same length as the ladder. When the rail is mounted it will be raised up from the floor, (to allow for trolley entry and exit), and will extend past the top of the ladder. This will create a more stable extension.

11. Does the 1m. removable extension fit the TS RAIL Ladder?
No. The 1m. extension fits only on the aluminum TS RAIL, however the ladder can be ordered 1.2m. longer with a request to leave out the top four (4) rungs. The difference is that this extension for the ladder is not removable.

12. How does TS RAIL mount?
The mounting brackets are attache every 5 - 6 ft along the length of the rail system. All the clamps, bolts, nuts and lock washers are supplied with the system.

13. What is the distance between the TS RAIL LADDER and the surface it is mounted to?
The measurement between the centre of the rungs on the ladder and the surface the ladder is mounted to is 7 inches. This allows for the proper amount of foot room when climbing and leaves space for pipes. duct work etc.. This distance can be changed only by requesting special TS RAIL LADDER mounting brackets. If the distance is to be less than 7 inches a written request is required from the end user specifying a lesser clearance.

14. How high should a TS Ladder or Rail be mounted from the floor for a vertical application?
The TS Rail when mounted to a fixed ladder should start approximately 3ft. from the floor. The TS Ladder should start approximately 1ft from the floor to allow for the trolley to enter and exit the rail.

15. How does TS Rail mount?
Vertical rail: Mounts onto the centre of an existing ladder to the rungs using rung clamps with two bolts per clamp. The rung clamps come in two (2) sizes. The first size fits onto rungs from 5/8" - 7/8" dia. The second size fits rungs from 1" - 1 1/4" Dia. This is why it is necessary to know exactly the size and shape of the rungs. The rail can also be mounted to the side rail (vertical riser) of an existing ladder using special brackets for side rail mounting.

Horizontal rail: Mounts using T-bolts or custom machined brackets. The head of the T-bolts slides along the slot in the back of the rail and can be positioned anywhere along the rail as required. Mounting distances are specified in installation instructions.
Note: Other mounting methods are available for special applications and are available on an as needed basis.

16. Are the Trolleys interchangeable from one type of TS Rail to another?
Yes and No! The 25000 Trolley can be used on any vertical aluminum TS rail or ladder system. If you have an application where you must have a combination of materials for vertical systems then a special trolley is available that will function on all materials in a vertical application. If there is a single application for a vertical system using a material other than aluminum then there are specific trolleys for those applications.

The 25200 trolley is designed to bo used only on horizontal systems as it has no arresting pawl in the device. When a horizontal system requires a combination of different materials to address the application the same 25200 trolley can be used on all of the materials.

17. What will I receive when I order a TS RAIL System?
You will receive the Safety Rail c/w the Alignment Bars/ Mounting clamps and the mounting hardware (bolts, nuts and lock washers).
You can also order the Accessories such as the Entry / Exit Gates, Trolleys, Harnesses, Lanyards and SRL'S.

Note:
If you order a TS Ladder System - All of the ladder and the mounting hardware to assemble on TS Ladder kit. When the ladder is being mounted onto a concrete or block structure it is the responsibility of the end user to insure that anchoring devices of appropriate strength be used and installed in accordance with proper installation procedures. Accessories such as a trolley, harness and rescue equipment must be ordered separately.