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What is Anchor Connect?
DavitPro Anchor Connect is a flexible roof anchor system designed to provide safe rope access on buildings where traditional davits won't work. By moving the anchor point away from the roof edge and extending reach with a pre-engineered arm, it allows teams to access façades safely and compliantly, even on complex rooftops.
THE CONCEPT
How Innovative Design Enables Maximum Flexibility
Traditional davit systems require robust structural capacity directly at the building edge to support the forces generated during façade access operations. Anchor Connect removes this reliance entirely. A durable anchorage post is positioned further back from the façade edge, where structural capacity has been verified and is adequate. A pre-engineered rigging arm then extends from this remote anchor point to the working edge, providing the necessary reach for safe and effective rope access operations.
Key Operational Elements:
- Remote anchor positioning
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Installed in a structurally verified location away from the building perimeter, where substrate capacity can safely absorb the loads generated.
- Dual integral lugs
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Integrated at the anchor post, enabling safe rope rigging configurations and providing redundancy for rescue scenarios.
- Extended rigging arm
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Pre-engineered to extend from the anchor post to the building edge, with configurations offering 3-metre lengths and overhangs from 1 to 1.5 metres.
- Load distribution system
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An adjustable supporting leg distributes force evenly to reduce strain on both the anchor point and the rigging arm.
- Rope protection
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Integrated rollers at the arm's front edge prevent abrasion during ascent and descent, ensuring smooth movement and extended equipment life.
KEY APPLICATIONS
Versatile Rope Access for Challenging Buildings
Anchor Connect is designed for buildings where traditional davit systems simply won't work. By separating the anchor point from the edge and extending reach with a rigging arm, it opens up safe façade access on rooftops that would otherwise be impractical, expensive, or impossible.
Structural Limitations
Many buildings can't support permanent davit bases at the perimeter due to limited edge capacity. Anchor Connect moves the anchor point back to a structurally sound area and uses the rigging arm to safely reach the façade, eliminating the need for costly structural reinforcement.
Space Constraints
Busy rooftops filled with HVAC, plant and services often leave no room for edge-mounted davits. Anchor Connect can be positioned wherever space is available, avoiding clashes with existing equipment while still providing full façade access.
Architectural Sensitivity
On heritage, high-profile or design-led buildings, visible edge equipment is often unacceptable. Anchor Connect keeps the anchor point discreetly out of sight, with the rigging arm only deployed when needed, preserving the building's appearance without compromising access.
Waterproofing Complexity
Installing davit bases through waterproofing layers can risk leaks, damage and warranty issues. Anchor Connect avoids these sensitive zones by relocating the anchor point away from critical waterproofing details.
Retrofit Scenarios
Older buildings often have unknown or limited structural capacity, making edge-mounted systems costly to adapt. Anchor Connect works with existing structures, delivering a compliant retrofit solution without major building modification.
ANCHOR CONNECT DIFFERENTIATOR
Anchor Connect vs Traditional Davit Systems
Before you can select the optimal solution for specific building requirements, it’s vital that you understand the distinctions between Anchor Connect and traditional davit systems.
Traditional DavitPro Systems
Traditional DavitPro systems use a permanently installed socket base at or near the building edge. The davit arm slots into this base and project over the façade to create a secure point for rope access work.
Because all loads are trasnferred at the perimeter, the roof edge must have sufficient structural strength. The socket base is also permanently visible at roof level.
Best suited to buildings with strong, accessible roof edges.
- Advantages:
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Simple installation where structural capacity exists
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Fast deployment of the davit arm
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Direct access over the building edge
- Limitations:
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Requires high structural capacity at the roof edge
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Permanently visible at the building perimeter
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Limited flexibility in where the system can be positioned
Anchor Connect System
The structural anchor point is separated away from the working edge and can be positioned wherever structural capacity has been verified. To bridge the gap from here to the working position, the rigging arm is engaged with the adjustable supporting leg distributing loads and maintaining stability.
- Advantages:
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Works with limited edge capacity
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Flexible anchor positioning avoids obstructions
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Reduces visual impact on façade
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Accommodates complex site conditions
- Limitations:
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Requires slightly longer setup time for arm deployment
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Occupies more roof space than edge-mounted systems
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May have reach limitations depending on configuration
Making the Optimal Decision
Choose traditional DavitPro systems when edge structural capacity is adequate and verified, perimeter access is unobstructed, straightforward installation at the edge is preferred, and minimal roof space behind the parapet is available.
Choose Anchor Connect when structural capacity at the edge is insufficient or unverified, space constraints or equipment prevent edge installation, architectural considerations limit visible edge equipment, waterproofing complexity makes edge penetrations problematic, or retrofit installation faces structural challenges.
Our expert engineering team can assess your building and recommend the most appropriate solution based on unique conditions and requirements.
Download Our Product Catalogue
Discover our complete range of engineered height safety products and systems for façade access and building maintenance.
CERTIFICATIONS & COMPLIANCE
Independently Tested to Meet Industrial Rope Access Standards
Just like traditional davit systems, Anchor Connect meets the same rigorous safety standards as traditional davit systems. All components are independently tested by DEKRA Exam GmbH and certified to relevant British and European standards.
SAFETY STANDARDS & CERTIFICATIONS
BS 8610:2017:
Safety nets and collective safeguarding systems. Application Code 3 (Industrial Rope Access/Work Positioning) requires anchor points to withstand static loads of 15kN. The system also meets requirements for Application Code 5 (Rescue) and Code 7 (Evacuation).
EN 795:2012:
Personal fall protection equipment – Anchor devices. Mandates 12kN static load capacity with dynamic load testing to verify performance during fall arrest scenarios.
BS 7883:2019:
Code of practice for the design of fall protection systems. Provides guidance on anchor point selection, positioning, clearance requirements, and inspection protocols.
Load Capacity
Anchor Connect configurations are tested and certified to withstand the forces generated during both routine rope access work and emergency rescues. In these scenarios, multiple ropes may be loaded simultaneously. This makes the load distribution capability provided by the adjustable supporting leg critical.
The system's dual integral lugs enable proper "rig for rescue" configurations recommended by best practice guidance, allowing independent rescue lines to be established without interfering with the primary working ropes.
FAQS
Anchor Connect Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common technical and practical questions about the DavitPro Anchor Connect system.
Anchor Connect is a roof-mounted anchor system positioned away from the building edge, rather than fixed at the perimeter like a traditional davit.
Instead of concentrating loads at the parapet, Anchor Connect uses an engineered rigging arm support and leg to extend safely to the facade. This reduces structural demand on the edge and makes it ideal where edge-mounted davits are not feasible.
It delivers the same safe, compliant rope access capability, just with greater flexibility in anchor location.
Anchor Connect is typically chosen when:
- The building edge cannot support a davit
- Structural capacity at the perimeter is unknown or limited
- The roof edge is congested with plant or services
- Archtectural or waterproofing constaints prevent edge installation
- You are retrofitting facade access to en existing building
If traditional davits would require structural strengthening or complex edge works, Anchor Connect often provides a more practical and cost-effective alternative.
To confirm suitability, we review:
- Roof construction (concrete, steel, slab thickness)
- Structural drawings or calculations (if available)
- Distance from anchor point position to façade
- Rooftop obstructions and access routes
- Intended frequency of use
if drawings aren't available, we can carry out a structural site survey and provide certified calculations to ensure the system is safe and compliant.
On equipment cost alone, Anchor Connect is usually more expensive than a basic davit arm.
However, when traditional davits require structural strengthening, relovation of plant, or complex edge works, Anchor Connect can reduce the total project cost significantly.
We always assess the full facade access solution, not just the hardware price, to identify the most cost-effective compliant solution.
Yes. Anchor Connect supports te same rope access applications as traditional davit systems, including:
- Windo cleaning
- Façade inspection and maintenance
- Building services access
- Resuce configurations
It is designed and certified to the same relevant standards and provides equivalent safety performance.
Anchor Connect is designed and installed in line with recognised UK standards for fall protection and rope access systems, including:
- BS 7883 (Anchor device design and installation)
- BS EN 795
- Relevant Work at Height Regulations
We provide full structural calculations and certification documentation for audit-ready compliance.
Users must be qualified in rope access (typically IRATA certified) and receive system-specific training on Anchor Connect deployment and inspection.
We can provide familiarisation training to ensure safe setup, correct load distribution, and compliant operation.
Like all fall protection systems, Anchor Connect requires:
- Pre-use checks before every deployment
- A formal inspection at least every 12-monhts under BS 7883
-Additional inspection after any fall arrest event
We offer annual inspection and recertification services to maintain compliance.
Relocation is possible but must be treated as a new engineered installation.
Structural capacity at the new location must be verified, and new calculations and certification are required. In many cases, relocation costs are comparable to a new installation, so we assess both options to determine the best route.
Still have questions?
Our in-house engineering team is here to help. Contact us for project-specific technical guidance, bespoke solutions, or to discuss your façade access requirements.
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