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TECHNote™
CARABINER MAINTENANCE & INSPECTION
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Maintenance of Carabiners
Keep carabiners dry and clean. Protect carabiners from corrosion.
Do not store in humid or salty air, with damp clothing, or near corrosive
chemicals. Do not file, engrave, etch or modify carabiners for any reason.
Sand any burrs with 220-400 grade sandpaper. If this does not remove the
burr, destroy the carabiner.
If a carabiner gate sticks, use an air hose to blow grit out of
the mechanism, wash it in warm, soapy water, rinse thoroughly and
lubricate with dry graphite around the hinge area, inside the spring hole
and locking mechanism. Perform the 3 step inspection process outlined
below before each use. Please remember that some environmental effects
such as salt water can shorten the life of your carabiner and cause
premature failure.
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Inspection of Carabiners
All carabiners should be closely inspected
- at purchase
- before each use
- after dropping or shock loading.
There are 3 simple steps for inspecting carabiners before
each use:
- All surfaces of the carabiner should be free of cracks,
sharp edges, corrosion, burrs, or excessive wear.
- Gate opening and closing should be quick and easy. Be sure
the gate and any locking mechanism closes freely and completely.
- Rivets should not be bent, loose or missing.
If your carabiner does not pass the above inspection, remove it
from service and destroy it. A
carabiner is a life support product!
Limitations and Proper Use of Carabiners
All carabiners are designed with specific applications in mind.
Many factors are taken into consideration during the design such as
technique, environment, load directions, safety and performance. Please be
aware of the designed use, load limitations and proper technique. Do not
overload a carabiner. Carabiners can and will fail under improper use such
as cross loading, edge loading, gate open loading, loading from more than
2 directions, etc. If you are not sure of proper application or technique,
seek proper training in carabiner use and technical rope applications.
Information
provided by Omega Pacific, Inc.
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