On sites where precast concrete elements are erected, safety during work at height must be managed without slowing down the erection sequence or creating unnecessary obstructions on the working surface.
The Elastico 10 fall-arrest system developed by B.S. Italia addresses this requirement through a configuration comprising a post, cable and Tubo Ancora, designed to be installed directly on the precast element before it is lifted into position.
The value of the system lies not only in operator protection, but also in the practical management of erection operations: rapid installation, clear access across the element, adjustment to the direction of the line and the possibility of reusing the post and cable during the different stages of site progress.
A fall-arrest line installed before erection
One of the main operational advantages of Elastico 10 is that the fall-arrest line can be installed at ground level before the precast element is lifted and positioned.
This approach allows an important part of the safety arrangements to be completed in advance, rather than installing the protection only after the element has been lifted into position. The line can therefore be prepared under more controlled conditions, reducing the activities that need to be carried out directly at height.
On erection sites, this feature allows the structure to progress with protection already integrated into the element. Beams, roof elements and multi-storey structures can be managed through a more orderly sequence in which safety forms part of the erection process from the earliest operational stages.
Rapid installation of the post on the Tubo Ancora
Elastico 10 is designed to simplify the connection between the post and the precast element.
The system uses the Tubo Ancora embedded in the concrete element as the connection point for the post. The installation sequence is direct: insertion of the stem, rotation of the post, engagement of the safety collar and tightening of the nut at the base.
This configuration reduces the number of operations required on site and provides a rapid and controlled connection between the post and the element. The simplicity of the sequence is particularly important on sites where erection times must be coordinated with lifting, handling and the progress of the installation teams.
The speed of the system should not be understood as a simplification of safety requirements, but as the result of a configuration designed to make the installation of the fall-arrest system on precast elements more efficient.
Clear walking access without stays or inclined cables
During the erection of precast elements, the surface available for operators to walk on is an important operational consideration.
Elastico 10 is designed to provide clear walking access across the element by eliminating the need for stays and inclined cables to secure the post. This configuration reduces obstructions on the working surface and allows operators to move more continuously along the element.
The flexible anchorage line is positioned to protect the operator without unnecessarily occupying the available space. The system therefore helps keep the access area clearer and reduces interference during work at height.
Installing the system offset from the beam axis can further improve the usable walking surface, increasing the space effectively available to operators during erection and subsequent operations.
Side bracket for a clear walking surface
Where required by the geometry of the element or the operating conditions on site, Elastico 10 can be used with a side bracket.
The side bracket allows the post to be positioned outside the element, freeing additional surface area for walking access. This solution maintains the operating principle of the system while increasing the space available on the beam or precast element.
The benefit is particularly evident where the upper surface of the element must remain as free from obstructions as possible. By moving the post towards the outside, the side bracket improves access across the working surface and makes it easier for operators to pass.
The availability of this accessory allows Elastico 10 to be adapted to different operating conditions without altering the overall system logic.
Post rotation up to 90° and alignment with the line
Under actual site conditions, the position of the insert within the element may not always align perfectly with the theoretical direction of the line.
To manage this condition, Elastico 10 incorporates a rotating bush within the post. This allows the post to be aligned with the direction of the line even when the Tubo Ancora is rotated by a few degrees or by up to 90° from the intended configuration.
The ability to rotate the post provides both technical and operational advantages, as it allows the system to accommodate normal manufacturing and installation tolerances, reducing difficulties when connecting the post, insert and fall-arrest line.
The system therefore remains functional even where minor deviations are present, simplifying management of the line and allowing site operations to progress more efficiently.
Continuous protection as erection progresses
Elastico 10 is designed to follow the erection sequence of precast elements.
During the erection of beams, roof elements and roofing structures, the fall-arrest line can be installed on the elements before lifting and remain in place during the subsequent stages of work. This makes it possible to maintain continuous protection as the site progresses, avoiding operational interruptions or less controlled temporary solutions.
In multi-storey structures, perimeter safety lines can be installed and left in place to manage subsequent operations more systematically, while maintaining access across the floor and protecting operators throughout the different construction stages.
The system therefore supports not only an individual work position, but the overall organisation of the erection sequence.
Recoverable components and reuse during different site stages
Elastico 10 consists of components that perform different functions within the erection process.
The Tubo Ancora is integrated into the precast element, while the post and cable are recoverable components. This configuration allows the system to be reused during the different stages of the project, moving and repositioning it as the work progresses.
The ability to dismantle and reuse the post and cable makes the system suitable for dynamic sites where elements are installed sequentially and protection must follow the operational pace of erection.
Reusing the components also contributes to more orderly equipment management on site, reducing the need to provide different solutions for each stage of installation.
Elastico 10 within B.S. Italia safety systems for precast elements
Within the safety systems for precast elements developed by B.S. Italia, Elastico 10 is designed to integrate fall protection into the actual erection sequence.
The ability to install the line before lifting, the rapid installation of the post on the Tubo Ancora, the absence of stays and inclined cables, the side bracket for increasing clear walking access and the rotation of the post by up to 90° allow safety to be managed more consistently with site requirements.
Operator protection is therefore not treated as separate from erection operations, but as an integral part of the installation process for precast concrete elements.
Frequently asked questions
When can the Elastico 10 fall-arrest line be installed?
The fall-arrest line can be installed at ground level before the precast element is lifted and positioned.
How is the post connected to the precast element?
The post is connected to the Tubo Ancora embedded in the concrete element through insertion of the stem, rotation of the post, engagement of the safety collar and tightening of the nut at the base.
How does Elastico 10 provide clear walking access?
The system eliminates the need for stays and inclined cables, reducing obstructions on the working surface. Offset installation and the side bracket can further increase the space available to operators.
Can the post be aligned with the direction of the fall-arrest line?
Yes. The rotating bush allows the post to be aligned even when the Tubo Ancora is rotated by a few degrees or by up to 90° from the intended configuration.
Which Elastico 10 components can be reused?
The Tubo Ancora remains integrated into the precast element, while the post and cable are recoverable and can be reused during different stages of the project.
