Stainless Steel U-Shaped Brake Bar w/ Groove

Aluminum vs. stainless steel?

• Aluminum is lighter.
• Aluminum is less costly.
• Aluminum provides greater levels of friction.
• Stainless steel is more durable, handles additional heat developed under heavy loads and on longer rappel.
• Stainless steel allows for a smoother/faster rappel.
• Stainless steel helps keep ropes “cleaner” and lasts longer.

Why use the different styles of bars?

• Tie-Off Bars provide added friction/control and facilitate lock-off of rope to maintain position and/or hold a load.
• Bars with the “training” groove are be used as 1st or 2nd bar to help keep ropes aligned properly.
• Bars with angled slot are designed to “snap” onto rack frame for more secure placement.
• Bars with straight slot are designed for added safety so that the rack may not be loaded backwards.
• U shaped stainless steel bars are designed to help dissipate heat and reduce weight. (Note – please refer to warning on the use of U shaped bars with tie-off bars.)

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• SMC Brake Bars are aluminum or stainless steel and available in a variety of styles and sizes.
• SMC Aluminum brake bars are available in  7/8”.
• SMC Aluminum brake bars available with straight or angled slot and with or without “training” groove.
• SMC Stainless steel brake bars are available as U-shaped or tubular style and with or without a “training” groove.
• SMC Stainless steel Tie-Off Bars (aka Hyperbars) are designed to facilitate quick and easy lock-off.
• SMC Stainless steel Tie-off Bars aid in creating greater compression on other bars for better friction control.
• SMC racks & bars may be purchased separately so that the user may have a greater range of set-up configurations tailored to meet their individual needs for non-NFPA applications and as replacement parts.

IMPORTANT CAUTIONARY NOTE – Do not use a Tie-Off Bar to slow your descent when using the U-shape brake bars as the friction resulting when the rope passes over the straight edge of the brake bar may cause excessive wear and/or damage to the rope with the potential for system failure.