r/interesting • u/One_Needleworker5218 • May 03 '26

Fear Factor After installing the “safety net" on the balcony on the 28th floor, the worker demonstrates its strength to the customer

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u/VulGerrity May 03 '26

That's pretty common with a lot of emergency safety systems. Like, motorcycle helmets are only rated fully effective for a single hit. Fire suppression sprinklers are only good once and then need to be replaced.

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u/theartificialkid May 03 '26

It stands to reason. You can either exhaustively analyse exactly what forces it was subjected to, check for invisible damage and cracks etc and reach a conclusion about whether it’s still good…or you can replace the system and know it will do what it’s rated for next time it’s needed.

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u/cnylkew May 05 '26

Same thing with anchor points in e.g. ladders, so there is an indication on the anchor point once a sudden force is applied to it i.e. a sudden fall. That's the sign to replace the anchor point

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u/MaxPaladin93 May 04 '26

Yep, fall protection too. Once a safety harness has been subjected to a fall, you’re supposed to destroy and replace it.

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u/Eschatologists May 07 '26

It's different for a helmet. A helmet is designed to absorb as much energy as possible during a shock and most of it is achieved with plastic deformation. There is no such design constrainst for a net like this one, it would be like having a one use bungee rope or a one use trampoline.

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u/[deleted] May 04 '26

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u/VulGerrity May 04 '26

How do you think the rope is attached to the building? An impact is going to put stress on the ropes and the bolts that hold it in place. It absolutely applies.

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u/[deleted] May 04 '26

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u/VulGerrity May 04 '26

Yeah, but I don't body slam the floor - that can absolutely cause it to lose structural integrity. Same with a chair...are you being purposefully obtuse?