Via ferrata sets with symmetrical arms 2012

STUBAI are issuing a precautionary product recall for the following Ferrata sets

• Stubai Ferrata Connect Compact (Art. 988470) with serial number RP498
• Stubai Ferrata Connect Flex (Art. 988450) with serial number RP499

The serial number for these two models can be found on a label on the tie-in sling.

ATTENTION: this model was sold in 2012 only!

The reason for the recall is this - in the course of long-term stress tests, it was discovered that the elastic arms fail to meet newest safety standards after intensive use.

Please send back any affected sets immediately, enclosing a filled out recall-form.

We will conduct a safety audit, replace the karabiner arms, and return the sets to you as soon as possible.

Our products are all developed, produced and certified according to the latest technical standards. They meet all legal norms and requirements. In this case however, recent advances in testing procedures have highlighted the potential of a weakening of the karabiner arms in these two models.

Safety is always our top priority at STUBAI. We are taking these radical steps to eliminate any element of risk for our users.

This precautionary recall affects only the Stubai Ferrata sets named above, marked as stated on the tie-in sling. All other sets with ripstop-brake which do NOT have this marking remain unaffected by the precautionary recall and can be used as before, according to the relevant safety instructions. -> Check the product pictures in green circles!

ATTENTION: If you own a STUBAI via ferrata set with rope-brake please continue to read the following statement:

Over the course of thorough testing of old, used via ferrata sets, the Mountain Sport Industry has reached the conclusion that friction brakes (rope brakes) on used ferrata sets can fail in the event of a fall. A friction brake is a holed aluminium plate, through which a brake rope runs.

The tests have shown that the risk of jolting can be increased in the event of a fall. Should this combine with a weakening resulting from normal wear and tear (dirt, UV-light, moisture, etc.), this can lead to a total failure of the system. This in turn can lead to serious injury or even death. State of the art sets with ripstop-brakes like our Stubai Connect Compact Tube ref. 988472 offer a much more steady performance.

To eliminate any element of risk to our clients, we are issuing the following safety warning:

All via ferrata sets from STUBAI with FRICTION BRAKES (rope-brakes), regardless of model or serial number must no longer be used!

All users have to remove sets with friction brakes from service!

General guideline for the LIFE-SPAN of a STUBAI ferrata set:

The lifespan of the product is dependant on usage, and can not be exactly defined. As a rule, with average usage, you can reckon with 5 years. Infrequent use (once a year) can extend the lifespan to up to 10 years. Frequent (daily) use will reduce the lifespan to a maximum of 5 months. With unusually hard use and heavy wear, these times can be drastically reduced – in extreme cases to just a single use.

You should definately get rid of your set:

· if the stitching is damaged
· if one of the karabiners is damaged
· after a fall
· if it is strongly contaminated with oil, sand, grease etc
· if it has had contact with chemicals
· if the bands look pilled or shaggy
· after exposure to heat (eg friction)
· if there is evidence of strong UV exposure

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us:

Stubai ZMV GMBH
Dr. Kofler Str. 1
6166 Fulpmes / Austria

Tel.: +43 (0)5225 6960-65
Fax: +43 (0)5225 6960-12

Should you have any doubt about your Stubai via ferrata set feel free to send an e-mail to the address above with a picture of your set. We will inform you about further steps then!

We thank for your time and understanding and we apologize for the inconvenience!

With best wishes from Tirol
Your STUBAI Mountaineering Team