DAC-HB Confined Space Davit Arm System with Non-Penetrating H-Base
The Frontline DAC-HB is a high-strength aluminum davit arm system mounted to a non-penetrating modular H-base for confined-space entry and rescue without drilling concrete or fastening to the substrate. The cantilever boom adjusts to three pin-locked reach positions and swivels a full 360 degrees, while the H-base levels on uneven ground with screw-type feet and a provided spirit level so the system sets up next to manholes, vaults, and vessel openings that no permanent anchor was ever planned for.
Configured per project as a stand-alone davit, a davit plus 60 ft winch, or a complete davit plus winch plus 3-Way SRL rescue package. Rated for 310 lb single-user load and qualified to ANSI Z359.18-2017 Type A via independent SATRA Technology Centre testing of the DAC-HB configuration.
Who Needs a Non-Penetrating H-Base Davit
If you have confined-space entries where drilling a permanent anchor is not allowed, not practical, or not worth it, the H-base is the answer. Leased sites, historic structures, post-tensioned slabs, roof decks, gravel pads, contractor jobs that rotate across multiple openings in a week: in all of those cases a floor-mounted DAC-FL is a non-starter because the anchor would have to stay behind. The DAC-HB sets up next to the opening, levels itself on uneven ground with screw-type feet, takes its load from counterweights instead of concrete fasteners, and breaks down for transport when the work is done. The boom, mast, and connection geometry are identical to the DAC-FL and DAC-WL siblings; the H-base just replaces the floor plate with a portable footprint that is loaded for the site by a qualified person.
Watch: Frontline MEGApod Davit Arm System Overview
Non-Penetrating Setup
The DAC-HBASE is a modular H-frame that takes its load from counterweights, not from concrete fasteners. No drilling, no chemical anchors, no permanent footprint left behind when the work is done.
Levels on Uneven Ground
Each leg has a screw-type adjustable foot and the kit ships with a spirit level. The base levels the mast plumb on rough gravel, sloped decks, tilted concrete, or any surface where a fixed-height plate would put the boom out of vertical.
Tool-Free Assembly
The DAC-36BOOM, DAC-54MAST, and DAC-HBASE join with quick-release locking pins. Side legs slot into the center leg's sockets, span adjusts on discrete points, then a locking pin secures the geometry.
Adjustable Span
Multiple discrete adjustment points along each side leg let the operator widen or narrow the base footprint to clear the opening and place counterweights where the site allows. A locking pin secures the span at each step.
Three Reach Positions
The boom pins into upper (91 in / 26 in vertical), middle (80 in / 33 in vertical), or lower (68 in / 36 in vertical) positions. The H-base raises the mast pivot so each pin yields more horizontal reach than the equivalent DAC-FL or DAC-WL setting.
360-Degree Swivel
The mast rotates a full 360 degrees on the H-base. A removable locking pin pegs the boom at any orientation so workers can be retrieved and swung clear of the opening before being lowered to the deck.
Five Anchorage Points
Four fixed connection points on the boom plus a dedicated winch attachment point. Combine an SRL on a fixed point with a winch on the winch port for true entry-plus-rescue redundancy.
Pre-Drilled Winch & SRL Brackets
The mast ships with pre-installed brackets for the RUW60 personnel winch and the RPG603W 3-Way SRL retrieval bracket. No field drilling, no shimming, no on-site fabrication when you scale up the configuration.
Powder-Coated Aluminum
High-strength aluminum alloy with a powder-coat finish for corrosion resistance in pulp and paper, wastewater, and chemical environments where carbon-steel davits would rust through.
System Configurations
Choose the tier that matches your rescue plan. All three configurations share the same DAC-36BOOM boom, DAC-54MAST mast, and DAC-HBASE non-penetrating H-base. Counterweights ship separately and are sized for the site by a qualified person.
| Configuration | DAC-36BOOM | DAC-54MAST | DAC-HBASE | RUW60 Winch | RPG603W 3-Way SRL | 3-Way Bracket | Kit Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System (DAC-HB) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | . | . | . | 71.8 lb |
| + Winch (DAC-HB-WINCH) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | . | . | 97.8 lb |
| + Winch + 3-Way SRL (DAC-HB-WINCH-3WAY) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 129.8 lb |
Kit weights exclude counterweights. The non-penetrating H-base is loaded for the specific site by a qualified person per the rescue plan; counterweight mass is set by that calculation and is not a fixed kit value.
Technical Specifications
| Mounting Option | Non-Penetrating modular H-Base (DAC-HBASE). No drilling, no chemical anchors, no fasteners required at the substrate |
|---|---|
| Material | High-Strength Aluminum Alloy |
| Finish | Powder Coated |
| Assembled Dimensions | 65.5 in L x 55.25 in W x 68 in H |
| User Capacity | 310 lb (1 user, including clothing and tools) |
| Breaking Strength | 15 kN |
| Anchorage Strength | 5,000 lb (23 kN) |
| Cantilever Reach: Upper Position | 91 in horizontal reach / 26 in vertical drop |
| Cantilever Reach: Middle Position | 80 in horizontal reach / 33 in vertical drop |
| Cantilever Reach: Lower Position | 68 in horizontal reach / 36 in vertical drop |
| Swivel | 360 degrees with removable locking pin |
| Connection Points | 4 fixed boom points + 1 dedicated winch attachment |
| H-Base Levelling | Screw-type adjustable feet on each leg with provided spirit level. Sets up on level or uneven ground |
| Span Adjustment | Multiple discrete adjustment points along each side leg, secured by a locking pin |
| Counterweights | Required for non-penetrating use. Quantity and total mass per the site-specific rescue plan documented by a qualified person; counterweights ship separately |
| Free-Fall Limit | 6 ft (1.8 m) maximum per ANSI Z359.1 |
| Spec-Sheet Weight | 71.8 lb (Tier 1 System bare kit, excluding counterweights). Tier 2 + Winch: 97.8 lb. Tier 3 + Winch + 3-Way SRL: 129.8 lb |
| Design Lifespan | 10 years from date of manufacture |
| Country of Origin | Imported |
SINGLE-USER RATING: The DAC-HB is rated for one user at a time with a maximum capacity of 310 lb including the worker, clothing, tools, and any attached equipment. Do not connect a second user, a second SRL with an active fall load, or any rescue payload that would put the system above 310 lb. Two-person operations require a second, independent anchorage.
OSHA 1910 + 1926
Meets OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (general industry) and 29 CFR 1926 (construction) requirements for personal fall arrest anchorage when installed per the user manual with the counterweight load specified by a qualified person.
ANSI Z359.18-2017 Type A
Qualified as a fixed anchorage connector under ANSI Z359.18-2017 Type A via independent SATRA Technology Centre testing. SATRA report 50651/1 specifically tested the DAC-HB configuration as the reference test article for the family.
ANSI Z359.1 Free-Fall Limit
System engineered to a 6 ft (1.8 m) free-fall limit per ANSI Z359.1. Use only with personal fall arrest connectors that respect this free-fall envelope.
Independent Test Lab
The DAC-HB was tested by SATRA Technology Centre Ltd, an independent ISO 17025 accredited test facility based in Kettering, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom. SATRA report number 50651/1 covers the DAC-HB configuration directly, with test work performed between 7 May 2021 and 6 January 2022.
The DAC-HB serves as the reference test article for the MEGApod davit family. The DAC-36BOOM cantilever arm and DAC-54MAST mast components are common to the DAC-FL and DAC-WL siblings, so SATRA report 50651/1 qualifies the full DAC family davit arm and mast assembly under ANSI Z359.18-2017 Type A.
For full test methodology, load values, and acceptance criteria, see the linked Test Report PDF in the Submittals section below.
Typical Applications
Installation Overview (Non-Penetrating H-Base)
Full setup must be performed by a qualified person per the Frontline MEGApod Davit User Manual. The steps below summarize the H-base assembly sequence; refer to the linked User Manual PDF for component-by-component diagrams, pin orientation, and the counterweight load calculation that must be completed before use.
- Place the side adjustable assemblies on the ground. Lay out the two side legs flat at the entry location with the adjustment slots accessible.
- Insert the side legs into the center leg's sockets. Slide each side leg into the matching socket on the center leg of the H-base to form the H footprint.
- Adjust the span. Move each side leg to the discrete adjustment point that gives the span needed to clear the opening and place counterweights where the site allows.
- Lock the side legs. Insert the locking pin at each side-leg adjustment point to secure the span. The pins prevent the legs from creeping under load.
- Stabilize on the surface. Set the screw-type adjustable feet on each leg and use the provided spirit level to bring the center leg socket plumb. The screw feet take up uneven ground, sloped decks, and rough surfaces.
- Tighten side-leg locking screws. Snug the side-leg locking screws to minimize play in the assembled base before any vertical load is applied.
- Place the DAC-54MAST onto the center socket. Drop the mast column into the center leg's socket and secure with the column locking pin.
- Attach the DAC-36BOOM. Pin the cantilever arm onto the mast at the upper, middle, or lower position appropriate for the work.
- Install the winch / SRL bracket as configured. For DAC-HB-WINCH and DAC-HB-WINCH-3WAY kits, mount the RUW60 winch and/or RPG603W 3-Way SRL to the pre-drilled mast brackets.
- Add counterweights per the site rescue plan. Place the counterweight quantity and mass specified by a qualified person on the H-base legs before any user connects to the system. Verify the spirit level still reads plumb after weighting.
- Pre-use functional check. Cycle the swivel, exercise the winch, and inspect every connection before authorizing the first entry.
Inspection & Retirement
Per the Frontline MEGApod Davit User Manual, the DAC-HB requires three inspection cadences:
- Pre-use inspection by the authorized user before every entry. Check the H-base side-leg locking pins, the side-leg locking screws, the screw-type feet, the spirit level reading, the column locking pin, the cantilever pin, the swivel pin, the counterweight placement, and all connection points for deformation, corrosion, or cracking.
- Six-month formal inspection by a competent person other than the user. Document findings; retire any component showing fastener fatigue, weld cracking, deformation of the mast, boom, or H-base, thread damage on the screw feet, or wear on the connection points.
- Annual qualified-person examination covering structural integrity of the H-base assembly, side-leg pin wear, screw-foot thread engagement, and full system functional test.
Maximum service life is 10 years from the date of manufacture printed on the product label, assuming the inspection program is followed and no event removes the system from service earlier. Retire immediately after any fall arrest event.
Calculating Fall Clearance
Fall clearance is the vertical distance required below the worker to safely arrest a fall without striking the ground or a lower level. For davit-mounted SRL or winch retrieval setups, the worker is typically suspended directly below the boom tip, but the SRL deployment distance, harness stretch, and safety margin still apply. Confined-space depths often exceed the SRL stop distance, so verify clearance against the actual opening depth before authorizing entry. Use the Fall Protection Game Plan below to model the worker's specific configuration.
Fall ProtectionDistributors, LLC Free Tool · No Signup · OSHA 1926.502 Free Interactive Tool Fall Protection Calculator Pick your system. Run the math. Generate a plan. 1 Pick Your System Determine fall restraint vs. fall arrest based on your work surface, edge access, and clearance. 2 Run the Math Calculate exact fall clearance required below the work surface for your SRL or lanyard setup. 3 Generate a Plan Get a printable OSHA-compliant Fall Protection Plan structured around 29 CFR 1926.502(k).
Frequently Asked Questions
Submittals & Documentation
DAC-HB Spec Sheet (PDF) Dimensions, materials, capacities, and configurations for the non-penetrating H-base davit system. MEGApod Davit User Manual (PDF) Installation, inspection, and retirement guidance covering DAC-FL, DAC-WL, and DAC-HB. MEGApod Davit Test Report (PDF) SATRA report 50651/1 covering the DAC-HB test article, performed 7 May 2021 to 6 January 2022. The report qualifies the boom and mast assembly common to the DAC family. Frontline Catalog (PDF) Complete Frontline Fall Protection product catalog including the full MEGApod confined-space family.Related Frontline Confined-Space & Rescue Products
- Frontline DAC-FL Confined Space Davit Arm System with Floor Mount. Same boom and mast on a chemical-anchor floor base plate for permanent installations on concrete or steel substrates.
- Frontline DAC-WL Confined Space Davit Arm System with Wall Mount. Same boom and mast on a wall-mount base plate for vertical structural attachment.
- Frontline RUW60 60 ft Personnel Winch. The compatible winch shipped with the DAC-HB-WINCH and DAC-HB-WINCH-3WAY configurations.
- Frontline RPG603W 3-Way Self-Retracting Lifeline. The 3-Way SRL shipped with the DAC-HB-WINCH-3WAY configuration.
- Frontline TAN07 Confined Space Tripod. Portable tripod alternative for shallow or temporary confined-space work where a davit reach is not required.
- Frontline TAN07RU Tripod with Winch. Tripod and winch combination for sites that need full portability without the cantilever boom geometry.
- Frontline Patriot TAN07-US Confined Space Tripod. Buy American sourced tripod alternative for federal and Buy American projects.
Specifying a Non-Penetrating Davit?
Confirm the counterweight load, surface conditions, and configuration tier for your site before you order. Our team will walk through the rescue plan, span requirements, and counterweight quantity with you so the right system ships the first time.
Call 863-703-4522 to talk through your project.
