Patented · CW1WB The original water-filled, non-penetrating fall protection anchor — ships at 25 lbs, deploys to 882 lbs in 10 minutes. The Frontline EcoAnchor (model CW1WB) uses gravity and friction instead of fasteners, drills, or roof penetrations to create a secure tie-off point. Fire-resistant neoprene reinforced with nylon, 3,600 lb breaking strength, OSHA 1910 / 1926 compliant, EN 795 Class E certified, protected under patent GB 2467367. Ideal for flat commercial roofs, green roofs, EPDM, mineral felts, concrete, and metal deck where a penetration is a deal-breaker.
3,600lb Breaking Strength
882lb Filled Weight
25lb Empty Weight
10min Fill Time
0 Roof Penetrations
Why Contractors Specify the EcoAnchor for Sensitive Roofs
Most fall protection anchors require drilling, bolting, or clamping — all of which void roof warranties on TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, and other membrane systems. The Frontline EcoAnchor solves that problem with physics: 882 lbs of water held inside a neoprene-and-nylon bladder, sitting on a high-friction footprint. No holes, no fasteners, no warranty calls.
Ships compact in its included carry bag at 25 lbs empty. One worker carries it onto the roof. Connect a standard garden hose, fill until water flows from the diagonally opposite vent, and you have a 882-lb anchor point ready for action — in about 10 minutes. After the job, drain through the cap, fold, roll, and stow. Reusable across hundreds of jobsites, with a manufacturer-stated minimum 5-year service life when properly inspected and stored.
Key Features of the Frontline EcoAnchor
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Non-Penetrating Water-Filled Design Patented water-bladder anchor (Patent No. GB 2467367) creates a secure tie-off using 882 lbs of water weight and the natural friction of its neoprene base. Zero holes, zero fasteners, zero warranty issues with the roof membrane.
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3,600 lb Breaking Strength Manufacturer-tested breaking strength of 3,600 lbs. Compatible with fall arrest and restraint devices that limit loads below 6 kN (about 1,349 lbf) per the user manual.
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Fire-Resistant Neoprene Construction Bladder is fire-resistant neoprene reinforced with nylon. Puncture resistance meets FED STD 191 Part 1520 (>700N). Built for heat, weather, and the day-to-day abuse of jobsite reuse.
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10-Minute Deploy Time Fills with cold water from a standard garden hose (16-20 mm OD spout). Filling is complete when water flows from the diagonally opposite vent valve. No pumps, no compressed air, no specialty tools.
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Compact Transport & Storage Ships at 25 lbs empty, folds back into its included holdall after draining. Fits in a truck bed or service van between jobs without taking up half the cargo space.
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Single Tie-Off or Two-Anchor HLL Use one EcoAnchor as a single-point tie-off, or pair two as the end anchors of a two-person horizontal lifeline (HLL) system designed for deadweight anchors. Verify HLL compatibility and recalculate fall clearance for deadweight-anchor deflection before deploying.
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EN 795 Class E + OSHA Compliant Independently designed to meet BS EN 795:1997 Class E (the European deadweight anchor standard) and OSHA 1910 (general industry) and 1926 (construction) compliance requirements. CE 0120 conformity mark. Patent GB 2467367.
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Reusable for 5+ Years Manufacturer-stated minimum lifespan of 5 years from first put into service when inspected per manual. Periodic inspection every 12 months (every 6 months in harsh or off-shore environments) by a competent person.
How to Deploy the EcoAnchor — 10 Minutes, Start to Anchor
Follow the manufacturer's user manual for full instructions and inspect the anchor before each use. The steps below summarize the deployment workflow. Pre-use inspection by a Competent Person is required.
What You NeedStandard garden hose (16–20 mm OD); approved full-body harness meeting EN 361; energy-absorbing lanyard meeting EN 355 or compatible Frontline FAB SRL meeting EN 360. Your roof must be EPDM, mineral felt, concrete, or metal deck. Surface must be clean, dry, and free of ice, snow, oil, gravel, or debris.
- Inspect & PositionRemove from carry bag, unfold, and position to maximize roof contact. Stay at least 8.2 ft (2.5 m) from the roof edge with at least 11.5 ft (3.5 m) of ground clearance below. Avoid bolts, ridges, projections, and any area where water collects. Vent valve must be at the highest corner; drain at the lowest point.
- Connect Garden HoseRemove the rubber bung from the filler spout and insert a hose with a 16–20 mm outside diameter. Cold water only.
- Fill Until Vent OverflowsFilling is complete when water begins flowing from the diagonally opposite vent valve. This confirms the anchor has reached its full 882 lb working weight with no trapped air.
- Detach & SealSqueeze the spout, remove the hose, and replace the bung. Exhaust any remaining air through the vent.
- Connect & Inspect Tie-OffAttach an approved EN 355 energy-absorbing lanyard or compatible EN 360 Frontline FAB SRL to the swiveling eye bolt. Confirm total fall clearance accounts for free fall (max per OSHA), deceleration distance, harness stretch, deadweight-anchor deflection, and the required 11.5 ft ground clearance.
- Daily Recheck If Left FilledIf the anchor is left in position more than 24 hours, inspect daily for leakage by ensuring the material near the vent stays taut. If necessary, refill until water again flows from the vent.
- Drain & Stow After UseUnscrew the drain cap, lift to remove residual water, dry the external surface, fold twice, roll lengthways, secure with the fitted straps, and return to the holdall.
⚠ Roof Slope — Read Before Ordering
The EcoAnchor exceeds EN 795 Class E by working at slopes greater than 5°. The manufacturer permits use up to 15° on certain compatible surfaces. However, any installation at slopes above 5° requires prior consultation and written approval from Frontline Fall Protection — this is non-negotiable per the user manual.
Approved substrates: EPDM, mineral felts, concrete, and metal deck. Not approved for PVC, painted surfaces, oil-contaminated surfaces, or any membrane that becomes slippery when wet. Do not use if ice or snow is present (see freezing-temperature FAQ below). For approval on slopes above 5°, call us at 863-703-4522 or contact Frontline Fall Protection directly.
User Capacity — Two Ratings, One Product The EcoAnchor carries two user-weight ratings depending on which compliance standard governs your jobsite: OSHA 1910 / 1926 jobsites use the manufacturer's 310 lb user capacity (one worker, including tools and equipment). EN 795:1997 Class E jobsites use the European standard's 100 kg (220 lb) maximum user weight per the CE 0120 label. Both ratings appear in the official documentation. Use the rating that applies to your jurisdiction. If you're unsure which applies to your project, call us before ordering.
Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Detail |
| Model |
Frontline EcoAnchor |
| SKU |
CW1WB |
| Anchor Type |
Non-penetrating, water-filled deadweight anchor |
| Breaking Strength |
3,600 lbs (manufacturer-tested) |
| User Capacity (OSHA) |
310 lbs (one worker, including tools) |
| User Capacity (EN 795) |
100 kg / 220 lbs (per CE 0120 label) |
| Empty Weight |
25.1 lbs (11.4 kg) |
| Filled Weight |
882 lbs (400 kg) |
| Dimensions (Filled) |
57" × 57" × 7.8" (1.45 m × 1.45 m × 0.2 m) |
| Material |
Fire-resistant neoprene reinforced with nylon |
| Pressure Loading |
0.42 lb/in² (2.7 kN/m²) |
| Puncture Resistance |
FED STD 191 Part 1520 (>700N) |
| Approved Substrates |
EPDM, mineral felts, concrete, metal deck |
| Maximum Roof Slope |
Up to 15° with manufacturer approval (above 5° requires consultation) |
| Minimum Edge Distance |
2.5 m (8.2 ft) |
| Minimum Ground Clearance |
3.5 m (11.5 ft) |
| Compatible Connector Load Limit |
6 kN (about 1,349 lbf) |
| Compatible Connector Standards |
EN 355 lanyards, EN 360 SRLs (Frontline FAB), EN 353-2 fall arresters |
| Fill Time |
About 10 minutes with standard garden hose |
| Hose Compatibility |
16–20 mm outside diameter |
| Use Restrictions |
Not for use in frost, ice, or snow; not for explosive environments |
| Compliance Standards |
EN 795:1997 Class E, OSHA 1910, OSHA 1926, CE 0120 |
| Patent |
GB 2467367 |
| Minimum Service Life |
5 years from first put into service |
| Inspection Interval |
12 months standard / 6 months in harsh or off-shore environments |
Compliance & Certification
✔ Certified BS EN 795:1997 Class E European standard for transportable deadweight anchorage devices. The EcoAnchor is certified under CE 0120 and exceeds the Class E performance criteria, including operation at slopes greater than 5° on approved substrates.
✔ Compliant OSHA 1926 (Construction) Designed for the construction industry fall protection requirements of OSHA 1926, when used as a single-point tie-off or paired in a two-anchor HLL system per the manual.
✔ Compliant OSHA 1910 (General Industry) Designed for the general industry fall protection requirements of OSHA 1910 for maintenance, service, and inspection work on flat commercial roofs and other low-slope surfaces.
⚠ Important Note Engineered Anchor Pathway As a 3,600 lb deadweight anchor, the EcoAnchor satisfies OSHA's engineered-anchor pathway (designed by a qualified person, supervised, with a 2:1 safety factor under maximum arrest force) rather than the 5,000 lb static-anchor pathway. Both are valid OSHA compliance routes; the engineered pathway is appropriate for this product type.
Manufacturer-Tested & Patented The Frontline EcoAnchor is independently designed and manufactured by Frontline Fall Protection (6 Lee Blvd, Malvern, PA). Tested to BS EN 795:1997 Class E performance criteria and certified under CE 0120. Material puncture resistance meets the U.S. Federal Standard 191 Part 1520 (>700N). The patented water-bladder design is protected under United Kingdom Patent No. GB 2467367. First introduced in 2008, the EcoAnchor remains one of the only freestanding water-filled fall protection anchors of its kind. Patent No. GB 2467367 | EN 795:1997 Class E | CE 0120 | Manual Issue 9 available below
Frequently Asked Questions
What roof surfaces are compatible with the EcoAnchor?
The manufacturer-approved substrates are EPDM, mineral felts, concrete, and metal deck. The friction-based grip relies on a clean, dry surface, so the area must be free of ice, snow, gravel, oil, dust, or other debris before deploying. The anchor is not approved for PVC, painted surfaces, oil-contaminated surfaces, or any roofing membrane that becomes slippery when wet. If you're unsure whether your roof type qualifies, call us at 863-703-4522 before ordering.
What's the maximum allowed roof slope?
The EcoAnchor exceeds the BS EN 795:1997 Class E standard by working at slopes greater than 5 degrees, and the manufacturer permits use up to 15 degrees on certain compatible surfaces. However, any installation above 5 degrees requires prior written approval from Frontline Fall Protection per the user manual. For flat and near-flat roofs (5° or less), no approval is needed beyond standard pre-use inspection. For slopes between 5° and 15°, contact us before ordering and we'll coordinate the approval process.
Can I use the EcoAnchor in freezing temperatures?
No. The user manual is explicit on this point: the EcoAnchor is not suitable for use in frost, ice, or snow, and the manufacturer warns "do not use when ice or snow is present" on the unit's compliance label. Adding antifreeze is not an approved workaround. Frozen water inside the bladder can damage the neoprene, and ice on the roof surface compromises the friction grip the anchor relies on. For winter rooftop work in freezing climates, use a different fall protection solution such as a guardrail system or mechanically-fastened anchor.
Is the EcoAnchor rated for fall arrest, fall restraint, or both?
Both. The EcoAnchor supports a single Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) for one worker, and it can also be used in fall restraint mode to keep a worker out of the fall zone entirely. Two EcoAnchors can serve as the end anchors of a temporary horizontal lifeline (HLL) system designed for deadweight anchors — verify HLL compatibility and recalculate fall clearance for deadweight-anchor deflection before deploying. Compatible connectors must limit loads below 6 kN.
Can I pair the EcoAnchor with my existing harness and lanyard?
Almost always, yes — provided your equipment is approved to the relevant European standards:
EN 361 for the full-body harness,
EN 355 for energy-absorbing lanyards,
EN 360 for self-retracting lanyards (Frontline FAB-branded SRLs are pre-approved; non-Frontline SRLs require manufacturer approval before use), and
EN 353-2 for guided-type fall arresters with flexible anchor lines. Need help building a complete kit? Pair the EcoAnchor with our
Frontline 110CTB harness for a system spec'd to work together out of the box.
When should I use the EcoAnchor versus a guardrail system?
Use the EcoAnchor when one or two workers need a tie-off point on a flat or low-slope roof — HVAC service, membrane inspection, antenna work, skylight maintenance. Use a guardrail system when a crew of multiple workers will be on the roof for a sustained period, when the entire perimeter needs passive protection (no harnesses required), or when the work involves ongoing pedestrian traffic near the edge. For sustained perimeter protection on flat commercial roofs, our
Frontline GUS75 non-penetrating guardrail kit is the right call. Many jobs use both: guardrail on the working perimeter plus EcoAnchor tie-offs for crews working closer to the edge.
What are the most common deployment mistakes with the EcoAnchor?
Five things to watch for: (1) Wrong vent orientation — the vent valve must be at the highest corner of the roof and the drain at the lowest. Reversing them traps air and underfills the anchor. (2) Underfilling — filling is only complete when water flows from the diagonally opposite vent. Stopping early leaves the anchor below its 882 lb working weight. (3) Compromised surface friction — gravel, ice, oil, paint, and PVC membranes all reduce friction. Sweep and verify the surface before deploying. (4) Too close to the edge — the anchor must be at least 8.2 ft (2.5 m) from any unprotected edge to avoid swing-fall hazards. (5) Incompatible connector — lanyards, SRLs, or fall arresters must limit loads below 6 kN per the user manual. Always verify compatibility before clipping in.
Frontline EcoAnchor Submittal Documents
The following manufacturer documents are available for download to support procurement, safety planning, jobsite submittals, and Competent Person inspection records. All documents apply directly to the Frontline EcoAnchor model CW1WB.
| Document |
Description |
Download |
| Frontline EcoAnchor Spec Sheet |
Frontline EcoAnchor CW1WB specifications, dimensions, materials, design data, and compliance standards. |
Frontline EcoAnchor — Spec Sheet (PDF) |
| Frontline EcoAnchor User Manual |
Manufacturer's installation, deployment, inspection, storage, and use instructions for the Frontline EcoAnchor (Issue 9). |
Frontline EcoAnchor — User Manual (PDF) |
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