The R&D&i centre for Protection Resources in Construction, is specialised in the experimental assessment of different protection systems and auxiliary equipment used in the construction sector for carrying out temporary work at heights, under optimum conditions of health and safety. This is complemented by a simulation analysis and advanced calculation using finite elements, which makes it possible to reproduce the dynamic effects of a fall into the protection devices

Research lines

• Study of new materials for use in different collective protection systems.
• Analysis and improvement proposal for durability properties in those materials that are susceptible to a loss in resistance characteristics due to the influence of climatic conditions.
• Drawing up and developing Technical Guides on certain specific issues that are particularly complex in safety and health in the construction industry.
• Technology development on different types of protection systems and auxiliary equipment, with the aim of improving their features and adapting to technical standards in Europe and the rest of the world.
• Carrying out pre-standard tests, which provide initial experience, to learn about the structural behaviour of different safety elements in construction and, afterwards, enable the drawing up of technical standards for products (UNE, UNE-EN).
• Carrying out expert investigations, which technically account for the causes of some of the serious or deadly accidents in the construction industry, mainly due to a fall from a height.

This area will not carry out any activity that could lead to a conflict of interests with the Institute’s work as a Control Body, with regard to the products assessed, in accordance with ENAC requirements laid out in PE-ENAC-OC/01.