Manuals

Quick coupling for nets

Explanation of symbols

Important information is labelled with the following symbols:

1.1 General definitions

Aquaculture farm	Installation for the farming of fish.
Pool dimensions	The pen’s inner circumference.
Design working life	Assumed period for which a structure or part of it is to be used for its intended purpose with anticipated maintenance but without major repair being necessary.
Operation	Fish farming at site, including all installation and operation activities performed at the site while fish farming is in progress, and that are of relevance to the escape prevention of fish.
Extra equipment	Equipment that is not a main component.
Inspection	Systematic inspection/examination, usually visual, to ensure that the equipment satisfies the requirements.
Pen	Structure whose main function is to provide an enclosurewith buoyancy and/or stiffness.
Anchoring system	System of lines and bottom attachments with the main function of keeping the aquaculture farm or raft in position.
Bridles	Anchoring line between the pen and the anchoring system.
Main component	Part of an aquaculture farm that holds one or more of the installation’s load bearing main functions. Example: Pen, anchoring system, raft and enclosure.
Enclosure	Net or other system of load bearing parts that form a barrier between the farming volume in a production unit and the surrounding water volume.
Bracket	Component keeping the inner and outer floating collar pipes together.
Sinker weight	Weight or other device attached to the net to achieve the intended shape. Sinker weight/Centre weight is attached beneath the bottom centre of the net-cone.
Cage	Pen with enclosure.
NS9415:2021	Standard which sets out functional requirements for floating aquaculture farms and will be fundamental for stakeholders in the aquaculture industry, such as authorities, supervisory bodies, designers, suppliers, actors within R&D and manufacturers, as well as aquaculture farm owners.
NYTEK23 regulation	Governing Regulation for Fish Farming in Norway.
Circumference	Inner length of the inner floating collar.
Product certificate	Document confirming that the product is manufactured in accordance with the requirements of NYTEK23 and NS9425:2021.
Suspension system	Weights, bottom rings or similar to help maintain the three-dimensional shape of the net.

Table 1: General definitions.

1.2 Introduction

ScaleAQ supplies quick couplings for nets, which are designed to make it easier to attach the net to the pen with steel brackets. There are two sizes of quick couplings for handrail posts 80x60mm (FR400, FR450, FR500 and FR560) and 100x80mm (FR630).

Figure 1.1: Attachment of net ear by using quick coupling and roundsling.

2 Interaction with other components

The quick coupling consists of two parts and is attached to the handrail post root on the steel brackets. It is recommended to use a suitable round sling between the net ear and the quick coupling. It is also important that the net’s attachment point is adapted to the pen.

3 Mounting of the unit

Place the lower part of the quick coupling around the post root. Hang the round sling over the pin of the quick coupling, place the upper part of the quick coupling on top and secure with a locking pin. All parts must be secured with a lace to prevent them from falling into the sea.

4 Installation on site

See Chapter 3. In addition, make sure that the quick coupling rests against the handrail post and that any other equipment is moved/removed. This could be ropes, blocks for fenders, etc.

5 Use

Round slings can be installed in the following ways:

Figure 5.1 shows the round sling choked around the net ear and doubled around the quick coupling. This method is the best way to prevent chafing, especially at sites with a lot of movement.

Figure 5.2 shows the round sling choked around the net ear and simply placed around the bolt on the quick coupling.

Figure 5.3 shows the round sling threaded through the net ear and the ends placed around the bolt on the quick coupling.

5.1 Breaking strength

MBL=7.7T (FR400, FR450, FR500 and FR560)

MBL=9.7T (FR630)

6 Inspection and maintenance

Make sure that the locking pin is in place. If straps are worn, replacement must be considered according to users’ internal instructions and requirements.

7 Transport and storage

No requirements for transport. When storing, the two parts of the quick coupling should be stored together to ensure the correct combination of parts.