Warranty

Maintenance and upkeep of
Jakob stainless steel wire rope and tensile structures
1 Preamble
Jakob stainless steel products are made exclusively with molybdenum-alloyed 1.4404 (AISI 316L) or
1.4401 (AISI 316) steels.
Jakob stainless steel products require certain minimum care and maintenance to preserve their attractive
appearance and corrosion resistance. Jakob guarantees good workmanship and professionalism in
fabrication, but it is the responsibility of the structure planner to comply with applicable standards and
guidelines for the intended application; and it is the responsibility of the operator to periodically inspect
the products and identify any damage that may have occurred, as well as the need for any maintenance
or repair. After completion of the structure, Jakob’s products must be regularly inspected and cleaned.
Contaminants and foreign matter deposits may result in unacceptable concentrations of corrosive
substances that can damage the passive layer of Jakob’s product. Regular cleaning and proper
maintenance can prevent critical contaminant concentrations, including but not limited to the buildup of
sulfur dioxides, chlorides, and foreign iron contamination.
2 Cleaning
A distinction is made between handover cleaning and upkeep cleaning. Ordinarily, handover cleaning is
performed prior to the formal acceptance of the structure and is the responsibility of the principal
contractor. After the acceptance of the structure, periodic upkeep or maintenance cleaning is the
responsibility of the operator.
2.1 Handover cleaning
Jakob stainless steel ropes, end connectors and netting are delivered ex works, free of residues such as
greases or oils. Unless the products are contaminated during installation, handover cleaning is generally
not necessary. However, care must be taken that wrap films, adhesive tape or labels are completely
removed without residues. Markings (for example those applied with felt pens) must be removed because
solvents or other chemical residues can negatively impact the passive layer of the steel parts. If the
components are dirtied during assembly, they must be cleaned. They should be hosed down with water
to remove loose particles. If necessary, they may be cleaned with warm water and a mild detergent and
then wiped with a cloth or a plastic brush. The components should be rinsed with water and dried, if
applicable. The use of a pressure spray unit is recommended as the pressurized or jetted water stream
can reach hard-to-access places, especially between wires or strands. Heavily soiled surfaces should
first be gently rinsed with a hose to prevent dirt particles from scratching the components and damaging
the passive layer. Only mild cleaning chemicals should be used. We recommend mild products (tensides,
water, alcohols) that are first tested for compatibility with stainless steel. In particular, they must be free of
hydrochloric acid. Also, we advise against using special stainless steel cleaning agents because their
composition and resulting impact on the passive layer is often unknown. The use of mechanical cleaning
utensils should be restricted to brushes with natural, polymer or stainless steel bristles. Textiles or polymer