








Z3-FIRE - Drill Powered Ascender PPE RATED
The Z3 Fire can be purchased in the EU from our official partner LineGrip
Description & Tech Specs
AWAH Z3-Fire PPE certified Drill Powered Ascender
The Z3-Fire is an innovative multi-functional device which combines the features of a drill powered ascender, rescue compliant descender, and progress capture pulley into one compact (8" x 5" x 4") and light-weight (5lbs) unit.
Fully PPE certified to the following specs:
EN 12841:2024-B/C • 30-285 kg, Rope EN 1891-A Ø 11.0 mm
ANSI Z359.9:2021 / Type 4 • 30-240 kg, Rope EN 1891-A Ø 11.0 mm
EN 341:2011/2A – 200m • 30-195 kg; T > -4°C • Rope ARETE Task Line Static Ø 11.0 mm
CE0123
Each unit comes with the certified 11mm wheel. If you use 10mm ropes, we have non-certified 10mm wheels available on this PAGE.
30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee
It's new. It's different. Not sure if it's for you? Try it! If you don't like it, we'll send you a shipping label and you can return it within 30 days of receiving it. We've made good on this promise multiple times now. We have a perfect five star rating on Google with 297 reviews.
*One unit per customer. Please don't buy several all at once then attempt to return them all. This guarantee applies to single-unit purchases only. Bulk purchases are ineligible for return under this guarantee.
This applies to units sold through an authorized retailer in the US, CA, AU, or NZ only.
How NOT 2 is the Official Distributor
We have worked with AWAH for years now to bring this to the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand markets and are the official distributors for those countries.
We handle all the warranty and customer service for sales by us or our retail partners. We are the only ones who stock the spare wheels are only available to be purchased for authorized units. We cannot service or supply parts for units not purchased by us or the following retail partners:
- Maple Leaf Rope (USA and Canada)
- VSG's Rescue Direct (USA)
- Heights Above (USA)
- Rope Access Sonora (Mexico)
When purchased on our site to be shipped to CA, AU, and NZ, it is fulfilled from our warehouse in Taiwan, managed by our partners Climbing Taiwan Gear Co. We try to avoid unnecessary border crossings in these high tariff times. We provide free shipping with taxes/duties paid so it just arrives to your door!
Purchasing this in Europe? Visit LineGrip's website! They are the distributor in Europe.
WARNING: awah.com and awahz3.com and awah.store ARE NOT AWAH! We cannot support whatever they sell on there. Skyward Supplies is another common site we hear about that is NOT an authorized retailer that we cannot support anything you purchase from there.
Revolutionary design
The Z3-FIRE is powered by a hand drill AND attached to the operator, solving the problems that other powered ascenders offered BUT at a fraction of the cost. There are NO proprietary batteries or motors to fail, leaving you grounded on a jobsite. And despite being the most affordable, it's the only powered ascender certified as work-positioning PPE — rated under EN 12841 and ANSI Z359.9 for daily rope access work! The Z3 features an integrated dual self-locking mechanism that automatically engages in case of gearbox failure, preventing accidental falls and ensuring operational safety.
Our engineer at How NOT 2 solved the mystery on how to get the unique 11mm wheel to be grabby enough to take you up the rope but slippery enough to let you back down. Few devices are capable of going up AND down with the same wheel!
Z3s were a critical component in filming the Taipei 101 free solo by Alex Honnold.
This was the initial episode was when they first arrived in the USA. These had the 10mm wheels. They now have 11mm wheels
What DRILL Works Best?
You will only get out of this what you put into it. A good drill will make this tool twice as useful. Milwaukee 1/2" Hammer Drill (don't use hammer mode) is our favorite drill but any similar drill with similar torque will work if you are already in those battery ecosystems. DON'T think more is better and attempt to try a giant right angle drill. It's annoying to use and they don't have the extra torque you think they should.
You must NOT use an impact drill as you will just shock the gears and tear them up. We provide 5/16" hex bits that intentionally do NOT fit in 1/4" impact drivers. We recommend a brushless drill or it could burn up the drill by creating too much heat on long ascents.
What BATTERY Works Best?
We have found with the Milwaukee M18 batteries, the 5ah batteries are barely enough to get you and your tools up a rope. 6ah works great for a few runs. 8ah is AMAZING for many hours of work. The M18 Forge Batteries are worth the extra money. BUT do NOT get the 12ah for this. They are expensive, heavy and just don't give you the wow factor difference to offset that. More is not better once you have enough.
They are so easy enough to get HERE from AMAZON that we don't stock them
What ROPE Works Best?
The Z3 is rated for EN 1891 Type A 11mm ropes and each Z3 Fire comes with an 11mm wheel preinstalled. This is what we found during our tests with this wheel.

11mm Wheel:
- Arete Task Line 11mm (works great - used in certification testing)
- Sterling HTP 3/8" (this 9.5mm is stiff enough that it works)
- Sterling Safety Pro 11mm (works great)
- Edelrid Enduro Static 11mm (works great)
- Sterling HTP 7/16" (this hyperstatic 11mm works great)
- PMI 11mm Pit Rope is too stiff. Does NOT work
1 Year Warranty
Official Warranty: This product is a consumable. We provide a ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY for defects in the materials and production process of the product. The warranty does NOT cover damage to the product caused by wear, incorrect operation, self-modification or repair, deformation, corrosion, oxidation, improper storage and transportation, and other usage than for which it was designed. Do NOT use an impact drill. The damage caused by this is not covered by the warranty.
Wear Components
Since the wheel provides friction when you rappel, the wheel is a wear part. We know it's awful to have a core tool you become dependent on to be out of commission, so we worked with AWAH to make it easily replaceable "at the tailgate" using the included 4mm allen wrench. Pro tip to keep the wheel from spinning: add a stopper knot to the end of a rope and wrap it around the wheel.
Wear is expected and replacement wheels are available for purchase for authorized units. Wheel lifespan is dependent on rope type, environment, and loading characteristics. Rappel with a heavy load on a sandy rope and you'll replace your wheel often. Rappel with a light load on clean ropes and it could last 60,000 feet.
Find 10mm and 11mm replacement wheels here
Other wear components include the rope edge rollers and bearings, which require the device to be returned to HowNOT2 for service. We can only offer service and parts on authorized units that you ordered from us or our official retail partners. There are several online shops that sell unauthorized units and we will NOT be able to help you if you got them from there.
Z3-Fire vs Z2A
Lowering Control:
- Z3 uses a handle to gradually move the rope away from the pinch point for smooth lowering
- Z2A requires wrapping the rope around friction arms and fully releasing the gears (less smooth).
Gears:
- Z3 & Z2A gear ratio is the same
- The Z3 wheel is stationary while lowering, so the drill can be left in the unit while rappelling (have a tool leash!). This is great for up/down/up/down rope work.
- The Z2A wheel has to spin freely when lowering so the drill must be removed each time you want to lower.
Ease of Opening/loading rope:
- Z3/Z2A can be opened and the rope loaded while the device is clipped to the user or anchor
Swivel:
- Z3-FIRE and Z2A both now come with a swivel. This allows rotating the device with respect to user or anchor.
Certifications:
- Z3 is PPE certified
- Z2A has no certifications. Must be used with a backup!
Rope Compatibility:
- Z3 has a narrow range per wheel type (10mm or 11mm wheels available)
- Z2A works for 9mm to 11mm well because it only has to be grabby and go up the rope. It spins freely during lowering as the external arms provide the friction.
Water proof:
- Z3 is IP66 waterproof. Feel free to wash windows in the rain, just don't go scuba diving with it.
- Z2A is NOT waterproof. If water gets inside, it will rust out the gears.
Availability:
- Z3 is not replacing the Z2A. We stock and support both.
Z3-Fire vs H1
H1 is great to lift your rope at the end of the day or a light load you don't mind lifting by hand. There is not gear ratio or progress capture.
Refurbished Units
Occasionally we offer refurbished units that we have done a full inspection on. They will naturally have some sort of cosmetic defect or wear. Mechanical function remains like new.
Manuals and Certifications
Check our AWAH dealer certification on AWAH's website.
See the ANSI documentation here
See the PPE certification here
See the User Manual here
FAQs
- Does it work with 1/2" ropes? NO! Firefighters and arborists, we see you. Give us a bit more time...
- Can I lift materials with this? Yes but why? The Z2A is cheaper if that's all you are doing with it. Use a backup!
- How life expectancy of the unit? If you replace the wheel periodically, the gears themselves have been known to last 60+ miles of ascending (100km).
- Does it come in a case? Yes! The case includes the Z3 of course plus the 4mm allen wrench to replace the wheel, a carabiner, 2x 5/16" hex bits and a replacement screw for the wheel if you lose it, plus a user manual.
