Access to a device at the ceiling

[CostasV]

Hello all,

I am facing a problem and I think I can use some good advice. We have natural gas detectors installed at the ceiling of the building and not near the walls. The height of the ceiling varies from 6 to approx. 9 m. In order to have access to these detectors for periodic maintenance, we have to use portable ladder, which is leaned against the secured bridge-crane to get on the bridge-crane. Then, standing on the bridge crane we can do the job.

It seems to me that we could make it safer by getting the gas detectors at the floor level. Has anyone seen a system where the device (similar to a gas detector) is able to be lowered and then lifted back (perhaps by wire). Provision should be given to a way of winding the power and signal cable of the detector. Such a system should be explosion proof and combatible with the bridge-crane which passes approx 0.3 m to 2 m lower than the detector (the ceiling is inclined).

Size of device approx.: 0.30m X 0.30m X 0.30m
Weight approx : 10 kg
Number of gas detectors : 16 (in my area only)
Frequency of lowering/lifting : every 6 months

Any idea will be appreciated.

Costas

 

[safetydan]

Possibly the best thing to do would be to rent a powered man-lift from a local equipment rental house. You have safety issues from working on a elevated surface that probably wasn't ment for the purpose of which you are doing. Even though they aren't completely solved by using a man-lift, your risk of an incident are greatly reduced. Just make sure that whomever goes up in the lift, must wear a fall arrest harness and attached lanyard. It is simpler way to get your job done.

 

[CostasV]

Safetydan : thank you for your proposal. Using man-lift is not applicable in 6 of the 16 devices, because the space beneath is not free (there are pipes, regulators, frames etc from 0 m to 4 m high). Even with elevated platforms that have an extra horizontal movement, the man inside the platform would have to strech himself to work with the gas detectors. I do not want to imagine someone getting out of the platform even if he is wearing the harness.

Anyway, thanks.

Are there other ideas?

Costas