Equipment Platforms

[jike]

Do equipment platforms (used to service equipment or controls) have to be designed to the governing building code? These are either built off of equipment or adjacent to equipment. Normally, they are unoccupied.

 

[kslee1000]

I think OSHA weights more than building code for equipment service platform. However, for any platform with chances to have crowd gathering, I will consider to stick to building code requirement.

Anyway, check with the local building officials to see their stance on this.

 

[lkjh345]

If the platform is greater than some height off the floor or ground, I'm pretty sure you do need a guard rail around the outside.

Embarrassingly, I can't remember what the distance off the floor is at the moment.

 

[jberg]

lkjh345:

The critical distance is 4' from the walking surface to the lower level. That is the OSHA General Industry requirement.

Joel Berg

 

[JAE]

I think the IBC has it at 30"

 

[racookpe1978]

4 foot above grade is what I remember: 42" guard rails, toe boards (4" x 1/4), mid-rails, and anti-fall-back guards (chains or flip-type guards) at all entrances where a ladder lets you go through the rails.

Count user needs too: not just what "the law" calls for: You'll need a place to rest eqpt, lay down access gear, stage supplies, open doors or hatches, possibly a rail or hanger or rigging point for the door (if heavy), another rigging point (or three or four) for lifting stuff in and out of the tank, a tank watch space (if hazardous gasses or enclosed space, ...)

Further up (higher - but I don't remember how far) you need the full ladder cages and have to start counting the rungs before a safety stop.

 

[jberg]

JAE is correct that IBC chapter 10 (1012.1 in the 2003 IBC) states that guards must be installed on surfaces more than 30" above the floor or grade below.

Racookepe1978: I believe the trigger height for full ladder cages or other safety device per OSHA is 20'. I am not sure if the IBC has a requirement for ladder cages. Attached is a link to the OSHA website regarding fixed ladder requirements.

Joel Berg