Fee for Critical Lift Plan

[MWPC]

We are preparing a Critical Lift Plan for an 88T pick in a conjested area. The erector's contract required a sealed plan. No problem doing the work but we are not sure what to charge. It seems like the liability is disproportionate to the hours of work. Any guidance? Thanks

 

[civilperson]

Ten hour minimum, with credit toward future jobs if not spent on this pick design.

 

[jike]

Do you have a special rider on your insurance for this particular project? Is this work out of the ordinary for you? I would discuss this with your underwriter.

If you think that this work is higher risk than your other projects I would factor that "increased risk" times your deductible and add that in to your fee.

 

[JStephen]

Check and double check.
Check factors of safety required by OSHA or ASME standards applicable.
Check into wind loading- try to get crane manufacturere to confirm allowable wind loads, not normally shown on crane load charts.
Check how load weight was figured- how approximate as compared to the percent of crane capacity.
Check into soil bearing issues if appropriate.

I'm not an insurance expert- but typically on a contractor's insurance, they are asked to list the project owner, consultant, etc. as "also insureds"- see if it does anything to get yourself listed there.

 

[MWPC]

All,
Thanks for the help. The project has taken a few turns so the hours are more proportional to the risks. The boss has taken care of the insurance issue.

Jike, we are a small structural engineering firm. We often check lifting on products (precast concrete) that we design but this is the first "critical lift" that we have been asked to do.

 

[DRC1]

A.) Be absoulutely certain you have insurance and that you have enough, both O&E and generally liability. Most standard design firms do not have O&E covreage for this type of work. General liability should be substantial; 10 million would be a minimum, with 30 to 50 million more reaistic.

B.) Be sure to review, with design engineer present, with the contractor's project manager, superintendent and crane operator. Have a third party review it.

C.) Buy Shaperio's book "Cranes and Derricks" 3rd ed.

D.) Temporary construction is different from standard structural engineering.