Minimum Maintenance Platform Width

[chrisrosebud2001]

My company is designing an elevated platform that extends around all sides of a large piece of equipment. The platform is 3'-0" wide, but there is a small section with a pipe interference where we need to reduce the platform width to 16" This is only a maintenance platform and would not need to meet the means of egress requirements. Are there any guidelines for what the minimum width needs to be? The minimum based on means of egress would be 22" and I also saw that scaffolding requirements may get you down to 18" or possibly even lower. Please see the attached sketch where I have indicated the reduced area of the platform. Does anyone have an answer or a good reference for me?

Thanks!

 

[dicksewerrat]

Can you put a curved 'bump-out' there? Have the Maintenance guys look at it o see if they have special tools that would make it difficult to get by that area.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com

 

[racookpe1978]

It's on the back side of the platform. The ladder is on the opposite (the front side).

What does the pipe look like in the elevation view?

You do what you can when you are working maintenance: Stepping over a curved pipe is done tens of thousands of times every day. Stepping past a 16 inch gap is not a problem - IF the removal path for bundles or coolers or eqpt coming out of the reactor at that location does not hit the pipe or the next eqpt past the new platform.

 

[chrisrosebud2001]

The pipe is just vertical at the platform location. It is shown on plan to turn, but that is well above the elevation of the platform.

 

[chrisrosebud2001]

We may be able to potentially have a bump out at that section of platform, but likely only a couple of inches. They need access to equipment below with their overhead crane and that is why the platform cannot extend out further.

 

[racookpe1978]

Then you build it as-drawn, and the workers step around the pipe. Don't have an inside handrail there, merely the pipe insulation cover.