This is a call for action to the contractors and equipment suppliers of the Fire Sprinkler Industry. Over the past year we have encountered a new requirement/regulation that has broad ranging financial and safety implications to our businesses. We first encountered this issue on federal work for the Army Corp of Engineers, then Navfac, and now it is showing up in private commercial work. We are being told that we cannot use our normal lift equipment to install sprinkler work in the traditional manner, i.e. pipe fitter loads sprinkler pipe on the scissor lift, elevates the lift platform into position and installs the pipe. The original stated reason for this was that the safety rail on the platform was not "intended for use as a pipe rack" . We responded to this by fabricating structural steel pipe racks, and installing them on the platform deck. Then we were told we would need a certification from the equipment manufacturer stating that the platform deck was capable of managi ng the weight of the loaded pipe racks. None of the equipment suppliers will issue any statement, certified or otherwise, beyond the rated lift capacity. For the first several projects, we were forced to use a separate piece of equipment, like a roust-a-bout, to lift the pipe into place, while the pipe fitter maneuvered his scissor lift in to place to connect and hang the pipe. This procedure requires two men to install one piece of pipe, and requires about four times the normal production labor rate. Also, in my opinion, this method of installation significantly increases the risk of personal injury or damage to the building or adjacent systems. So my questions are: 1) Have any of you (contractors) experienced this on your jobsites? 2) Are there any lift equipment suppliers monitoring this forum, and if so, do you feel any obligation to address your customers' needs? 3) (Roland) As an Industry Association, how can we work together to address and resolve this? Mark at Aero
_______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum
