Any personnel or materials lifting devices, whether temporary or permanent are subject to Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and any personal protection equipment The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
In the Davit Base and Davit ‘reach’ Arm applications within the construction industry there is what is usually described as an Initial LOLER, this can vary from ongoing LOLER as waterproofing, insulation or access hatches are added during the construction phase. This legislation necessitates inspection at 6 monthly intervals or sooner if it is subject to exceptional circumstances. Thorough examination is required and procedures from the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and reporting standards required are below:- Procedure visual examination and functional checks measurements of wear (in some cases) traditional NDT (non-destructive testing) and load testing Some disassembly or internal examination of parts may also be required Reporting the parts to be thoroughly examined the methods of examination and testing the intervals for examination (and testing of the different parts, where appropriate) Initial LOLER Initial LOLER procures, and in order of preference and should be the Safe Working Load ‘SWL’ (6kN) for a single user, plus rescue user (1.25kN) total 7.25kN. This is then plus moment / reaction forces. For example a 2m reach increases the 7.25kN SWL to 14.5kN test load:- 1. Hydra jaw pull test the base to test design load (with bridge / jig) 2. Pull test to using the supplied Davit to 6kN (typically reverse arm method) 3. Pull test of each rear fixing as determined by resin anchor manufacture calculator (typically 9-15kN) but not less than the test load. 4. If there is any expectation that fixings cannot be thoroughly examined in the future any deflections in the Davit Base should be recorded for use as a future datum. Ongoing LOLER On the basis of the above, it is best practise that all fixings and bases or brackets can be visually inspected and as part of a thorough examination torque tested. Sayfa Group can supply fixings systems suitable for some types of weathering. On some occasions it may not be practically possible to access fixings on an ongoing basis. If this is the case, then in our opinion initial project material specifications and inspection procedures should be specified accordingly.
As a preference, for weathered posts and fixings that are accessible above or below the Davit (for instance with bases fixed with backing / load distribution plates) the material should be 304 grade stainless and the functional checks should extend to load testing every 60 months. If post-manufactured galvanised steel is deemed appropriate, the functional checks frequency should be reduced to load testing every 24 months. Any failure of the base to adhere to Initial LOLER datum’s will necessitate removal of the weathering detail for thorough examination.
It is the responsibility of the System Designer to determine the inspection and thorough examination suitable for the project and system. It is the Competent persons responsibility at each periodic interval to determine the final test method necessary. Every Sayfa Group EdgeSeil Davit arms is factory tested to 125% of the safe working load (SWL) with deflection levels recorded to ensure these are within tolerance. The EdgeSeil range includes a fixings system that facilitates inspection and torque testing of pitch pocketed or weathered bases. The standard SWL for the EdgeSeil system is 600kg. The number of users is separately rated as single or two user. Through product selection and approved contractors extended warranties can be achieved with 60 service life. Please see www.sayfagroup.co.uk for more information or contact us for best practise examples of thorough LOLER Examination.
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