Maintenance & servicing
Safe and accessible
works effectively and efficiently. Proper maintainance will keep end-user costs down whilst poor maintenance can increase operating costs by between
H
aving specified AC plant for a client, correct installation and on-going maintenance of the equipment is vital to ensure that the plant
15-25%. In the worst case scenario, this could result in a costly break down, which would mean down time and potentially a new system installation. But maintenance work can be risky. For service engineers maintaining AC systems the risks are raised since the location of the units often requires
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Sam Birch of Big Foot Systems
Sam Birch at Big Foot Systems, explains how non-penetrative frameworks have evolved to overcome the challenges posed by maintaining air conditioning (AC) systems on flat roofs
working at height. Roofs may be host to a wide range of services and pipework and here a simple trip can become the devastating cause of a fatality. Falls from height are still the most common fatal accident in the UK workplace. There are two main areas to consider to help
make rooftop maintenance easier. Firstly, safe access equipment should be installed to allow safe passage to the AC units and secondly AC equipment should be mounted to make access and maintenance easy.
Safe access
When specifying safe access equipment, it is important to ensure it is manufactured from appropriate materials to ensure it is robust and can withstand harsh conditions. Wooden gantries, steps and frames will rot if not maintained. Meanwhile, walkways and step overs need to be slip free. Traditionally, penetrative systems have been used
on flat roofs when a safe access system was required. This can effect roof membrane integrity and cause potential problems with thermal bridging. However, in recent years there has been an evolution in safe access equipment, moving away from penetrative options towards the non-penetrative safe access frameworks developed by companies like Big Foot Systems. These frameworks offer secure and easy access
to roof-top AC equipment via standard and custom designed site-assembled, safe access walkways, platforms and step-over solutions. This allows for the safe passage of personnel accessing rooftop equipment over obstacles, such as chilled water pipework. Recyclable and repeatable, they meet the changing needs of a building and can be moved or adapted. When manufactured from GRP and/or galvanised metalwork the equipment is robust and can withstand anything the elements can throw at it. Load management is another key consideration.
The Light Duty range from Big
Foot Systems offers an array of solutions to support a variety of air handling units and air condi- tioning systems
The roof must be strong enough to support the load of additional safe access equipment and the pedestrians using it. Limited space, existing upstands and lightweight roofs may all require custom support solutions. Manufacturers, like Big Foot Systems, overcome these challenges with the aid of their technical surveyors and by using ANSYS FEA software to calculate permissible loads.
30 April 2018
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