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Beam Clamps


Stee_cri1

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Hey all,

 

I have a quick one about rigging points being installed and the yearly testing of them.

 

I am in discussions with a client that is looking at having points installed on to RSJ's using beam clamps

 

My question is this, from a testing point of view that is a yearly thing how would these be inspected? - Would it be the same as usual where weights are hung and movement sighted or would there need to be a full visible inspection of them as well?

 

Here is why I ask.

The roof of the venue is listed so installing will mean that small round holes will be made that are only really large enough for a hand to go through and clamp onto an O-ring. The only way of then access the roof void is through a second story floor which would mean ripping up an custom made carpet which would be hugely expensive to do every year.

 

Thank you in advance for any advice

 

 

Kind Regards

 

Steve

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No idea re testing, but I would GUESS that a simple load test would be all that was needed?

When our truss is inspected, they don't climb to see the individual attachment points.

 

If the floor does need to be inspected, couldn't access a panels similar to dip trays be installed?

 

What would be hung and powered how?

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Hi my thoughts are beam clamps in the upper roof with shackles on.

 

We would then hand motors whenever needed off this.

 

The floor on the second floor is the only way to get into the roof void of the ballroom below you see and they don't want to have to pull the floor up every year as it is a custom made carpet so would cost a fortune in comparison to revenue.

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Beam clamps and shackles are considered accessories, and thus subject to 6 monthly inspection. I can't see how you would do proper inspection through a small hole. Perhaps pad eyes welded onto the beams or a more permanent beam clamp system to an eye, proof loaded, then the shackles go up with the motors?
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Beam clamps and shackles are considered accessories, and thus subject to 6 monthly inspection. I can't see how you would do proper inspection through a small hole. Perhaps pad eyes welded onto the beams or a more permanent beam clamp system to an eye, proof loaded, then the shackles go up with the motors?

 

They'd not necessarily be 'lifting accessories' in this case since they'd never be used between lifting machine and load, so 12 monthly examination would be adequate.

 

I'm with you on the rest of that though, don't see how a proper "thorough examination" would be possible by groping at a beam-clamp through a wee hole so seems to me also that it calls for something more permanent instead of the clamp, or better access to the clamp. (If not through the floor, a removable section of ceiling rather than the little round hole perhaps?)

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Perhaps pad eyes welded onto the beams or a more permanent beam clamp system to an eye

 

Welded eyes would be ideal, but...

 

Void above listed ceiling in a ballroom - doesn't sound like somewhere you'd want to be welding, especially in a confined space with limited access - I'm thinking ornate plaster held up by lots of old dry wood....

 

Eye welded to a heavy steel plate which is then bolted to the beam might be an option?

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Regardless of whether we are going to say beam clamps in this configuration are lifting accessories or not, as defined by LEEA, which would be the clearest answer as to whether 6 or 12 months is necessary, it essentially comes down to how they may be used.

 

If a hoist is used below the beam clamp, then correct, they are not between the lifting machine and the load, however, a beam clamp is a temporary suspension point in my eyes, and should not be hidden away behind a ceiling/under a floor.

 

The beam clamp will always be a suspension point, regardless of hoist or not, what if someone comes along and dead hangs a truss or a PA or whatever from your clamp with no hoist. It doesn't fall under LOLER in either case, which is what RECOMMENDS 6/12 month inspections, but it does fall under the blanket of PUWER and the HSWA. If the points are being used twice a year for 100kg of lighting on a 1t beam clamp for example, you can risk assess and say 12 monthly inspections is adequate along with a written scheme of examination.

 

If the points are being used every week hanging 250KG PA stacks and half ton LX trusses, I would be saying its probably worth having them looked at every 6 months.

 

Other points. An O'Ring to hook into, this means shackle between O'Ring and Beam clamp I'm guessing?. A safety pin shackle I hope? All these components would need thoroughly examining at some interval, regardless of whether you decide 6 or 12 months is adequate.Two load bearing steel surfaces wear away on one another over time, and if they're hidden behind a ceiling, with access through a small hole, this is near impossible to inspect, in fact, you could never thoroughly inspect them without removing them from the roof. A beam clamp as an accessory on its own does not need a proof load, but a house rigging point with a specified SWL would. A proof load is generally 110% - 125% of SWL dependant on what you're testing and whether you look at UK or EU Regs. I could go on and on, but you get the idea, conflicting information starts getting messy.

A ballroom means you're suspending over people, yes? Surely even more reason to ensure the equipment is fit for purpose. Generally when over people, and particularly with loads over 50% of the SWL of the lifting machines or primary suspension, we always provide a secondary backup safety suspension to the truss etc. How are you planning to attach this with such limited access?

 

Conclusion, I wouldn't be burying a beam clamp in a roof, I guess that's the simplest answer, as I say they're a temporary means of suspension, and realistically, they are a lifting accessory, LEEA's definitions of accessories/equipment/machines and their inspection intervals is entirely open to interpretation by whoever is competent . Cheap beam clamps in particular which are what are generally seen unless your paying £200+ from Crosby are prone to twisting and distortion, I've seen it a couple of times and they haven't seen a great deal of load. If they were on exposed beams it would be a different story, we all have a responsibility to check lifting kit before use, regardless of what paperwork says, and the location of them in this instance renders this impossible by any rigger going up to the points.

 

In my view beam clamps in this scenario are a cheap and completely unsuitable means of creating house points. If you need permanent house rigging points installing, employ a rigging company and engineering firm who can fabricate and install permanent brackets either onto or around the RSJ's. These would then be part of the structure, would be massively over engineered by design, and more than happy with a 12 month proof load and inspection. Ultimately, provided the roof can take the load you want, a purpose made bracket to create your point will be fine without needing to rip your carpet up in 6 months to look at it. I'm not one myself, but engineers are amazing people, I have installed points for silk artists weighing no more than 60kg which I was told I could ''hang a transit van off''... and the rest. Checking it would be about as pointless as checking all the RSJs holding the roof up were bolted up tight, Its designed to sit there indefinitely. If the carpet is so valuable surely what's underneath it is worth getting right in the first instance. You wouldn't tape up a leaking water pipe under a floor because it was easier, and then lay a custom carpet on top of that.

 

You may have guessed, this is what I do for a living. But its only my advice and personal opinion. If I can be of further help, drop me a message, but ultimately the decision lies with a competent person. Good luck.

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