Structural and Platform Requirements
In general, equipment located over 15 m from grade, as well as equipment at any elevation that is not accessible to mobile cranes, shall be provided with built-in handling facilities. For such applications, trolley beams should be designed for operation of two sets of trolleys and hoists.
Structural and Platform Requirements | Safety Considerations for Plant Layout Levels
Handling devices shall be provided with space for setting down the load for maintenance and servicing. Where drop areas are inside structures, removable platforms may have to be provided to permit use of the facility.
Where parts such as exchanger shell covers are to be stored on platforms, the platform width shall accommodate both the size and the weight of the part and also allow for a working space around it.
Valves located in an elevated pipeway shall have platforms provided for easy access to valve hand wheels. Caged access ladders shall be installed at each end of the platform on opposite sides of the pipeway. Each valve shall be clearly identified by a sign and/or coding.
Walking and Working Surfaces
General Requirements
Walking/working surfaces shall be designed to avoid slippery conditions and tripping hazards. In addition, walkways shall be free of obstructions.
Valves shall be installed and clearly identified in a safe, easily accessible location.
Stairs and Ladders
Stairs shall be the primary access to heater platforms, air coolers, main operating levels, main service levels, and roofs of buildings supporting major equipment. Ladders shall be used for access to equipment, platforms on vessels, battery limit valves, or auxiliary service platforms. Design and construction of all ladders and stairs shall confirm to ANSI A14.3 or ANSI A64.1 respectively.
Emergency Response Considerations
Designated walkways and stairways between routinely occupied work areas shall have adequate vertical and horizontal clearance for emergency response personnel and their equipment.
Pipeways and Structure Clearances
Pipeways running parallel to roads shall have 1.5 m clear from edge of shoulder to centerline of support column. This applies to structure support columns also. Pipeways crossing roads shall have 1.5 m clear from edge of shoulder to centerline of support column. Minimum vertical clearance under a pipeway shall be 4.6 m measured from high point of paving to bottom of lowest obstruction. This is to allow clearance of maintenance equipment. See Exhibit 2.