Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Al Beevers
Am hoping that someone will see this and can help.
Having ruled out adapting a storage tank so that it can be entered any other way - cost would be prohibitive - I'm desperately trying to find a rescue tripod/bipod that can be used where there is low headroom - around 55".
All of the tripods that I can find on the market seem to have a minimum working height of over 70".
If anyone's come across one or wants to sell me one, I'd really like to hear from you.
Al.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Robert K Lewis
Al you really are going to be struggling with the specification you have given. The reason for the standard 175cm is to allow the person/victim to be lifted high enough to be pulled clear of the opening. You will find that many rescue stretchers actually need this amount of height.
I presume that you have overhead obstructions or a floor above. Some manufacturers may make a special for you but again costs will spiral upwards. Can you clear the headroom either by a floor opening above or pipe relocations?
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Al Beevers
Bob,
The vessel has essentially had the building built around it - well before CDM. It only stores water, but there would be severe problems in getting someone out if they broke a leg. We can't change the tank, we can't change the building. The safe system of work will involve two topmen and one to enter, so we're confident that if we can find a shorter tripod, we'll be ok.
Costs in this organisation aren't too much of a problem.
Al.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Frank Hallett
Hi Al
I don't normally provide free advertising for commercial organisations but HSS do a really good Davit/crane arm for difficult CS entries and it may well suit your situation.
Frank Hallett
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Lynne Ratcliffe
Al
Look at cave and mine rescue equipment they are specifically designed to work with very low headroom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Derek Holt
Try a quad pod. These do not have a fixed head so can be reduced down in size by splaying the legs out more. If required two legs can be removed to form a bipod, although in this case this may not help. Can also attach winch to one of the legs as normal. Alternatively can you fix an anchor point above the point of entry or close to it. If possible this would be preferable. Even if not directly over the access hole then a simple deviation can be set up. Such a system will provide the maximum height for extraction (55). Had a similar problem with a previous client and found this to be a succesful means, more flexible and actually less costly (if that matters). Davits can be problematic if the top of the tank is not flat, also most can not reduce down to the size you require.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Sally
This may be a complete none starter but what is causing the low head room and can it be used as a fixing point for a winch. I've had a previous situation where this was the case. The beam had actually been installed as a lifting beam but never tested or marked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Stuart Nagle
After reading allthe above responses, no one seems to have mentioned the fact that
the CS regs require, in considering improvements, the need to prevent entry where
possible and to improve access where entry cannot be avoided.
If this is a tank, why not consider putting access at the floor level by inserting an access
panel (bolt on) at floor level. I know you state that costs would be incurred but
trying to fit a winching device into a 55 inch space is impractical and does not
in essence make access/egress or rescue any safer.
If a hole were cut in the tank at floor level (even if a wall had to be modified to do this) which is not
exspensive, the hole could be reinforced (welded plates and seams) and a bolt-ob cover
provided.
This would permit easy access/egress to the tank and permit rescue, should it be required,
quite easily. The tank could also be well ventilated by opening both top and bottom
access/egress points before entry to permit the atmosphere to be 'normalised' so far as is practicable
before any entry commenced.
The additional benefit is that it would also permit any residual contents to be reoved, so far as possible,
prior to atmosphere testing and entry taking place.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Frank Hallett
Hi stuart
Als' original question appeared to address the issues of preventing entry or modification.
As it's not within our knowledge to "2nd guess" whether the original extimation of difficulty &/or cost is valid from our external point of view, we must content ourselves with dealing with the question as posed.
Frank Hallett
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Davelfc
Al,
I have picture in my mind and may be barking up the wrong tree but you may be able to put a fixed pully wheel vertically above the entrance and have a winch line and winch set up horizontally if as ealrier suggested you can fix above?
This will also be dependant on the background of material you are fixing to?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Stuart Nagle
Hi Frank
Thanks for your comment. I read that entry was required, hence the need for
the mechanical assistance where a tripod was deemed unsuitable.
This of course necessitates the need for a safe system of work under the CS Regs,
which includes entry, being in the space, exit from the space and emergency and rescue.
The CS Regs as I recall requires entry to be avoided and where entry cannot be avoided
the safe system of work must consider all the areas defined by the list provided in the regs,
which of course includes the above.
The regs also refer to 'modifying' as you correctly state, but I do not recall the term
SFAIRP being mentioned - in other words if entry must be made the safe system of work
must include any modifications necessary to safely facilitate the entry, being in the space,
exit and rescue and emergency.
As we know, confined space 'incidents' occur far too regularly and generally end
with at least one, if not multiple fatalities. In this question, if the access
is so restricted one has to ask how the other requirements (as per the CS Regs list) such
as removal of contents and flushing ect and others such as ventilation and
normalisation of the atmosphere where practicable are being complied with.
Taking into consideration that this may be a regular occurrence for cleaning and
repairs or inspection of the space, you surely must consider suitable modifications
to enable safer working...
Regards...
Stuart
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Al Beevers
Thanks to all the responses. To clear up some of the reasons why access etc was needed......
Access is needed only once per year, for the physical scouring of the tanks inner wall - as part of the L8 regime for leginella control. I looked into many cleaning systems with 'stingers' , but they won't scour.
The tanks could be modified, but this would lead to problems with the water supply system, and a much greater chance for critical leaks.
I have found an access tripod that will fulfil the needs of entry, but have discussed with the water hygiene folk an apporach of 'inspect first, and only enter to clean IF necessary' - hence cutting down on the need to actuatlly go in. Also have found long hosed vacuum units that will allow some of the smaller units to be cleaned without entry.
Cheers for all your help.
Al.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Helen C Al, I work closely with a company that imports and sells a number of specialist tripods, monopods etc for awkward access situations. They have a tripod (specially designed for access into tanks) that can be set up with as little headroom as 25". Probably pricey but from what I know of them, they are excellent pieces of kit. Sounds like you're sorted already but email me if you want more info and I'll give you their details. Helen hcollins@csts.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.