Access platforms standards
Access platforms standards
(OP)
Good day Folks,
Im a young civil engineer based at an LNG facility down in the Caribbean.
1. Are there any written industry standards or practices that state that pipe supports should not be tied to existing platforms??(mind you these platforms do experience vibrations).
2. Are there any written industry standards for access platforms/mobile platforms?I have checked PIP, OSHA.
For example: Minimum platform dimensions for one person to stand comfortably on, member sizes, stairs etc.
These platforms are simply to hold the weight of one person to access valves around critical equipment.
Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Im a young civil engineer based at an LNG facility down in the Caribbean.
1. Are there any written industry standards or practices that state that pipe supports should not be tied to existing platforms??(mind you these platforms do experience vibrations).
2. Are there any written industry standards for access platforms/mobile platforms?I have checked PIP, OSHA.
For example: Minimum platform dimensions for one person to stand comfortably on, member sizes, stairs etc.
These platforms are simply to hold the weight of one person to access valves around critical equipment.
Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.






RE: Access platforms standards
As far as supports not being tied to platforms, it's a judgment call. In most cases it's not economical to separate an access platform from a pipe support entirely, and there's not really a reason to. If there are significant vibrations you might isolate the rest of the steel. I've also had situations where I've ensured that a pipe support will break away from the structure in case of some sort of overstress. Neither of these things are particularly standard.
If the steel is properly designed to take all the associated loads, there's nothing wrong with supporting platforms and pipes from the same steel.
However, I'd be wary of designing any industrial steel to just hold 'one person'. You can put all the signs and warnings up that you want, you'll still end up with three guys, a welding rig and random equipment storage up there. The company will likely have a standard for area loading for platforms. Most places seem to standardize at around 100lb/ft^2 with some minor accessways being allowed to have 50lb/ft^2.
RE: Access platforms standards