Rope and Sling Specialists (RSS) is proof load testing 24 jibs and beams that are being installed at a waste-to-energy power plant in North Wales, UK.
France-based Lab, which is developing the power plant building, commissioned RSS to test the equipment over the course of three separate two-day visits.
Gary Coleman, site engineer at RSS, said: “We need to complete the tests in line with the stringent requirements of the site. The beams within the penthouse area of the building were required for installing filler bags and a separate contractor required certification of the hoists and beams so they could use them. The contract included the inspection of chain blocks and trolleys as they were installed. Remedial works will be handled as required.”
Coleman also pointed out the project’s biggest challenge: “The client specifically stated that no pulling of the steel structure is allowed anywhere on site. This meant we had to adopt a more complex testing method from start to finish, adding time, cost, and manual handling.
“We carried out testing by using live loads (or weights). We transported weights in our vans to site – a 625 kg weight and a little basket tare weight [weighing 34 kg]. We also bolted a 5-tonne safe working load (SWL) bracket into the concrete floor, held in place with four M12x120 mm through bolts. Once we had completed testing, we used a grinder to cut off flush to the floor and hammered the remainder below floor level to ensure no trip hazard remained.”
