Expert
Testing and expert services
As specialists for silo and tank systems, bulk material and fluid storage systems, we act in the knowledge that we have extensive plant and specification knowledge. We offer our customers the opportunity to benefit from our many years of experience.
Testing of fixed ladders according to DGUV Information 208-032, TRBS 2121 and ASR 1.8 | BGI/GUV-I 5189 | EN 14122-2
Our services:
Testing of:
We carry out tests on the fixed fixed fixed ladders during operation.
Testing of fixed ladders on structural equipment (e.g. cooling towers, chimneys, silos, etc.) Independent of weather conditions with regard to safety aspects.
Testing in accordance with DGUV I 208-032 - (previously: BGI/GUV-I 5189), TRBS2121, ASR A1.8, BetrSichV
As experts, we comply with the requirements to carry out the tests properly and in accordance with the standards with sound data.
- Initial inspections with assignment of inventory numbers
- Hazard assessments and setting of deadlines
- Fastening tests by dowel tests and/or endoscopy
- recurring tests of fixed fixed ladders & step irons
- Labelling by means of basic placards & test placards
- Court-proof documentation of the tests
- special test protocols
Testing of:
- Fixed ladders for structural apparatus according to DIN 18799-1 and DIN 18799-2
- Emergency ladder systems according to DIN 14094-1
- Fixed ladders for buildings and shafts according to DIN EN 14396
- Fixed ladders as user account for mechanical equipment according to DIN EN ISO 14122-4
- Crampons and step irons on chimneys and chimney linings, according to DGUV Information 201-055
- Fixed ladders for chimneys DIN 18799-3
- Steps on free-standing chimneys in solid construction DIN 1056, DIN 13084 part 1 to 7
We carry out tests on the fixed fixed fixed ladders during operation.
Testing of fixed ladders on structural equipment (e.g. cooling towers, chimneys, silos, etc.) Independent of weather conditions with regard to safety aspects.
Testing in accordance with DGUV I 208-032 - (previously: BGI/GUV-I 5189), TRBS2121, ASR A1.8, BetrSichV
As experts, we comply with the requirements to carry out the tests properly and in accordance with the standards with sound data.
Implementation of a test concept for silo systems according to BetrSichV
Legal background
Based on the instructions for the inspection of the stability of structural facilities by the owner/authorised party of the ARGE Bau (Conference of Building Ministers of the Federal States), the VDI guideline 6200 Stability of Structures - Regular Inspection, the BetrSichV as well as the information of the BG RCI of July/ August 20201, the following inspection concept is proposed for the silo facilities:
Threats
In the course of their use, silos and their discharge devices wear out at different rates depending on the abrasive (i.e. grinding/ rubbing) properties of the stored material. This can affect the tightness of the silo walls as well as the stability of the silo structure.
The stability is also influenced by weathering influences such as wind, snow or standing moisture. External influences such as the starting up of the supports, the generation of negative pressure inside the containers during material removal or positive pressure during filling can also cause the silo to become unstable.
Further hazards can result from the functional efficiency of the attachments required for the operation of the silo. These include in particular overfill prevention devices, level indicators, explosion protection flaps, venting devices or filter elements.
Regular inspection
To ensure the safe operation of the silo, the entire construction and its attachments must be maintained in accordance with the regulations. The building law defines stationary silo installations as constructions with a static contact to the underground, i.e. structures. The owner or the person authorized to dispose of the silos is responsible for proper maintenance, i.e. servicing, checking and, if necessary, repairing them, as well as being responsible for the traffic safety of the construction.
The regular inspection ensures that the load-bearing structure is stable throughout the entire service life of the silo facility and that it is recognised in good time when upgrading measures are required to ensure the load-bearing capacity. A possible graded procedure for checking the stability consists of an inspection by the owner or the person(s) entitled to dispose, a visual inspection by a competent person and a detailed inspection by a particularly competent person.
As a rule, the walk-through inspection serves as a check between inspections by competent persons. If damage is found, it is recommended that the owner/authorised party - if he is not himself competent - consult a competent or particularly competent person.
Inspection of explosion-endangered systems (Ex systems)
For the construction and operation of electrical systems in potentially explosive atmospheres, extensive expertise is required. As an approved inspection body (ZÜS) for fire and explosion protection, we would be pleased to support you in this.
The legal basis for the safety-related assessment and testing of electrical systems in hazardous areas is provided by the Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV), the Explosion Protection Regulation (ExVO) as well as the rules for avoiding the dangers of explosive atmospheres with a collection of examples (BGR 104 / DGUV Rule 113-001 Explosion Protection Rules - EX-RL).
Our services at a glance:
- Project-accompanying tests already in the planning phase as well as during reconstruction measures in order to ensure the fastest possible process and economic solutions.
- Testing of systems in potentially explosive atmospheres according to §14, §15, §16 BetrSichV
- Support in the preparation of explosion protection documents Expert opinions and statements on explosion protection
- Classification of explosion protection zones (EX-RL)
- Systematic ignition hazard assessment for explosion-proof non-electrical devices
- Advice on avoiding electrostatic ignition hazards
- Advice on the systematic development of risk-appropriate explosion protection concepts
- Systematic determination of causes following explosion events
- Consulting on the selection of suitable protective measures for explosion protection, e.g: Inerting, technical ventilation, explosion-proof construction, explosion pressure relief, explosion suppression, explosion decoupling
- Assessment of the fire and explosion behaviour of flammable substances
The most important innovations for Ex plants are:
- Inspection of the explosion safety of installations at least every six years
- Inspection of the technical explosion protection of equipment, protective systems, safety, control and regulating devices in the sense of Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX) at least every three years
- At least annual inspection of ventilation systems, gas warning and inerting devices
- Plants subject to licensing must always be inspected by a ZÜS - both before commissioning and on a regular basis. A test report from an approved inspection agency is already required when applying for a permit.
Ex-plants subject to approval in the sense of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health are the plants listed in § 18 (1):
- Gas filling stations (with flammable gases within the meaning of point 2.2 of Annex 1 to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p. 1) for use as motor fuel or heating fuel)
- Storage facilities (storage facilities intended for the storage of flammable liquids with a total volume of more than 10,000 litres, unless rooms or areas belong to facilities according to numbers 5 to 7,
- Filling stations (more than 1 000 litres per hour, intended for filling transport containers with flammable liquids)
- Petrol stations (fixed installations for the refuelling of land, sea and air vehicles with flammable liquids)
- airfield refuelling facilities (fixed installations or areas on airfields where aircraft fuel tanks from hydrant systems are filled with flammable liquids).
"Performance of expert tests on anchorage devices"
Hazards occur in your company which you must recognise and avert. There are regulations for this which are binding for you. Due to the legal certainty required, these regulations are often not written in the language of practice. The practitioner in the company therefore often wonders which regulation applies to him, where he can find it and how he should implement it. This is exactly where this guideline comes in: With this guideline, we would like to give you the "certainty of action" you need to be on the "safe side" in your everyday business. This is especially true when the failure of a single component - namely a stop device - can have fatal consequences. As is well known, "air hooks" cannot hold people who fall, even if the PPE used to prevent falls is in proper condition; because: "Every chain is only as strong as its weakest link". This also applies in full to PPE against falls from a height, including the anchorage device - here the weakest link could be the anchorage device. However, the problem with assessing the suitability of a fall arrest system is that it is usually impossible to tell whether it is holding securely or not. This question, which may be decisive for life or death, can only be answered and documented by regular and effective testing by experts. This guideline therefore describes which types of anchorage devices exist, how anchorage devices should be tested, who is allowed to carry out these tests and how the results should be documented. Definitions Anchorage devices (AE) are components of personal fall protection systems (see also DIN EN 363:2008) Personal fall protection systems protect the user from a fall, either by preventing a fall (restraint system) or by arresting a free fall (fall arrest system). They consist of a body support device (e.g. a harness) connected to a reliable anchorage (structure) by a fastening system. Components of the attachment system may include, for example, lanyards, fall arresters, fall arresters, fall arresters and anchorage devices.
What forces are to be applied for fastening anchorage devices to the building structure or base. Information on forces which can be used as load assumptions for the selection, the verification of the fastening devices with the base and the structural system by an engineer can be taken from the information provided by the manufacturer, e.g. in the installation instructions. Load data from the standard for anchorage devices (DIN EN 795) cannot be used here, since these same loads refer to the safety requirements for the manufacture of the anchorage device in question and not its attachment to the subsoil/structure. To ensure that the forces are properly dissipated in the actual building situation, it is recommended that the assembler checks the actual installation situation with the planning data before setting up the anchorage system and assesses the subsoil.
General
The probability of falling is not small, because the risk of falling is almost a normal occurrence at higher workplaces and on traffic routes
. The use of collective protective measures is often not feasible, so that personal protective equipment is used. In this context, all those involved in the construction, such as employers, employees and building owners, are obliged to provide or use suitable anchorage devices on the basis of the most varied legal bases.
In order for anchorage devices to offer sufficient protection, they must be appropriately dimensioned and connected to the ground and the building in such a way that they hold securely on the one hand and can safely dissipate the forces that occur on the other. Improper installation or improper condition of the anchorage devices can lead to a complete failure of the fall protection systems and thus to a fatal risk to the user. Note: Extensive series of tests have shown that approx. 20 % of the tested anchorage systems are not safe due to the use of unsuitable fasteners or improper installation.
Due to the risk of a pendulum fall or high incalculable falling distances, single attachment points are suitable for securing a small working area alone. The correct selection and arrangement of slinging equipment must be accepted per se in the course of planning the structure, paying attention to the subsequent work with the risk of falling. (Basic information for planning is available at www.bauforumplus.eu/absturz.html under the heading D-A-CH-S) It should also be noted that the forces introduced by the anchorage system in the event of a fall arrest are always taken into account in the course of structural planning. The manufacturer of anchorage devices must observe the basic requirements of the PPE directive before placing them on the market. After a successful EC type examination, he confirms conformity with such a directive by affixing the CE mark on the anchorage device.
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