12.8.1 Installation of the Equipment

  1. The mobile supporting structures should be assembled and erected fully in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, which may vary dependent on the design. Any departure from the recommended procedure should be approved by the manufacturer. Always pay due attention to safety and avoid dangerous practices. (See section 12.11 SAFE USE OF MOBILE SUPPORTING STRUCTURES)

  2. Great care must be taken to ensure only components to the manufacturer’s original specification are used. This is especially important in the case of self-erecting and foldaway designs as with regular dismantling and reassembly parts are more liable to be mislaid.

  3. The overall stability of the mobile supporting structures depends on a suitable floor, capable of supporting the concentrated point loads of the castors or jacks without movement. Mobile supporting structuress should never be used on slopes or inclines; the surface must be level and even; jacks may be used for minor levelling adjustments only. Caution must be exercised to avoid hidden dangers such as buried cables, pipes and ducts which may affect the load bearing capability of the floor on which the mobile supporting structures is to be used. This may be achieved using floor plates to arrive at an acceptable ground loading.

  4. The floor should be level so that the centre line of the supports is vertical and the runway beam is level. Jacks may be used to achieve this, but these should not be raised higher than is necessary and the manufacturer’s specific instructions regarding their use should be obtained and observed.

  5. The erection of the lifting appliance, and where necessary the power feed system, should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. See also section x-svn:///svn/leea/dita/xml/topics/TOP_00000000/TOP_00000048.html, x-svn:///svn/leea/dita/xml/topics/TOP_00000000/TOP_00000157.html and x-svn:///svn/leea/dita/xml/topics/TOP_00000000/TOP_00000323.html, of this code for further guidance.

  6. On completion of erection, the structure should be checked to ensure all bolts and fixings are correctly in place and tightened. All pre-service checks necessary for the power feed system and lifting appliance should also be completed in accordance with the relevant sections of this code and the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that the runway beam is level before use and that the appropriate support point at each corner is in full contact with the floor.