Issues with the ladder rest platform
Thread Content
According to national standards regarding the height of ladders, a rest platform should be provided when the ladder is more than three meters high. However, it seems that many large-scale equipment do not have such rest platforms; in fact, many people climb all the way to the top without stopping. What are people’s general views on this matter? Rest platforms are certainly provided to allow workers to take a break after climbing continuously, as it would otherwise be too exhausting. If people don’t climb up there frequently, but only occasionally for maintenance purposes, then is it unnecessary to have rest platforms? No matter how high?
The 3 meters you mentioned refer to the protective cage. The height of each flight of stairs should not exceed 9 meters; when it exceeds 9 meters, a landing should be provided. The stairs should be arranged in a staggered pattern. When the climbing height is 15 meters or less, the distance between landings should be 5–8 meters; if the height exceeds 15 meters, a landing should be installed every 5 meters. Safety railings must be installed on these landings.
HG/T20546.2-2009 \"Specifications for the Layout Design of Chemical Plant Equipment – Part 2: Design Engineering Specifications\" specifies some basic requirements in \"Chapter 4: Operating Platforms and Ladders\": The height of a straight ladder section should not exceed 9m; if it exceeds 9m, a platform should be provided between sections of the ladder to allow the ladder to be arranged in segments； When the climbing height is 15m or less, the landing between ladders is 5–8m; when it exceeds 15m, a landing is provided every 5m. (Standard 4.2.1, Clause 5, Table 3.2.1) https://mp.wei*n.qq.com/s/6p*P6Bjn2a5UXhdEudm3g
Platform ladders that are used frequently in operations must be equipped with the required safety devices, such as step brakes. This is especially true for those with testing ports on them; otherwise, the girls in the laboratory will scold you. Those used for maintenance don’t need such features
So there are actually standards for this as well. Our company’s tower is almost 40 meters tall. Although there is a platform every few meters, the ladder that goes from 15 meters up to the top of the tower runs continuously without any gaps in between – it’s truly an ingenious design. Looking down from the top of the tower is terrifying; it’s hard to keep climbing upwards, let alone take a break.
Platforms should be provided for equipment that is used frequently; it is ideal to keep the height of straight ladders below 6 meters.
I was wondering what the total height of the ladder in a storage tank is when a middle platform is required. Thank you!