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Step #2 - Select a Design Team
With a system concept and use in mind, the lead building representative should contract the design to an experienced suspended maintenance firm, just as they would with mechanical or electrical systems. Typical designs range from $300 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the project.
Free Designs can be acquired through numerous fall protection firms if proper information is made available. For smaller projects this may work well, however, for larger or complex projects a professionally designed system will save money due to clarity. Saving on a design fee can end up costing the owner much more in contractor confusion, change orders, or inaccurate bidding based on insufficient drawing information.
By paying for designs, the lead design firm can own these drawings and have the right to bid them to the other contractors. The chosen contractor that installs the suspended maintenance system will ultimately be responsible for the overall standards compliance of the system.
Step #3 - Preparing the Bid Documents
The fall protection design firm should include the following:
Anchor System Layout - The designer should provide design drawings that clearly indicate the location and type of anchorage system proposed.
Anchorage System Details & Material
Specifications - The bid should clearly explain the system and the components' capabilities, so that if other anchor manufacturers bid the project, the owner and contractor can compare apples to apples. If the designer specifies their own anchor, be certain that equivalent anchors of other manufacturers are allowed, granted they meet the minimum requirements of OSHA/ANSI.
Value Engineering Options - Each bidder should have the opportunity to provide any value engineering options and explain the benefits. The value engineering option must comply with standards and maintain end user function.
Compliance Issues - Each bidder should have the opportunity to address any compliance issues with the proposed design since they will be fully responsible for the entire anchor system.
Loading Requirements - Even though OSHA and ANSI state minimum requirements for fall arrest anchors, many contractors and manufacturing firms over build, under build, or create a faulty design through inexperience. Unfortunately, it is an attempt to save money that in reality costs the owner much more. Rarely can a contractor beat the price of a professional anchor firm due to volume of specialized equipment and processes.
This anchor fails due to an inadequate U-Bar for attachment. In addition to the anchor failing, the main pipe was oversized causing this to be an expensive anchor. Professional anchor firms have in house testing to eliminate the guesswork. These simple steps will ensure that the building owner will receive a compliant and efficient suspended building maintenance system.
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