Façade Access Equipment: Structural Design, Evaluation, and Testing

Abstract

• Sponsored by the Committee on Seismic Effects on Nonstructural Components of the Architectural Engineering Institute of ASCE

  Façade Access Equipment provides structural engineering guidance regarding the design, evaluation, and testing of permanent anchorages and components that support façade access equipment and fall-arrest systems. Currently this equipment is governed by sections of the Code of Federal Regulations maintained by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Many OSHA requirements are not written using terminology that is commonly used by structural engineers, so this book conveys the generally understood meaning of the regulations in terms familiar to structural engineers.

  The introduction to this book reviews OSHA requirements for permanent, building-supported façade access equipment, discusses structural load testing, and surveys common types of façade access equipment. Key terms are defined, and design requirements are discussed for the following types of equipment: davits and davit bases, outriggers, rooftop carriages, tieback anchorages, lifelines and fall-arrest anchorages, fall-restraint systems and anchorages, wind sway protection systems, and platforms. Methods of evaluation and testing are presented, including visual observations and calculations, materials testing, and load testing. Separate commentary chapters elaborate on various OSHA requirements.

  Structural engineers, architects, building officials, and allied professionals will benefit from this clear guidance regarding nonstructural components for access and safety.