Metal Decking
Covering Roof and Floor Openings
Gaps or voids in roofs, floors, or other walking-working surfaces are holes with openings of 12 inches or more in the least dimension. Covers for roof and floor openings must be capable of supporting, without failure, twice the weight of the employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on them at any one time.
All covers must be:
- Secured when installed to prevent accidental displacement by the wind, equipment or employees.
- Painted with high-visibility paint, or
- Marked with the word "HOLE" or "COVER" to provide warning of the hazard.
Installed smoke dome or skylight fixtures are not considered covers, unless they meet the appropriate strength requirements.
Where planks or metal decking around columns do not fit tightly, wire mesh, exterior plywood, or equivalent material must be installed, and must be of sufficient strength to:
- provide fall protection for personnel
- prevent objects from falling through
Installation of Metal Decking
- Metal decking must be laid tightly and immediately secured to prevent accidental movement or displacement.
- Structural members must fully support metal decking panels during initial placement.
Derrick Floors
- To support the intended floor loading, a derrick floor must be fully decked and/or planked, and the steel member connections completed.
- Temporary loads placed on a derrick floor must be distributed over the underlying support members so as to prevent local overloading of the deck material.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-7. Covers for roof and floor openings must be capable of supporting _____, without failure.
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