2.
|
Storage
|
| 2.1
|
Unwrap
the rope and examine the rope immediately after delivery to check
its identification and condition and verify that it is in accordance
with the details on the Certificates and/or other relevant documents.
Check the rope diameter and examine any rope terminations to ensure
that they are compatible with the equipment or machinery to which
they are to be fitted.
|
| 2.2 |
Select
a clean, well ventilated, dry, undercover location. Cover with waterproof
material if the delivery site conditions preclude inside storage.
Rotate the reel periodically during long periods of storage, particularly
in warm environments, to prevent migration of the lubricant from the
rope.
|
| Never
store wire rope in areas subject to elevated temperatures as
this may seriously affect its future performance. In extreme
cases its original as-manufactured strength may be severely
reduced rendering it unfit for safe use. |
|
| |
Ensure that the rope does not make any direct contact with the floor
and that there is a flow of air under the reel.
|
| Failure
to do so may result in the rope becoming contaminated with foreign
matter and start the onset of corrosion before the rope is even
put to work. |
|
| |
Support
the reel on a simple A-frame or cradle, located on ground which is
capable of supporting the total mass of rope and reel. Ensure that
the rope is stored where it is not likely to be affected by chemical
fumes, steam or other corrosive agents.
|
| Failure
to do so may seriously affect its condition rendering it unfit
for safe use. |
|
| 2.3
|
Examine
ropes in storage periodically and, when necessary, apply a suitable
dressing which is compatible with the manufacturing lubricant. Contact
the rope supplier, Bridon or original equipment manufacturer's (OEM)
manual for guidance on types of dressings available, methods of application
and equipment for the various types of ropes and applications.
Re-wrap the rope unless it is obvious that this will be detrimental
to rope preservation.
|
| Failure
to apply the correct dressing may render the original manufacturing
lubricant ineffective and rope performance may be significantly
affected. |
|
| |
Ensure
that the rope is stored and protected in such a manner that it will
not be exposed to any accidental damage either during the storage
period or when placing the rope in, or taking it out of storage.
|
| Failure
to carry out or pay attention to any of the above could result
in a loss of strength and/or a reduction in performance. In
extreme cases the rope may be unfit for safe use. |
|
| 4.
|
Handling
and Installation
|
4.1
|
Handling
and installation of the rope should be carried out in accordance with
a detailed plan and should be supervised by a competent person.
|
| Incorrectly
supervised handling and installation procedures may result in
serious injury to persons in the vicinity of the operation as
well as those persons directly involved in the handling and
installation. |
|
| 4.2 |
Wear
suitable protective clothing such as overalls, industrial gloves,
helmet, eye protectors and safety footwear (and respirator, particularly
where the emission of fumes due to heat is likely).
|
| Failure
to wear suitable protective clothing and equipment may result
in skin problems from over exposure to certain types of rope
lubricants and dressings; burns from sparks, rope ends, molten
lubricants and metals when cutting ropes or preparing sockets
for re-use; respiratory or other internal problems from the
inhalation of fumes when cutting ropes or preparing sockets
for re-use; eye injuries from sparks when cutting ropes; lacerations
to the body from wire and rope ends; bruising of the body and
damage to limbs due to rope recoil, backlash and any sudden
deviation from the line of path of rope. |
|
|
4.3
|
Ensure
that the correct rope has been supplied by checking to see that the
description on the Certificate is in accordance with that specified
in the purchaser's order.
|
| 4.4 |
Check
by measurement that the nominal diameter of the new rope conforms
to the nominal size stated on the Certificate.
For verification purposes, measure the diameter by using a suitable
rope vernier fitted with jaws broad enough to cover not less than
two adjacent strands. Take two sets of measurements spaced at least
3' apart, ensuring that they are taken at the largest cross-sectional
dimension of the rope. At each point take measurements at right angles
to each other.
The average of these four measurements should be within the tolerances
specified in the appropriate Standard or Specification.
For a more general assessment of rope diameter use a rope calliper.
|
| 4.5 |
Examine
the rope visually to ensure that no damage or obvious signs of deterioration
have taken place during storage or transportation to the installation
site.
|
| 4.6 |
Check
the working area around the equipment for any potential hazards which
may affect the safe installation of the rope.
|
| 4.7
|
Check
the condition of the rope-related equipment in accordance with the
OEM's instructions. Include the following -
|
| Drum |
| |
Check
the general condition of the drum.
If the drum is grooved, check the radius and pitch and ensure that
the grooves will satisfactorily accommodate the size of the new rope.
Check the condition and position of the kicker plates or wear plates,
if fitted, to ensure that the new rope will spool correctly on the
drum.
|
| Sheaves |
| |
Ensure
that the grooving is of the correct shape and size for the new rope
Check that all sheaves are free to rotate and in good condition.
|
| Rope
guards |
| |
Check
that any rope guards are correctly fitted and are in good condition.
Check the condition of any wear plates or rollers which are protecting
structural members.
|
| Failure
to carry out any of the above could result in unsatisfactory
and unsafe rope performance. |
|
| |
Note:
Grooves must have clearance for the rope and provide adequate circumferential
support to allow for free movement of the strands and facilitate bending.
When grooves become worn and the rope is pinched at the sides, strand
and wire movement is restricted and the ability of the rope to bend
is reduced.
|
| |
When
a new rope is fitted a variation in size compared with the old worn
rope will be apparent. The new rope may not fit correctly into the
previously worn groove profile and unnecessary wear and rope distortion
is likely to occur. This may be remedied by machining out the grooves
before the new rope is installed. Before carrying out such action
the sheaves or drum should be examined to ensure that there will be
sufficient strength remaining in the underlying material to safely
support the rope.
The competent person should be familiar with the requirements of the
appropriate application/machinery standard.
Note: General guidance to users is given in the Wire Rope
Users Manual.
Transfer the wire rope carefully from the storage area to the installation
site.
|
| Coils |
| |
Place
the coil on the ground and roll it out straight ensuring that it does
not become contaminated with dust/grit, moisture or any other harmful
material.
If the coil is too large to physically handle it may be placed on
a 'swift' turntable and the outside end of the rope pulled out allowing
the coil to rotate. |
| Never
pull a rope away from a stationary coil as this will induce
turn into the rope and kinks will form. These will adversely
affect rope performance. |
|
| Reels
|
| |
Pass
a shaft through the reel and place the reel in a suitable stand which
allows it to rotate and be braked to avoid overrun during installation.
Where multi-layer coiling is involved it may be necessary for the
reel to be placed in equipment which has the capability of providing
a back tension in the rope as it is being transferred from reel to
drum. This is to ensure that the underlying (and subsequent) laps
are wound tightly on the drum.
- Position the reel and stand such that the fleet angle during installation
is limited to 1.5 degrees.
- If a loop forms in the rope ensure that it does not tighten to form
a kink.
|
| A
kink can severely affect the strength of a six strand rope and
can result in distortion of a Rotation Resistant rope leading
to its immediate discard. |
|
| |
Ensure
that the reel stand is mounted so as not to create a reverse bend
during reeving (i.e. for a winch drum with an overlap rope, take the
rope off the top of the reel).
|
| 4.9
|
Ensure
that any equipment or machinery to be roped is correctly and safely
positioned and isolated from normal usage before installation commences.
Refer to the OEM's instruction manual and the relevant 'Code of Practice'.
|
| 4.10 |
When
releasing the outboard end of the rope from a reel or coil, ensure
that this is done in a controlled manner. On release of the bindings
and servings used for packaging, the rope will want to straighten
itself from its previously bent position. Unless controlled, this
could be a violent action. Stand clear.
|
| Failure
to control could result in injury. |
|
| |
Ensure
that the as-manufactured condition of the rope is maintained during
installation.
|
| |
If
installing the new rope with the aid of an old one, one method is
to fit a wire rope sock (or stocking) to each of the rope ends. Always
ensure that the open end of the sock (or stocking) is securely attached
to the rope by a serving or alternatively by a clip. Connect the two
ends via a length of fiber rope of adequate strength in order to avoid
turn being transmitted from the old rope into the new rope. Alternatively
a length of fiber or steel rope of adequate strength may be reeved
into the system for use as a pilot/messenger line. Do not use a swivel
during the installation of the rope.
|
| 4.11 |
Monitor
the rope carefully as it is being pulled into the system and make
sure that it is not obstructed by any part of the structure or mechanism
which may cause the rope to come free.
|
Failure
to monitor during this operation could result in injury.
|
|
| |
This
entire operation should be carried out carefully and slowly under
the supervision of a competent person.
|
| 4.12 |
Take
particular care and note the manufacturer's instructions when the
rope is required to be cut. Apply secure servings on both sides of
the cut mark.
Ensure that the length of serving is at least equal to two rope diameters.
(Note: Special servings are required for spiral ropes, i.e. spiral
strand and locked coil.)
One serving either side of the cut is normally sufficient for preformed
ropes. For non-preformed ropes, (i.e. Rotation Resistant ropes) a
minimum of two servings each side of the cut will be necessary.
Arrange and position the rope in such a manner that at the completion
of the cutting operation the rope ends will remain in position, thus
avoiding any backlash or any other undesirable movement.
Cut the rope with a high speed abrasive disc cutter. Other suitable
mechanical or hydraulic shearing equipment may be used although not
recommended when a rope end is required to be welded or brazed.
|
| When
using a disc cutter be aware of the danger from sparks, disc
fragmentation and fumes. |
|
| |
Ensure
adequate ventilation to avoid any build-up of fumes from the rope
and its constituent parts including any fiber core (natural or synthetic)
any rope lubricant(s) and any synthetic filling and/or covering
material.
|
| Rope
produced from carbon steel wires in the form shipped is not
considered a health hazard. During subsequent processing (e.g.
cutting, welding, grinding, cleaning) dust and fumes may be
produced which contain elements which may affect exposed workers. |
|
| |
The
products used in the manufacture of steel wire ropes for lubrication
and protection present minimal hazard to the user in the form shipped.
The user must however, take reasonable care to minimize skin and eye
contact and also avoid breathing their vapor and mist.
|