Protective covering for conduit run.

[jnsane84]

I recently started at a new facility and there are alot of practices in place that i'm not familiar with as far as supplying power and air to machines. Everything i've connected in the past was terminated via a bussbar overhead with a normal conduit drop to the transformer. At my new job we have such an overwhelming amount of overhead cranes its virtually impossible to make any connections overhead so all connections and runs are made on the floor which leaves the conduit exposed past the sub-floor runs(worst case scenario is a 10' run). My question is this....does anyone have any suggestions which stay within regs as far as making or installing a cover/gaurd over these runs to preventdamage from forklifts as well preventing trip hazards. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and I hope this is a valid question for this forum.

 

[infinity]

To support the weight of a forklift and protect the conduit I would think that you would need a plate steel ramp of some sort. Is it possible to saw cut the concrete and recess the conduits below the floor. Or maybe you could pout a small concrete ramp over the conduits.

 

[jnsane84]

It doesnt have to hold the weight of a forklift it just need to protect the conduit runs from possible impact of forks, pallet jacks, etc.,. I cant recess it below the current surface or even pour over it. Our machines should have skates on them as much as we move em around. We currently use a fabbed up diamond plate structure thats bent at a 45 on either side and bolted to the floor. I'm attempting to fabricate a new cover but wasnt sure if the standards and reg's had any specifics of angle of the plate, weight capacity, etc.,. I thought of using 6" EMT split in half with tabs but a co worker said he thought that idea didnt meet code. Anybody got any code info for this type protective covering?

 

[H.L.]

Sounds to me like this is a good question for your company safety department. Have you consulted OSHA 1910 safety standards for general industry?
http://www.osha.gov You can also submit your question to OSHA for clarification.

H.L.

 

[DAWGS]

We do alot of the same installs, and use u-channel with plate welded off each side with tabs on corners to bolt down. also paint them safety yellow. By the way my shop is in Hampton, so I guess we are neibors.

 

[GilbeSpark]

Dawgs, would you mind taking a pic of that?