Generator Access Platform – Before and After

Generators are a necessary purchase for most commercial establishments, and not to mention an expensive investment to dismiss their condition and the location where it is placed. When mulling over how to protect your investment purchase, you must consider your facility’s needs and location. A careless installation could lead to expensive repairs in due time!

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The lifespan of a generator can be affected by several environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and altitude. In general, higher temperatures and humidity levels can shorten the lifespan of a generator, while higher altitudes can lengthen it. Generators are designed to operate within a certain temperature range, and extremes of heat, cold, or even rainfall can cause problems. High humidity levels can also lead to corrosion, while dust and other airborne particles can clog the circuits and lead to premature wear. Generators are also susceptible to vibration, which can be caused by wind or traffic. Exposure to these conditions can cause components to loosen or break, resulting in reduced efficiency and an increased risk of failure. By understanding how the environment can affect a generator, you can take steps to protect it and extend its life.

When starting and maintaining a generator’s operation, ambient temperature is critical. No matter what fuel is used to power a generator, the combustion process needs a certain amount of available air, and if there isn’t enough air, the engine might not start.

To protect your generator from being flooded, there are a few things you can do:

1. Make sure that the generator is installed on the high ground. This will help to ensure that it is not inundated by rising water levels.
2. Consider installing a flood gate or other barrier around the generator. This will help to keep water out in the event of a flood.
3. Regularly test the generator’s flood protection measures to ensure they are working properly.

By taking these steps, you can help to protect your generator from floods and other damage.

Generators and HVAC systems must also be inspected and maintained regularly. These devices are frequently installed on rooftops; if repair and service technicians cannot securely reach these units, the risk of injury increases. In addition to working in an inherently hazardous environment (the roof), maintenance staff may also have to contend with wet floors.

In Erectastep’s project of replacing a temporary platform in the ‘before’ photo above, the wood and metal support’s wobbly conditions certainly do not meet OSHA regulations.

The facility’s generator needed a more permanent access platform, as the old wood and metal temporary supports might falter due to wear and tear. The new platform needed to be able to support the weight of the generators, as well as withstand winds and other weather conditions. It was also important that the platform be easy to access so that maintenance and repairs could be carried out quickly and safely. After considering all of these factors, the decision was made to install an Erectastep generator access platform. The aluminum platform can now support the generator’s weight and is much more durable than the previous wood-and-metal combo. Our modular metal stairs also comply with both OSHA and IBC mandates to prevent accidental trips and falls. This has helped improve safety at the facility and made it easier for maintenance and repairs to be carried out.

For good measure, the powder-coated metal guardrails also protect against accidental workplace falls. According to OSHA regulations, railings must meet height requirements and weight limits to be effective. However, many people don’t realize that these requirements exist for a reason. The truth is, if a guardrail isn’t strong enough, it could collapse and cause serious injury or even death. While there are many different platform factors to consider, you should also take into account OSHA and IBC stair guidelines for worker safety.

So next time you choose an access platform for your establishment, ensure it meets the OSHA requirements. A short-term platform solution may seem to save you money initially, but you’ll end up regretting it. Sooner or later, something is bound to go wrong. Why take the risk when you can avoid expensive OSHA penalties and worker compensation claims altogether? Not only could the Erectastep work platforms save lives and provide protection against falls, but its bright, yellow powder coating also gives a visual reminder to hint workers to always be safe.