| Founded in 1991, the C.S. Caulkins
Co., Inc. is an engineering consulting firm specializing in "man-rated"
equipment systems: mechanisms that are relied upon to support people working
over great heights. Although our engineering efforts have concentrated
on window cleaning and facade access equipment and related fall protection
techniques, past projects have also included the preparation of Building
Access Plans for personnel rigging when maintaining sloping roofs, fall
protection for workers on building ledges, plus fall protection systems
over entertainment and sports arenas - supplying safety for lighting and
electrical crews in the entertainment industry.
In California, roof tie-back anchors are required
on all buildings exceeding 36 feet in height for “unscheduled”
maintenance. Most high-rise roof tops around the country have them for
safety line tie-offs. In either case, the anchors are structurally designed
to safely carry a line load of 5,400 pounds in any direction. The load
requirement recently reduced to a 5,000 pound capacity, incorporates the
requirement for dynamic loading of a 250 pound man free falling six feet
before being quickly de-accelerated in a stopping condition, multiplied
by a four to one safety factor. The design clause, “in any direction”
is required due to the unpredictable nature of a cleaner’s set up.
An anchor that is adjacent to one drop may actually be used as a safety
line tie-off for another drop on the other side of the building. |
