Pipe racks, also called pipe bridges, offer your business long-lasting stability while supporting the load of heavy pipes. It's amazing how much weight these structural pipe racks can hold. But one thing to remember is — the heavier the load, the more hazardous it can be, so it's imperative that safety measures are in place and followed.
Structural pipe racks are exterior structures so they’re most often made from non-corrosive material. If not, they should be painted with powder coat to avoid corrosion from weather. These racks often support power cables and pipes in the chemical, petrochemical and power industries. Pipe racks usually transfer material between equipment and storage or utility areas.
Sizes will vary depending on job demands so be careful when choosing a site. The area for construction should be solid so it doesn’t collapse under the pressure of the racks. Carbis engineers can design pipe racks that not only work for your company’s specific needs but also ensure that these structures fulfill state and local codes and requirements.
There are a couple types of support racks that can be customized to fit your company’s needs as well as customized structures our engineers can design from scratch if required.
T-Support Racks can be built with a single or double level design. Their base plate mounting makes installation easier. T-Support racks have standard cross arms that are four feet long and supports are placed every 10-, 15- or 20-feet per weight and site requirements. They can also clear heights from 10- to 20-feet.
Bent Racks can be designed with one, two or three levels, which adds flexibility to your site if the future brings changes. Just like T-Support racks, bent racks will clear heights from 10- to 20-feet and have base plate mounting for simple installation. Spacing is wider at 20-, 25-, 30-, 40-, or 50-foot increments depending on load weight and site requirements.
Some structural pipe rack safety tips to keep in mind:
• Escape routes must be clear at all times.
• There should always be a minimum head height between walkways and pipe racks so workers can walk naturally underneath and not have to duck or squat to get through.
• Standardized ladders with equal distance between each step.
• Platforms should be standardized with a minimum width.
When you need structural pipe racks built for your business, contact Carbis. Our engineers can design the perfect structure to meet your business’s needs now and in the future.
