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www.HITE-engineering.com

LIMITED TESTING OF KEEGUARD SAFETY GATE

HITE Project No. 15-9954

Prepared for:

Mr. John Ingram Global Product Manager – Fall Protection

KEE SAFETY GROUP

Unit 2A, Cradley Business Park Overend Road, Cradley Heath,

West Midlands, B64 7DW United Kingdom

Prepared by: Ken Waddington, P. Eng., PMP

Senior Consultant

Date: May 28, 2015

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May 28, 2015 KEE SAFETY GROUP Unit 2A, Cradley Business Park Overend Road, Cradley Heath, West Midlands, B64 7DW United Kingdom Attn: Mr. John Ingram

Global Product Manager – Fall Protection Re: Limited Testing of KEEGUARD© SAFETY GATE

HITE Project No. 15-9954 Mr. Ingram, The attached report that was commissioned by KEE Safety Limited (UK), describes the rationale and limited testing conducted by HITE Engineering Corporation’s premises on May 25, 2015. This testing was designed to examine if the proposed KEEGUARD© Safety Gate could resist the loads required as per OSHA 1910, OBC and NBC. The testing consisted to applying 255 lb (1.0kN) horizontally to each of the top and mid rails separately. Additionally, a 338 lb (1.5 kN) load was applied to the top rail vertically downward, separately from the above two (2) tests. In these three (3) test load cases, it was observed that the KEEGUARD© Safety Gate successfully resisted the applied loads set out to meet or exceed the loadings specified in the relevant OSHA 1910, OBC and NBC regulations. I would be pleased to disscuss this report and its conclusions at your request. HITE Engineering appreciates your ongoing confidence in providing testing services for you and we thank you for this opportunity to conduct the testing and preparation of the attached report. Yours sincerely, Ken Waddington, P.Eng, PMP Senior Consultant

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Table of Contents SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Objective ................................................................................................................................................ 5

Background ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Scope of Work ....................................................................................................................................... 5

Limitation ............................................................................................................................................... 5

Referenced Documents ......................................................................................................................... 6

Applicable Code ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Specific Code Requirements: ............................................................................................................. 6

OSHA 1910.23 ................................................................................................................................ 6

Ontario Building Code (OBC) .......................................................................................................... 6

National Building Code of Canada (NBC)........................................................................................ 7

Test Samples ......................................................................................................................................... 7

Methods of Installation ........................................................................................................................... 7

Test Methods ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Horizontal Load Testing ...................................................................................................................... 9

Top Rail Testing .............................................................................................................................. 9

Mid Rail Testing .............................................................................................................................. 9

Vertical (Downward) Load Testing ...................................................................................................... 9

Results Summary ................................................................................................................................. 10

Conclusions ......................................................................................................................................... 12

Table of Figures Figure 1: Vertical Load Arrangement ...................................................................................................... 8 Figure 2: Horizontal Load Arrangement.................................................................................................. 8 Figure 3: Top Rail Horizontal Testing ................................................................................................... 10 Figure 4: Mid Rail Horizontal Testing ................................................................................................... 11 Figure 5: Top Rail Vertical Testing ....................................................................................................... 12

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SUMMARY The KEEGUARD© Safety Gate limited sample testing revealed that it can resist the minimum horizontal loads applied to the mid and top rails and the minimum downward (vertical) loads applied to the top rail as specified in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 1910, the Ontario Building Code (OBC), and the National Building Code of Canada (NBC). Our conclusions are based on limited testing of the KEEGUARD© Safety Gates supplied by KEE Safety Limited for testing at HITE Engineering Corporation’s premises on May 25th, 2015. The limited testing was observed:

1. Top Rail Horizontal Load Test. The gate top rail resisted an applied load of 225 lb (1.0 kN) applied horizontally.

2. Mid Rail Horizontal Load Test. The gate mid rail resisted an applied load of 225 lb (1.0 kN) applied horizontally.

3. Top Rail Vertical Load Test. The gate top rail resisted an applied load of 338 lb (1.5 kN)

applied vertically downward.

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LIMITED TESTING OF KEEGUARD© SAFETY GATE

Introduction HITE Engineering Corporation was commissioned by KEE Safety Ltd, to study the impact of horizontal and vertical loading capacity of the KEEGUARD© Safety Gate by way of applying loads as specified in OSHA 1910, OBC and NBC. The testing regime devised for this study was conducted at HITE’s testing lab on May 25th, 2015 on test specimens supplied by KEE Safety Ltd.

Objective The objective of the engineering study was to establish if the Safety Gates will resist the required design loads stipulated in the stated codes.

Background The KEEGUARD© free standing guardrail system is manufactured and marketed by KEE Safety Limited. The KEEGUARD© system is a modular free standing guardrail system designed to provide fall protection to workers accessing access walkways to equipment platforms, contiguous stairs and similar areas on roof tops where the gathering of many people are improbable. The system is designed to work as a free standing structure without penetrating the roof membrane. The KEEGUARD© Safety gate is intended to be used with the KEEGUARD© system.

Scope of Work The focus of this study will be exclusively on the effect of horizontal and vertical loading on the KEEGUARD Safety Gate.

Limitation The stated results and concluding remarks are strictly limited to the samples tested under the scope of this study.

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Referenced Documents The following documents were referenced in our review:

KeeGuard© Ladder Kit Operation & Maintenance Manual

Applicable Code The following code was referenced during our examination:

OSHA 1910.23

Ontario Building Code (OBC)

National Building Code of Canada (NBC)

Specific Code Requirements: While the codes discuss hand-rails and guards, it is generally understood that gates that are attached to guards and therefore have the same loading requirements. OSHA 1910.23 1910.23(e)(5)(iv)

The mounting of handrails shall be such that the completed structure is capable of withstanding a load of at least 200 pounds applied in any direction at any point on the rail.

Ontario Building Code (OBC) For the report 1.0 kN = 224.8 lbs, and 1.5kN = 337.2 lbs. An applied point load of 338 lb (1.5 kN) was applied at the center of the rail based on the rail span less than 1.0 m. (Actual span less than 36” (914 mm). 4.1.10.1. Loads on Guards (1) (b) a concentrated load of 1.0 kN applied at any point for access walkways to equipment

platforms, contiguous stairs and similar areas where the gathering of many people is improbable, and

(4) The minimum specified load applied vertically at the top of every required guard shall be 1.5 kN/m and need not be considered to act simultaneously with the horizontal load provided for in Sentence (1).

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National Building Code of Canada (NBC) Based on the figure below, the criteria in row two (2) is used “Guards serving access walkways to equipment platforms, contiguous stairs and similar areas”.

Test Samples

Item Model Type Description Sample Size

1 KEEGUARD© Safety Gate

Swing Gate Self-Closing Safety Gate

1

Methods of Installation

The following is an excerpt from the KeeGuard© Ladder Kit Operation & Maintenance Manual and it is generally accepted as a guideline for installing and operating the current specimen:

1. Align the fixing plate on internal face of the opening, so that the rails of the Safety Gate are level with the top of the Guardrail System. Pass the U-Bolt around the support leg/structure and feed through the top holes of the fixing plate.

2. Using a M10 flat washer and nut connect the U-Bolt to the Support Leg/Structure and tighten. 3. Pass the U-Bolt around the support leg/structure and feed through the bottom holes of the fixing

plate. 4. Using a M10 flat washer and nut connect the U-Bolt to the Support Leg/Structure and tighten. 5. Torque all nuts/U-Bolts to 39Nm using the 10mm socket and torque wrench.

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6. To cut the gate at the correct size simply place a straight edge/magnetic level as shown and measure the distance to the point where the outside edge of the vertical tube meets the supporting structure as shown. (DO NOT CUT AT THIS MARK!)

7. Disconnect the tubular gate from the hinge assemble by loosening the top and bottom cast clamp grub screw using a hex head socket as shown.

8. Measure the distance recorded in point (f) above and mark the gate top and bottom tubes as shown.

9. Using a hacksaw or similar carefully cut through the top and bottom tubes as shown. For galvanized assemblies, spray with Galvafoid or similar to prevent corrosion. Insert plastic bungs into ends of the tube, before returning into cast fitting.

10. Carefully re-position the gate top and bottom tubes into the cast fittings. Ensure striking plate is on the correct side of the Support Leg/Structure. Use a spirit level, to ensure the gate is level. Tighten the cast fittings grub screws using a hex head socket. Using a torque wrench ensure the castings are torqued to 39 Nm.

11. To tension the hinge loosen the locking nut as shown. 12. Manually open the gate at 45 degrees from its closed position. 13. Using the 24mm socket start to tighten the bolt until the gate completely closes. (Note:- You

may have to hold the socket whilst using the ratchet). 14. Once the gate is complete closed tighten the locking nut to hold the tension. Caution:- continue

to hold the ratchet firmly and do not release until the locking nut is tightened. Now remove the socket and spanner from the hinge. Repeat as necessary, to ensure that the gate closes sufficiently, once opened and released.

Test Methods The test apparatus consisted of two (2) mounting poles consisting of a 1.5” (38 mm) diameter round bar 48” (1 219mm) long, welded to a flat end plate 6” (152 mm) square. The end plate had four (4) holes drilled into it in a square corner pattern sufficient to accommodate 3/8” anchor bolts. Additionally, the HITE Engineering test frame was utilized as an loading anchor point along with a dynamometer and straps to measure the loading on the safety Gates.

Figure 2: Horizontal Load Arrangement

Figure 1: Vertical Load Arrangement

Mounting poles

Test frame

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The safety gate was tested in unique arrangements:

Horizontal Load Testing Top Rail Testing 1. The mounting poles were anchored to the concrete floor utilizing all four (4) 3/8” anchors.

The poles were spaced 36” (914 mm) apart in centre. 2. The KEEGUARD© Safety Gate was mounted to one mounting pole as specified in the

installation instructions provided, ensuring that the striker plate contacted the second mounting pole.

3. Using straps and the dynamometer, the top rail was connected to the HITE test frame, using the test frame as an anchor.

4. The top rail was loaded to a minimum load of 225 lb (1.0 kN) and observations were taken. Mid Rail Testing 1. The mounting poles were anchored to the concrete floor utilizing all four (4) 3/8” anchors.

The poles were spaced 36” (914 mm) apart in centre. 2. The KEEGUARD© Safety Gate was mounted to one mounting pole as specified in the

installation instructions provided, ensuring that the striker plate contacted the second mounting pole.

3. Using straps and the dynamometer, the top rail was connected to the HITE test frame, using the test frame as an anchor.

4. The mid rail was loaded to a minimum load of 225 lb (1.0 kN) and observations were taken.

Vertical (Downward) Load Testing

1. One mounting pole was anchored directly to the HITE test frame by way of two (2) anchor bolts.

2. The KEEGUARD© Safety Gate was mounted to the mounting pole as specified in the installation instructions provided, however the second pole was not used.

3. Using straps and a dynamometer, the top rail was connected to the HITE Test frame, using the test frame as an anchor.

4. The top rail was loaded to a minimum load of 338 lbs (1.5 kN) and observations were taken.

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Results Summary

Item Configuration Type Direction of Load (Horizontal/ Vertical)

Loading Result (Pass/ Fail)

Failure Mode

Comments

U Bolt Connection

1 Top Rail Horizontal Horizontal 225 lbs Pass

2 Mid Rail Horizontal Horizontal 225 lbs Pass

3 Top Rail Vertical Vertical 338 lbs Pass Actual 500 lbs

Figure 3: Top Rail Horizontal Testing

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Figure 4: Mid Rail Horizontal Testing

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Figure 5: Top Rail Vertical Testing

Conclusions The sample KEEGUARD Safety Gate successfully resisted the 225 lb (1.0 kN) horizontal loads applied to the top and mid rails, as well as the 338 lb (1.5k N) downward (vertical) loading on the top rail as specified in the OSHA 1910, OBC and NBC standards.