A Presentation on “Guidelines for Issuing Structural Stability Certificate for Steel Structures” by Debasish Mondal,AGM (Strl) a competent person recognised by “Directorate of Factories and Boilers”

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Submission of Design drawings and documents by the factory owner is a mandatory prerequisite to proceed with this job. All assistance including manpower from the owner must be provided to get access to all areas for inspection. Guidelines mentioned below are limited to Steel Structural Buildings only, equipments, machineries, RCC & Masonry structures, Gaseous Installations etc are not covered.

Scope of Structural Inspection Collecting site layout of the factory and immediate surroundings including adjacent buildings and other structure, roads, drains etc. Collecting all plan, elevation and cross sectional drawings of  the  factory buildings indicating all relevant details like loads, equipment disposition and their capacity, provision for natural lighting, ventilation and means of escape in case of fire, aisles and passageways. Obtaining information relating to the design, construction, maintenance philosophy adopted and dimensions of each and every building(e.g length, width, height, no of bays, no of floors, provision of cranes, rail levels etc).

Assessing the structural adequacy of the building by checking the structural plans and design calculations. Physical verification of the structures regarding compliance to the use of design members and adoption of construction philosophy. Checking for addition/ alterations (if any). Verifying tests reports of the materials used and structural elements of the building. Verifying/ review NDT reports on parts of the building if necessary. Reviewing periodic maintenance schedule. Reviewing safety provisions being adopted.

Total job can be carried out in following phases : A) Scrutiny of Data & Design received from owner of the Factory B) Visual Inspection & verification at Factory Premises C) Analysis of data and Records D) Report preparation

A) Following can be verified at Engineering Office Structural plans and details : Reference to structural layout plans approved by Chief Inspector Description of foundation system. Description of structural system (including storey height, No of floors etc). Provision of adequate rest room, first aid and fire fighting facility at every floor level. Provision of adequate Stair & Lift(if required) for emergency evacuation.

2. Presence of critical structures & structures without redundancies : Transfer girders, small/ narrow/ slender columns , cantilever structures, long span structures, cable structures etc. 3. Compliance to different Code provisions in Design : Consideration of all possible loads Analysis for Wind and Seismic loads Proper Load combinations Provision of bracing system/ alternate arrangement to transfer horizontal loads. Guidelines on Material (Test certificates, Use of steel produced from Integrated Steel Plants, i.e to safeguard from use of re- rolled steel which may be pre-stressed) Consideration of dynamic factors as applicable

Adherence to strength & serviceability criteria Check of Vibration limits if the structure is housing any rotator equipments. 4. Adequacy & stability of structure with regards to operation of Cranes: Proper alignment of Rail. Provision of platform & safety handrail on both sides in longitudinal direction. 5. Exposure to aggressive environment: Check whether minimum thickness criteria is adopted or not. Consideration of Corrosion allowance in the design Use of Appropriate painting system

B) Physical verification at Factory Site 1. Loading: Compatibility of existing usage with the design loading Deviation from intended use or supporting higher design imposed load. Signs of overloading 2. Addition and Alteration works (A&A): Adherence to the approved general arrangement of the structure & design member sizes in actual construction. Adherence to the material quality & weld sizes during construction

3. Signs of structural defects and deterioration: Building tilt/ settlement Structural deformation Major structural defects Minor structural defects Non-structural defects Quality of material used Quality of workmanship

4. Maintenance Protocols Periodic inspection by in-house structural engineer w.r.t cleaning of floors, roof etc Preventive maintenance & periodic maintenance of all moving parts, machines etc Checking of crane rails for abrasion and excessive wear & tear Periodic painting Review of Internal reports by higher authorities and maintaining action taken reports. 5. Safety Protocols: Safety provisions – gas safety norms Proper approach & Maintenance platforms for cut-off valves etc.

Form of Certificate of Stability 1.  Name of the factory                              : ................................................... 2.  Village, town and district in which the factory  is situated :   ............................... 3.  Full postal address of the factory   : ..................................................... 4.  Name of the occupier of the factory      : ...................................................... 5. Nature of manufacturing process to be carried on in the factory:......................... 6.  Number of floors on which workers will be employed: ........................................ I certify that I have inspected the building/buildings the  plans of which have been approved by the Chief Inspector in his letter No................  dated ......... and examined the various parts including  the foundations with special  reference  to  the  machine,  plant  etc.,  that   have been installed.   I am  of  the opinion   that   the building/buildings which has/have been constructed/ reconstructed/extended/ taken into use  is/are in accordance with the plans approved by the Chief Inspector in his letter  mentioned above, that it/they/are structurally  sound  and   that   its/their stability will not be endangered by its/their use as  factory/part of factory  for  the manufacture of .......... for which the machinery,  plant,  etc. installed are intended.  Signature:...................................... Qualifications ................................ Address......................................   Date.............................................  If employed by a company or association, name and address of the company or association] 

Suggestion: Directorate of Factories and Boilers must have adequate representation in policy/ guidelines formulation in Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS)