Design Assumptions and Loading Limitations:

The limits given in this guidance on the positioning and amounts of concrete blocks, chipboard or plasterboard sheets must be adhered to. No provision is made for construction materials to be placed on the floor in their original (as delivered) packaging or pallets

General Good Practice:

Use timber boards, pallets or ’skids’ to keep moisture sensitive materials off the deck to allow for ventilation and be clear of localised ponding.

Principal Contractors Responsibilities:

Using an un-propped i-joist floor as part of a Staircraft working platform still requires Health and Safety planning. 

The Principal Contractor should always plan the use of the floor with due consideration to the following

• Provision for safe access to the floor area – including personnel working on the floor, and materials placed onto the floor by cranes or mechanical handlers.
• Protection for operatives working on the floor.
• Prevention of items falling from the floor onto personnel working below.
• Provision for handrails or guardrails to protect operatives from falling.

Planned use of the floor during the construction phase should be referenced in method statements and risk assessments.

The use and limitation of the floor should be communicated to all relevant personnel involved during the construction phase. This may take form of clear signage and/or referenced during the site induction process.

Floor Condition Checklist

• Check all decking joist support components are not damaged in such a manner that this would compromise the structural integrity of the floor. If in doubt contact Staircraft.
• Check the moisture content of joist flanges and glulam beams does not exceed 20% during prolonged periods of inclement weather. Site shut down over the Christmas period may present a risk if the floor is left loaded out and exposed to the weather.
• Check joists and beams built into masonry walls have sufficient bearing length.
• Check the correct joist hanger type is installed, and fully nailed as per manufacturer’s instructions. Gaps and joist positioning should be within stated tolerances.
• Check that I-clips and/or filler blocks are present in multi-ply i-joists and positioned correctly– as per the floor layout plan.
• Check that nails, screws and bolts fixing multiply glulam beams are present and positioned correctly in multi-ply glulam beams – as per the floor layout plan.
• Check the floor decking is adequately protected from scuffs and spillages, fixed correctly, and with board joints tight and sealed.
• Check no voids are present in or around the floor perimeter, which would allow objects to accidentally fall onto persons below.
• Check that the floor deck is kept clean enough to be prevent operatives from slipping on muddy, wet floors or spilled liquids.