Structural Stability

Structural stability must be maintained at all times during erection procedures. If this work is being done on a bridge or overpass, procedures may need to comply with standards set forth by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). These standards can be found in 23 CFR 625.4. Multistory structures have additional requirements in order to remain stable, as follows:

• Permanent floors must be installed during the erection process.
• There should never be more than eight stories between the highest permanent floor and the current erection floor, unless it is specifically designed to be stable this way.
• There should never be more than four floors or 48 feet, whichever is less, of unfinished bolting or welding above the lowest permanent floor.
• Safety nets or a fully planked or decked floor must be installed within two floors or 30 feet directly below where the work being performed, whichever distance is less.

To learn more about Construction Steel Erection visit our Construction Steel Erection Safety Online Training web page.