URGENT NOTICE
Company Statement
Brace Testing Procedures and Working Loads
Jumbo Brace
11 November 2011
Shisham Stanley Group (Shisham Products) has manufactured and improved its pull push braces in order to meet every challenge faced in the concrete and pre cast industry. Since 1997 Shisham Products has taken pride in its ability to manufacture braces to cater for the demands of the industry and to meet and exceed the expectations of its customers.
Testing scenario regarding the Jumbo brace.
Shisham Products first engaged A.Noble & Sons in 1996 to independently test its braces to insure compliance with the relevant standard. The report indicated that Shisham's brace (Jumbo) reached a load of 40kN. Thus giving us a safe working load of 20kN and a tension test of 60kN. Thus giving it a SWL in tension of 30kN.
Tension Test No: NM6831 dated 2/1/1997.
Compression Test No: NM6829 dated 2/1/1997
Since then, Shisham Products built its own test rig to replicate the test required by the Australian Standard and as undertaken by A.Noble & Sons. Shisham undertakes frequent safety testing of its braces. Intial testing consistently shows that its Jumbo brace can withstand well in excess of 40kN in compression at 11.5m extension, without failure. This gave it a safe working load of at over 20kN at 11.5m, however Shisham Products capped the limit at 20kN.
Shisham has recently reviewed its testing procedures and the requirements under the Australian Standards (AS 3850. 2003). The standard does not specify the method of testing other than requiring the brace feet to be angled and fixed, and to otherwise simulate field use.
As part of its ongoing commitment to quality and safety, Shisham Products recently engaged A Noble & Sons (3/11/2011) to re test its Jumbo brace. A Noble & Sons have changed a part of its testing procedure. The brace is still tested flat but a support under the middle has been replaced by a sling which is removed part away through the test. This test provides a lower rating as the brace is forced to support its entire weight. As the 2 test configurations provide different results, Shisham Products have reconsidered both tests. Shisham Products considers that neither test method really simulates field use.
On further consideration, Shisham considers neither test to be best practice, so Shisham Products is building another test rig to enable it to test the braces in the actual 60 degree configuration in which they are used.
What Shisham Products are doing
Customer safety has always been Shisham Products key priority. In over 20 years Shisham has not been aware of any accidents or injuries arising by the use of these braces. This evidence supports Shishams test procedures and ratings. However since Shishams takes its responsibility to its customers very seriously, we have decided to:
This applies to Jumbo braces 2003 - 2011 only
(Jumbo props pre 2003 should be returned to the manufacturer for recertification)
1. Re-rate its Jumbo brace to 8kN at 11.5m.
2. Update our website to represent the new loads for the Jumbo brace without knee brace by 11/11/2011.
3. Identify clients currently using the Shisham Jumbo brace and,
- Contact these clients to determine lengths they are utilising Jumbo brace at.
- Determine if at full extension, is the load capacity under 8kN?
- If over 8kN, advise client that Shisham Knee Brace needs to be utilised.
4. Re-issue customer with new load rating tags for any Jumbo braces manufactured between 2003 - 2011 or, have the customer send the braces back to have the new load rating placed on.
5. Amend paper advertising brochures/literature to reflect the new load ratings.
6. Any Jumbo braces manufactured before 2003 are recommended to be inspected by the manufacturer to obtain new load rating tags.
Manufacturer gives a 7 year warranty on workmanship only.
If you have any questions or the re-rating causes you any pratical issues, please do not hesitate to contact us.
NEW PROP TESTING RIG, TESTING BRACES IN THEIR TRUE POSITION :
Regards
Phillip Messina
| File | Description | File size |
|---|---|---|
 Props2_1024x768.jpg | 114 Kb |