There are several factors you should take into consideration before beginning the installation process of your conveyor system. To help ensure that your project operates smoothly, we have outlined the prerequisite information typically requested before a system installation. Careful consideration should be taken to the following areas before beginning installation:
- Site Conditions
- Loading/Unloading Requirements
- Personnel Criteria
Site Conditions
One of the first decisions made during an installation of a conveyor system is determining what type of conveyor should be installed. The type of conveyor affects the concerns involved with ceilings and flooring, weight limits on rafters, and whether installing a ceiling-mounted or floor-mounted system would be more beneficial for the overall application.
Other site conditions to be aware of before mapping out installation steps include the presence of product or cargo elevators for ease of access, as well as obtaining permits from the appropriate city officials if applicable. Some facilities require a hot work permit if welding or grinding is expected in the facility and may even restrict this type of work to certain areas of the workspace. Other permits that might be necessary for the installation include ordinances or ceiling support regulations associated with the area of installation.
Loading/Unloading Requirements
Another important area to consider deals with the delivery process associated with the loading or unloading of the conveyor system pre-installation. Some equipment that is shipped to the facility may not be suitable for unloading on a typical dock and may require offloading on the side of the truck rather than from the end. In some cases, facilities do not have ramps or loading docks and access for unloading is only possible from the back of the truck.
When it comes to equipment, you are responsible for letting the installation team know what equipment is useable and what is not. The installation team should know whether or not they need to bring their own equipment, as well as what kind. If there is a preference between electric and non-electric forklifts, this should be noted prior to the beginning of the project.
Personnel Criteria
The final area of consideration necessary for a seamless conveyor installation involves personnel and insurance facets. Other than evaluating the load requirements, it’s important to address the following personnel factors.
From start to finish, a key point of contact for the installer and customer must be designated for effective communication purposes. It is also important to determine employees that are available for startup training once the system is installed and ready to commission. Finally, it is necessary to assign an employee the responsibility of turning the machine on and off, maintaining proper functionality, and keeping up with the maintenance needs of the system.
Insurance documents are another important factor to consider before installation. Deciding whether your company requires workers’ compensation classification, a history of injury claims, or other documents of insurability are all considerations to focus on before taking the project to the installation phase.
By keeping these preparation points at the forefront of your planning, you will be able to prevent major roadblocks and ensure overall success when installing your conveyor system.
What other elements do you consider when preparing for a conveyor system installation project? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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