Signal-Rite Compensator System Offers Safe Means for Flying Deck Forms

Signal-Rite LLC, San Leandro, Calif., has developed a new compensator system for flying deck forms used in vertical high rise and other types of construction. Signal-Rite's system offers improvements in operating efficiency, cost, and safety over conventional methods of handling forms.

An original creation, the Signal-Rite compensator system incorporates the use of a specially designed spreader bar and electrical components to eliminate fall exposure for employees who previously were required to walk out onto the unstable platform as it was being suspended in place from a mobile or tower crane. “It's a dangerous practice to being with,” said Jeff York, president of Signal-Rite. “This allows it to be done a little safer.”

The custom spreader bar also keeps the hoist and rigging gear separated and prevents cords from being tangled in rigging. A wireless radio remote control is used to increase productivity and prevent wasted time managing hard-wired remotes.

Along with these innovations, the Signal-Rite compensator system changes the pick point from the rear of the table to the front, reducing weight on the hoist. This change substantially reduces the load on the hoist, which results in fewer breakdowns and eliminates the need for the hoist to work at extreme angles. With the Signal-Rite compensator system, longer and heavier tables can be managed with a smaller hoist and tables can be moved much more efficiently and safely.

The compensator spreader bar is designed to work with a Harrington Hoist in order to keep all the rigging separate and also reduce time spent setting up the compensator every time the hoist is needed. The Signal-Rite spreader bar can be designed to meet all capacity needs in conjunction with the hoist, and each spreader bar is built to ASME B30.20 standards and load tested to 125 percent of its capacity. All necessary documentation is included for customer records, and product liability insurance is provided for all fabricated bars and attachments.

According to York, contractors in California, including Atlas Construction, Webcor Builders, Patent Systems, William P. Young, and Conco Inc., as well as others in Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota, and Canada, have been using the Signal-Rite compensator system to fly forms.

“It's a more efficient way of different way of doing it, which enhances productivity and maximizes safety,” York said. “Companies have been buying and using these systems for more than a year without any breakdowns.” He added that in some instances, the cycle time has been reduced from a six day cycle to three days.

"From a dollars and cents standpoint, the overall cost of the compensator system is insignificant,” York said. The addition of a non-reversing relay prevents the unit from being hooked up with phasing crossed, which has eliminated costly damage to the hoist. Compared to methods used in the past, he said, crane owners and operators can now concentrate on increased productivity, safety, and protecting company profits because setting up the compensator system is user-friendly.

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