Acrow Prop Safe Installation Guide
Acrow Props are an extremely versatile product that can be found on many construction sites. They are commonly used on construction sites to provide a quick and easy method of providing temporary formwork support for reinforced concrete floors and beams. Acrow braces are equally useful as ridge banks to support formwork for columns, walls and stairs. They are invaluable for repair work, demolition or for replacing permanent support, supporting sheds, partitions and the like while the bricks or concrete hardens.
Acrow struts consist of two round steel tubes, an inner tube with a top plate that slides up and down freely inside an outer tube that is attached to the base plate. The inner tube has holes along its length so you can quickly extend the inner tube to just below the desired height and insert a steel pin to lock that length. To extend the strut to the correct height, the top of the outer tube is threaded and a collar, which is similar to a bolt nut, engages and supports the steel pin. So by turning the collar and moving it up, it expands the inner support. This allows you to achieve the exact height you need.
The Acrow Prop Safe Installation Guide gives you a checklist of what to check before you even begin, and then shows you what you need to check to ensure the safe installation of your Acrow Props. Once installed there is a list of items that must be checked regularly to ensure the continued safe operation of your acrow prop installation and then concludes with a checklist for their safe removal.
Pre-installation checklist
- Start by planning the work. Make sure you have the correct number and sizes of struts. Inspect the site and, if necessary, mark the locations of the supports.
- Have you correctly selected the correct size props for the job? Do you have enough to support the weight? Never exceed the safe working load (SWL) for your particular size of prop. Refer to the manufacturer’s load tables. If you are unsure, consult your engineer or other responsible person who will estimate the weight of the overhead structure to be supported and determine the correct size and quantity.
- It is the user’s responsibility to check the props each time before starting work. When inspecting struts, items to check include:-
- Check that the inner and outer tubes are straight and slide easily.
- Check that the cuff rotates freely around the thread and that the protector is not damaged or blocked.
- Check for pin damage. If the pin is attached with a chain, make sure it is still attached. If it is fitted with a wrap-around pin, then it does not need to be chained. Use only the original pin, do not use any other pin.
- Do not attempt to repair a damaged support. If the support is defective, it must be immediately marked and isolated and must not be used.
Installation checklist
- Warning braces that are designed for use in compression CANNOT be used in tension.
- Always wear appropriate safety equipment when using this equipment.
- Make sure the work area is cordoned off to prevent public access, only important people should work in the area.
- Make sure the props are installed by qualified people who have the necessary knowledge and experience to do the job safely.
- It is important that the strut is installed vertically to ensure that it can withstand the specified load. Struts should never be used more than 1.5 degrees from vertical as this can significantly reduce their capacity. This is about 50 mm (2 in) of true vertical for every 1.8 m (6 ft) of length.
- Make sure the base plate and top plate of your support are stepping directly onto the surface. Also make sure that the floor surface and the roof surface are strong enough to support the weight that will be placed on them.
- Where struts rest on a flexible surface such as a gravel surface, each strut shall rest on a wooden sole or equivalent. The wooden ironing board should be at least 225 mm (9 inches) wide and 38 mm (1.5 inches) thick. It must be long enough to project at least 300 mm (1 ft) from either side of the strut base plate. An ironing plate can also be used over the head plate to distribute the load if necessary. If you are unsure or have any doubts, please consult your engineer or other competent person.
- Acrow struts come in 5 different sizes, so don’t use struts that are too short by making up the gap with lumber. Always use the correct length Acrow brace.
Post-installation checklist
- Buttresses left to support the curing slab can loosen over time. As the plate hardens it naturally shrinks which can cause the strut to loosen so it is recommended that they are checked by a competent person and re-tightened regularly.
- At a minimum, all supports should be checked at least once a week.
- Make sure the area is secure from the public if props are to be left unattended.
- Do not string or tie anything to the supports.
Checklist for removing supports
- Start by planning the work.
- Always wear appropriate safety equipment when using this equipment.
- Make sure the work area is cordoned off to prevent public access, only important people should work in the area.
- Make sure the props are removed by qualified people who have the necessary knowledge and experience to do the job safely
- Do not remove or adjust struts until you are sure it is safe to do so.
- Always return equipment to the rental company in a clean condition.
Always seek professional advice before undertaking any bracing/strengthening projects. A botched prop job can be catastrophic, life-threatening, and an extremely expensive repair exercise.
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