February 2020
In this Issue
-Cleaning Up from Winter Storms, Flooding
-Birch Annual Inspection & Maintenance Programs
-ANSI Standards Coming March 2020
-Will WA State Implement Road-Usage Charge?
-Birch 2020 Calendar
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Call Any Birch Store 24-7 for Emergency Services -- Facilities WA & AK Hours: Mon – Fri 7a – 4:30p
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Impacting all Aerial Equipment Operators, Renters & Owners
New ANSI Standards
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New ANSI & CSA standards come into play next week, March 1, 2020 and impact all operators, supervisors and owners who rent, operate and/or own AWPs -- now called Mobile Elevated Work platforms (MEWPs) -- including booms, scissor lifts and under-bridge inspection machines. ANSI standards haven't been updated since 2006 and CSA standards go back further, making ANSI/CSA standards compliance the next "big thing" to impact the manufacturing and use of aerial equipment since Tier 4 emissions compliance went into effect..
While there's been multiple revisions and appeals, it appears the controversial new standards -- designed to enhance safety -- shift North American equipment standards closer to international standards and put responsibility on the equipment user/owner regardless of whether you are a large or small operation who rents and/or owns MEWPs by March 1, 2020.
New Operator Requirements
New standard state that Operators have updated training to familiarize themselves with any MEWP they are not familiar with including:
- Reading the operator manual
- Doing a walk-around inspection
- Familiarizing themselves with the controls
- Understanding any limitations of the equipment
Operators are also now responsible for making sure every Occupant on an aerial platform knows how to work safely on the MEWP. Occupants must receive training on fall protection systems and what to do if an Operator can no longer operate the lift. There also needs to be someone on the ground who can act as the Operator and return elevated workers to the ground in the event of an unexpected malfunction or an emergency.
Training for Maintenance and Repair Personnel also Required
Maintenance personnel must conduct annual inspections in addition to evaluating any MEWP put into use after being out of service for three months or more. Maintenance personnel must also be trained on any new features load such as the load limit alarm, tilt sensor and wind speed sensor.
US manufacturers of MEWPs have been required to change equipment design
to reflect the new standards including
- A gated entrance to the MEWP
- reduced lift and load speeds on some models
- Platform Load Sense
- dynamic Terrain Sensing
- Indoor-Only Machines
- Increased minimum height for equipment platform railings from 39 to 43.5 inches.
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Birch Equipment Provides Manufacture-designed ANSI training to meet the ANSI, OSHA and CSA requirements:
The training is applicable to operators of most aerial or telehandler brands, makes and models.
- General training may be completed anytime, online & at your own pace. The online training takes an average of 2-3 hours to complete.
- The online training is then followed by hands-on training with instruction & experience operating MEWPs. This takes about 2 -3 hours depending on the number of people taking the class.
- Those completing training receive a certification card or certificate of completion that is good for three years per OSHA.
- As an owner, renter and dealer/distributor of aerial equipment, Birch Equipment provides Operator training. If your crews need to come into compliance with the new standards. Click HERE to sign up today or call any Birch facility.
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Key Changes to Know about New ANSI Standards
- Equipment Terminology
- Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs) now Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPS)
- MEWPs are grouped based on equipment tipping line - Group A does not allow the main platform to extend beyond the tipping line; Group B allows platform to extend beyond the tipping line
- MEWPs have three (3) types based on ability to travel
- Type 1 – Traveling is allowed only with the MEWP in its stowed position
- Type 2 – Traveling with the work platform in the elevated position is controlled from a point on the chassis
- Type 3 – Traveling with the work platform in the elevated travel position is controlled from a point on the work platform
- Equipment Design Standards
- Platform Load Sense (aka Overload System or Load Sense System) — All MEWPs will be required to continuously check the weight in the platform and disable certain functions if the load is above the platform load limit.
- Dynamic Terrain Sensing — Drive and certain boom functions must be disabled when out of their slope limit and functions restricted only to those that safely return the machine to terrain that is within limits.
- Indoor-only Machines — Allows for the development of smaller, lighter-weight MEWPs bearing an “indoor only” rating because these MEWPs cannot be used in conditions where they might be subjected to any wind.
- Safe Use and Planning - user must develop a Safe Use Planning Program which needs to include
- Risk Assessment Planning - Risks associated with the task specific to MEWP operations shall be identified. These might be associated with the location where the work is to be carried out, the nature of the MEWP or the personnel, materials and equipment to be carried.
- Access, prep and maintenance of the site to ensure the support surface is adequate for the MEWP
- Ensuring only trained and authorized personnel is allowed to operate and/or accupy the MEWPs
- Training (Operators, Supervisors & Occupants) - Must be trained & understand all new standards by March 1, 2020.
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Hey Sounders Fans - Want to Win?
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2 Tickets in the Elite Seats in the Sounders Press Club
Sounders v Columbus Sat., 3/7 at 7pm
Premium Suite Seating
All-inclusive high end meal catering with beer, wine, spirits and a private bartender.
VIP entrance 90 minutes prior to kick-off.
Sit among the celebrities and enjoy what is sure to be a great game.
by 2pm on March 3rd for a chance to win
Winner announced March 3rd on Facebook
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Birch Annual Maintenance & Inspection Program Increases
Time on Tool
and Jobsite Safety
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Birch Equipment's maintenance crews are deep into annual inspections on all major fleet as part of Birch's comprehensive preventive maintenance program -- putting their expertise, time and resources into maintaining safe and operational equipment for job sites.
At minimum, its recommended that all boom and scissors used on job sites -- whether provided by a rental company or contractor-owned -- receive annual inspections.
Birch follows inspection requirements & recommendations from manufacturers and adds its own internal checklist for safety and operational efficiencies.
Inspections can reveal a range of safety issues.
More often, concerns range from the simplest items like worn, destroyed or missing safety and warning decals to more serious issues like safety features that have been bypassed.
Some of the most common include unplugging back up alarms or disabling limit switches designed to restrict equipment movement or weight limits. Operators who disable these items for convenience create a safety hazard on their job sites. Other important issues often found during annual inspection include oil leaks and worn hydraulic hoses that could burst at any time and broken mirrors and seat belts.
Birch completes annual inspections on customer gear.
Birch maintains annual inspection programs for many customers. Submit a maintenance request below or contact any Birch Store and Birch Staff can get you in contact with our Birch Maintenance Managers.
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Birch's annual inspections are the most thorough, top to bottom review of gear for catching issues before they become a safety or mechanical problem. This is done in addition to regular maintenance throughout the year and an extensive check-in procedure each time a piece of gear is returned from a job site.
Annual inspections add a substantial volume of work to Birch shop operations. On a regular day, Birch teams turn up to 120-pieces a day company-wide. And with Birch's growing fleet, so too has the number of inspections - from 200 pieces of gear to 400 between November and March. The added gear and complexity of equipment factors into how efficiently gear is turned, and as Birch continues adding fleet that incorporate new technology and added safety and environmental features like ANSI standards, there will be more items to inspect.
Keeping track of annual inspections
Most manufacturers put decals on equipment to use to track annuals. Birch updates these decals with the latest inspection date and includes notes in its rental system for reference. The same is done for customer gear that Birch services, and Birch's team notifies customers when it appears that an annual has not been completed.
Submit an online maintenance request
HERE or call 1.866.72.BIRCH to schedule.
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Customer Solutions: Birch's Full Service, 24-7 Maintenance & Repair Help Customer Jobs Move Ahead
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Call any Birch store or click
HERE
to make an online maintenance request for maintenance on any Birch or customer gear.
-- Planned or unplanned maintenance - regular to annual programs
-- 24-7 with fully-stocked service trucks
-- Expert field technicians
-- Urban to remote
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Birch Crews Rock On-Call Response During Recent Storms/Flooding
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Whether delivering an excavator and light towers to help WA State DOT break up the major log jam at the Hwy 2 Trestle in Everett or bringing truckloads of dehumidifiers to customers mopping up after severe flooding in Whatcom County, Birch crews rocked our 24-7 emergency services and is ready for the next storm with loads of Pump, Dehumidifiers & Dryers in stock.
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Sump Pumps - Construction site, excavations, vaults, well casings and general de-watering.
- Good for smaller enclosed area, like basements, prone to collecting excess water
- For use in limited access areas where other pumps won't fit
- Compact, light-weight, easy to carry & handle
- Float switches to protect motors
- Birch's Koshin-brand 3" gas pump has handle and wheels, making it easier to move, re-position on job site
- OK to leave running unattended without fear of damage to motor if running dry
Trash Pumps - For high volume water removal such as ponds, trenches, residential and commercial flooding.
- Takes up to half the diameter of the intake/output in solids.
- Pump output – 2750 gpm
- Lift suction – 28 ft.
- Maximum diameter of solids – 3.00”
- Maximum Efficiency (BEP Percent) – 80%
- BEP Flow – 1900 gpm
Birch stocks discharge hoses ranging from 2" to 6" diameter. Find nozzles, adapters and backflow preventers in stock at any Birch facility.
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Position dehumidifiers toward center of room - no two facing another so they dry separate areas
For every dehumidifier, 4 - 5 dryers around a room are recommended
To dry lower parts of walls, point outlets of each dryer in the same direction at a 15 to 45-degree angle depending on the dryer.
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- Removes up to 15 gallons a day.
- Rugged, durable and portable
- Super convenient size.
- Automatic Pump-out System - 40 hose.
- Hot-gas bypass for fast defrost.
- Rugged rotomolded housing – stackable.
- Electronic touch-pad controls.
- Built-in duct attachment ring.
- Automatic restart.
- Max water removal of 235 pints
- 325 CFM (automatic variable speed for optimized performance)
- Advanced Crossflow Technology maximizes efficiency even in low grain environments. Ensures best performance across range
- Self-monitoring system: built-in sensors monitor performance for automatic fan speed adjustments
- Sealed large-capacity pump basin: more than enough to handle the water from an unintentional defrost that might occur after a power outage or other unexpected shut-down
- Ergonomic design: handle is 2 inches taller for easier use on stairs; unit folds down for storage and includes integrated cord and hose storage
- Versatile application: standard 12-inch ductable outlet
- Legendary rotomolded housing: practically indestructible, resists dents and dings, stackable for storage, and saves room in warehouse
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Ace Turbo Dryer
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This two-speed, low amp power dryer offers efficiency and versatility. The Ace Turbo Dryer from Dri-Eaz attacks water damage from every angle. With seven different operating positions to choose from, the Ace locks on target no matter what the job!
- Very low amp draw
- Six position versatility for handling a wide range of applications
- Dry structures fast with 1,800 actual CFM
- Turn or tilt on non-skid rubber feet to switch operating positions
- Compact design that's stackable for operation and storage
- Ideal for structural drying, carpet cleaning, ventilation, and more!
Sahara Pro X3 Turbo Dryer
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Powerful 2700 CFM airflow exactly where you need it -- at floor level, up walls, or up stairways. Features three speed settings, low amp draw, built-in breaker-protected outlets and a rugged rotomolded housing. Daisy chain up to three units with the built-in GFCI-protected outlets.
- 3-speed settings 3, 3.5 and 4 Amps
- Daisy-chain capability with built-in power outlet and circuit breaker
- Underside drying vent for drying under the airmover
- Easy-grip handle
- Stackable for storage
- Quick disassembly for easy cleaning
- Lower Amp draw
- 25 ft. cord length
- 3-operating positions 0°, 45° and 90°
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Birch owns thousands of pieces of top-quality construction equipment and tools to rent and buy, new or used. Birch's on-line catalog makes it easy to find the right gear. Click on the link below for a short tutorial, then go to
www.birchequipment.com to get started.
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Washington State Transportation Commission Report Sends Road-Use Charge Analysis to Lawmakers
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The state is considering charging motorists for how far they drive because the state’s 49.4 cents per gallon gas tax — which is used to fund roads and bridges — is being eroded by increasingly more fuel-efficient cars and more electric vehicles.
- Under all three options being considered, a pay-per-mile tax—which the state calls a road usage charge—would be introduced within five years for plug-in electric vehicles, hybrids, and state government vehicles.
- Vehicles that get high miles per gallon would be added within five to 10 years. A high-mileage vehicle hasn't been defined.
- Beyond 10 years, all new vehicles would be added, starting with model years 2030.
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Click
this link for research and opinion on the pros and cons of road use taxes including the following:
Pros - Fairness - charging all residents equally based on how many miles they drive
Cons - Privacy; Costs of implementation and data-collecting; Unfair impact on certain groups of drivers
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2020 Birch Calendars are here!
Get yours before they're all gone.
Now accepting pictures of Birch gear on customer jobsites for the 2021 calendar, future Fleet Updates and social sites. Send hi-res photos to community@birchequipment.com including project and company name.
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Locations in Anacortes, Bellingham, Everett, Mount Vernon and Sitka, AK.
Commercial Contractors, Industrial & Manufacturing, Government, Specialty Marine, Homeowners
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