sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring tent for ladders in a hospital

they are requirring on on a wire job i am doing at a hospital, it needs to cover from the ceiling to the floor. where can i find one?

Check your local HVAC wholesale house --- these are used to remove the "A" from the above ceiling areas that are plenum rated. They use a HEPA filter vacuum, etc., during this process.

Or check for you local OSHA/EPA outfit -- they'll know where to get the tent or who does the removal --- they have to have the tent.

Yeah, what Ken said. BTW Ken, what does all that mean anyway?

Here's a link that may help you Martin. They say out of production on the site but they may have something else.
https://www.fostermanf.com/outside_plant_division_tents.html

Bobby, I'll let you know after the asbestos in my lungs clear out ----


That is a pretty picture of a H tent for a splicers' platform. They made a round top version (C?) for use with ladders. Great for OSP.

Okay, the "tent" Martin is looking for is usually square (sometimes round depending on manufacturer), has extend-able poles that telescope between the floor and ceiling, has a heavy poly vinyl cover with slide-zip closures and a attachment point for the vacuum. You set your ladder up, drop this over it, extend the poles, Velcro tie the "tent" to the poles, make sure the top flap is sealed to the ceiling, have your helper turn on the vacuum, now open the ceiling. If you were removing asbestos you would be in a Bunnie suit, breather, goggles with face mask, gloves, booties, and would need to half shower before leaving this "tent". Check EPA for confined entry and hazardous material handling.

Martin, contact an asbestos removal company --- let them do the "tent" work, add it to the bill.

My $1.50 (inflation, you know).

I know what your talking about Martin, but don't know the proper name for them. We had to use them on a hospital job we did some time ago. Believe me they are a real pain in the a$$.

Here is a web site that talks about the ICRA code or Infection Control Risk Assessment.

Hope this helps,

Hope you padded your hours; unless, of course, this is t&m job.

I guess I've been lucky all these years 'cause I've never needed anything like that.

And from the way you guys describe it I think I'll just pass on any future jobs that require this stuff if one ever comes along.

Ken, there was supposed to be a smiley face after the but it didn't show up for some reason. Just didn't want ya to think I was being a smart a$$.


Edit: Now it's there. What's going on with that?

I figured that, Bobby.

Smart a$$ is better than no --------

But, anyway, you are correct --- the tent, confined entry, infection control, all the fun things are a PIA but can be a money maker. Some require certification, thereby creating a new market.

When I worked in the old NASA buildings at EAFB, CA, anytime we opened the ceiling it was OT on a weekend because they had to shut down the HVAC, blockade the area, do the mini-shower, the whole mess. It would take at least three guys at each opening with all the tent and support.

We were all sent to certification class. Another piece of paper in the drawer. Even had to go to forklift class so we could move the dirty water barrel from the showers to the confinement area.

Anyway, have a smiley weekend.

Thanks Ken.
I have been thinking about a job we are in the middle of at a local hospital and the problems we would have if they required tents.

We have ran coax cables to every exam room as well as the trauma rooms in the emergency department.

It is a big ordeal to run cable and be ready to get your ladder and the cable out of the way in seconds so they can get a patient where ever they need to be in a hurry as I'm sure many of you know.
I just don't see how it could be done with tents because that would block the halls I would think.

Anyway, I have to say for the record every one of the staff members and Doctors have been patient with us even though we have made their job very difficult and have been basically a pia. Most of the time they apologize for the times we have to clear the path for them as fast as we can.

Even a few of the patients have said "Thanks guys" when they roll them by on a gurney.

But we also keep an eye on how busy they are getting and we know when to put the ceiling tiles back in and get out of the area for a few hours without being told by the staff. The Director told me personally that is greatly appreciated because they hate to be rude but they will if they need to for the patient's sake. And I know they will too because an electrical contractor told me the other day that he was told "Close the ceiling and leave NOW" by the staff. The sad part of it is that he said it had happened 4 times already.
I guess some people never learn.

Understood, Bobby. A company I was a project manager/engineer for did a hospital in Philly, the one group of night guys had to be trained to enter blood/infectious areas. They were nicknamed "the Lab Rats". We could only get in on off hours after they had cleaned the op rooms. This was like midnight Saturday night through four a.m. Sunday morning. Other nights we could work in the labs (they were doing HIV testing / cure experiments). Yes, working in a hospital for 18 months creates some unique opportunities.

Have a good weekend.