• The site manager or contractor will be responsible for the handling of easi-joists® from the time of unloading the delivery.
  • Avoid dropping, twisting or subjecting easi-joists® to heavy impact.
  • Always lift easi-joists® in the upright position to prevent lateral distortion.
  • Do not use chains or steel cable for lifting joists.
  • Do use a fabric sling for lifting joists and ensure even weight distribution.

Use a fabric sling when lifting joists

  • Storage time of easi-joists® prior to installation should be kept to a minimum.
  • easi-joists® should be left in bundles and remain in packaging until use.
  • During such time, joists should be kept dry, and laid horizontally in an upright position, clear from the ground. Bearers should be used underneath web or column joints to prevent distortion.
  • Joists are unstable until fully braced or boarded. Do not walk or store materials on an unrestrained floor area.
  • Sheet materials stacked on the easi-joist® floor should not exceed 250mm in height or 250kg/m2 (150kg per joist). The stack must not extend more than 1500mm from the edge of the floor with its longest span perpendicular to the joists.

Stacking materials on easi-joist

  • Use protective gloves when manually handling easi-joists®.
  • Refer to plans for joist weights, remembering to account for multiply girders.
  • Observe health and safety regulations as set out by CDM2007.
  • Study layout drawings and plan which section will be erected first, starting from which end. Identify girder joists and stair trimmer which will need to be installed first to provide support for others.
  • Check support conditions for all joists ensuring all internal supporting walls are present and that all supporting masonry is cured.
  • Identify joists by reference number and place them next to required areas. (joists should not be moved from dry storage until immediately before erection)
  • All joist are to be installed truly vertical, parallel and top side up.
  • Refer to layout plans or profiles for the correct orientation of the joist.
  • Noggins, restraint straps, decking and strongbacks should be properly installed to the specification of the manufacturer or designer.
  • Where masonry hangers are used, ensure at least three courses of blockwork or equivalent have been laid and the mortar cured before the floor is used.
  • Spacing and loading of easi-joists® must not exceed that stated in the design.
  • Ensure all joists are fully bearing on their supports, packing gaps if necessary.
  • Check adjacent joists are level with each other and the ends of the joists form a straight line.
  • Un-braced joists may be unstable.
  • Do not allow anyone to walk on un-braced joists.
  • Do not store building materials on un-braced joists.
  • Open web joists should be erected straight and vertical with a maximum horizontal deviation of 10mm and a maximum vertical deviation of 2mm.
  • Temporary bracing comprises diagonal longitudinal binders and permanent strongbacks,
  • All longitudinal binders, diagonal braces, strongbacks and hangers, should be completely installed and fully nailed as detailed.
  • Lateral strength should be provided by a diagonally braced system across at least 3 joists (see diagram on page 32 of easi-joist technical manual). Additional braced and blocked systems should be provided at 12m spacing in long joist runs.
  • Construction materials may only be stored on joists when all bracing is in place. The material should be spread over at least 4 joists and not more than 1500mm from a joist support. Floor/ceiling boards may be stacked up to 250mm high (150kg per joist at 600mm centres, 100kg per joist at 400mm centres) on braced floors.
  • Flooring should be fully fixed to the joists before additional loads are placed on the floor.
  • Temporary bracing may be progressively removed as decking is fixed.

Temporary erection bracing of easi-joist floor system