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Two
Potential
Safety
Issues

Bricking Solutions encourages the safe use of all our products. When it comes to our attention that our products are being used in a way that may pose safety risks to its users we go the extra mile to bring the issues and the solutions to our clients attention. If you need a resolution to either of the issues discussed below, please call us immediately for assistance.

Two Potential Bricking Machine Safety Issues

There are two potential safety issues that have been brought to our attention recently we wish to address with our clients. With the advent of two shapes of brick, older bricking machines are commonly being overloaded by placing a second pallet of brick on the machine deck. In addition, some clients are using the bricking machine casters as brakes by turning them perpendicular to the kiln. Both issues have the potential of damaging the bricking machine frames posing unnecessary safety risks as well as adding significant down time to an outage.

Overloading of Old Bricking Machines

Since the mid 1960’s pneumatic bricking machines from Bricking Solutions, (f.k.a. Pneumat-O-Ring International) have been at work installing refractory in kilns world wide. These machines were originally designed to hold a total of 6,000 lbs. (2,724 kg), a gross machine weight which worked very well until it became common practice for the masons to stage two shapes of brick on the machine deck in full pallets. We believe that the best solution to this problem is to make the machine do what the masons need it to do - hold 10,000 lbs. (4,540 kg) safely. Towards that end we changed the design concept in our custom built Mult-O-Ring and our adjustable Expand-O-Ring to meet the new weight requirements the masons need to efficiently do their job. All MOR & EOR machines constructed after January 1, 2003 are rated for 10,000 lbs.

Damaging Machines by Using Casters as Brakes

The second safety issue is the practice of turning one or more casters perpendicular to the kiln axis during work to act as a brake. This practice has resulted in damaged bricking machine frames and significant down time added to the outage. The cure for this problem is simple: never put any load on a machine unless the casters are turned to run parallel to the kiln axis. Towards this goal we are installing lockable casters and warning labels on all new machines.

Free Damage Inspection

Bricking Solutions (Pneumat-O-Ring™) Bricking Machines were and are designed to last. Many are still on the job after 20+ years. Consequentially, there are many plants and contractors who have perfectly good machines, except that they are limited to staging one pallet of brick at a time. We would like to offer a free safety inspection of any machine we made that is still on the job, along with a quote on upgrading the machine to accommodate 10,000 lbs., as well as any repairs that might be needed. Our technicians will look for cracked welds, stressed members, both structural and support, and warped or bent parts. Functional tests will also be performed on all tools such as shim drivers and long jacks, as long as they are sent with the machine. A complete arch inspection will also be performed, documenting all cylinders in need of attention and recommendations as to repair or replacement. Converting the machine to locking casters will also be quoted at our cost because this is such an important safety issue. All we ask is that you agree to pay for the shipping to and from our factory near Seattle, WA. This is a standing offer and we will make every effort to have reliable rental machines available at reduced rates in case of emergency outages while your machine is off site. All machines that come to us for inspection, regardless of repair / upgrade work performed, will be completely relabeled for safety at no charge to the customer, including new caster labels. If you cannot send your machine to us for inspection and labels at this time, please contact us for a free set of caster labels for each machine at your plant to apply yourself. The caster labels are that important.

It is hard to believe Pneumat-O-Ring International became Bricking Solutions and our first Custom Made, Lightweight Aluminum Kiln Access Ramp™ was delivered just 5 years ago and now there are over 50 Ramps now in service world wide.