Patent Publication Number: US-2023151621-A1

Title: System for accessing and/or allowing safe movement on a unit mounted on a structural support

Description:
FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present application relate generally to systems and methods for accessing and/or allowing safe movement on a large structure that rests on a structural support (e.g., a curb, a baserail, etc.). 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently, buildings have large industrial/commercial equipment, such as large rooftop unit (“RTU”) systems and cooling towers, that are at least six feet tall. However, while such equipment requires servicing, repairs, etc., it may be difficult to access the top of these systems due to the large size and height. 
     There is currently no safe and secure system that allows one to service, repair or perform maintenance on the top of the equipment. There is no current system that allows for quick and easy installation of a structurally safe railing system for working on such equipment. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments of railing systems and features thereof are provided herein. For example, railing systems are disclosed that provide railings above the top surface of the equipment but distribute any weight applied to the railing system, via vertical supports, to only a support structure (e.g. the curb the RTU rests on, the baserail of the RTU, etc.). This attachment method allows for a structurally sound and safe railing system but also a quick and easy install process for the railing system that can be applied to any industrial/commercial equipment. 
     The railing systems disclosed herein also could have anchorage points (also referred to “tie off” points) at the top of the vertical supports and/or floating floor systems on top of the industrial/commercial equipment. 
     Generally herein, the railing system may be disposed around industrial/commercial equipment (e.g., rooftop condensing unit) that includes a baserail near the bottom of the industrial/commercial equipment and may be disposed on a structural support (e.g. a curb). The railing system may include a plurality of vertical supports extending from the baserail or structural support to above a top portion of the industrial/commercial equipment; railing extending between the vertical supports; and an attachment system to attach the vertical supports to the baserail or structural support so that the vertical supports are configured to distribute any weight received directly to the baserail or structural support via the attachment system. 
     In one specific embodiment, a railing system to be disposed around industrial/commercial equipment. The industrial/commercial equipment comprises a baserail near the bottom of the industrial/commercial equipment. The railing system may include a plurality of vertical supports extending from the baserail to above a top portion of the industrial/commercial equipment; railing extending between the vertical supports; and at least one attachment clip corresponding to a first vertical support of the plurality of vertical supports and being configured to be attached to the baserail so that the first vertical support is configured to distribute any weight received directly to the baserail or curbs via the at least one attachment clip. 
     In one embodiment, a railing system is disposed around industrial/commercial equipment. The industrial/commercial equipment is installed on a curb, where the curb includes a first opening on a first side. The railing system may include a plurality of vertical supports extending from the curb to above a top portion of the industrial/commercial equipment; railing extending between the vertical supports; and at least one tube insert comprising: a first tube insert comprising: (1) an insert portion sized to fit within the first opening; and (2) a base configured to attach to a corresponding vertical support. The at least one tube insert allows the corresponding vertical support to distribute any weight received only to the curb via the at least one insert. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a side view of a condenser railing system implemented on an RTU system, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a top view of the condenser railing system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a front view of the condenser railing system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-sectional view at one point where the condenser railing system connects to the RTU system using a clip where the clip is connected to the RTU system before the RTU system is attached to the curb, according to the embodiment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates a cross-sectional view at one point where the condenser railing system connects to the RTU system and this connection occurs after the RTU system has been attached to the curb, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  5 B  illustrates a cross-sectional view at one point where the condenser railing system connects to the RTU system using a clip where the clip is connected to the RTU system before the RTU system is attached to the curb, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  5 C  illustrates a cross-sectional view at one point where the condenser railing system connects to the RTU system using a clip where the clip is connected to the RTU system before the RTU system is attached to the curb, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a perspective view of a condenser railing system implemented on an RTU system that is already installed on a curb, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a perspective view of a condenser railing system implemented on an RTU system that is already installed on a curb, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a perspective view of a condenser railing system implemented on an RTU system that is already installed on a curb, according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS.  9 A,  9 B,  9 C and  9 D  illustrate perspective views a clip of the condenser railing system of  FIG.  8   . 
         FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  illustrate vertical supports of the condenser railing system according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  illustrate perspective views a clip of the condenser railing system of  FIG.  8    and connecting the vertical supports thereto, according to embodiments. 
         FIGS.  12  and  13    illustrate perspective views a portion of the condenser railing system of  FIG.  8    and connecting the railing to the vertical supports thereto, according to embodiments. 
         FIGS.  14 A,  14 B and  14 C  illustrate the condenser railing system of  FIG.  8    and the toeboard thereof, according to embodiments. 
         FIGS.  15 A,  15 B,  15 C,  15 D,  15 E and  15 F  illustrate a railing system with vertical supports connected to the curb, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  16 A and  16 B  illustrate vertical supports of the condenser railing system according to the embodiment of  FIGS.  15 A- 15 F . 
         FIGS.  17 A and  17 B  illustrate tube inserts of the condenser railing system according to the embodiment of  FIGS.  15 A- 15 F . 
         FIG.  18    illustrates a railing system with a floating floor system, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  19    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the floating floor system, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  20    illustrates a floating floor system partially installed, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments of the present application will now be described below. 
     Below is a discussion of: Railing System With Extended Curb Clip, Railing System With Short Curb Clip, Railing System With Curb Insert, Tie Off Points, and Floating Floor System. These embodiments are discussed below with corresponding Headers. 
     I. Railing Systems 
     Generally speaking, large industrial/commercial equipment require someone to access the top of the unit for maintenance, repairs, installation, and other purposes for accessing the top of such equipment. The equipment is at least six feet tall and thus, it is dangerous for someone to be that high up and also there may be areas on top of the equipment which the user may fall through. 
     The equipment may be any condenser unit, an air cooled water chiller, a remote condensing unit, a fuel tank, a cooling tower, any rooftop unit, and/or other industrial/commercial equipment requiring elevated servicing. The equipment typically has a baserail and/or is installed on a structural support (e.g., a curb). The baserail is a portion of the equipment which is used to lift the equipment using a crane or other lifting system. The baserail is made from a structurally strong material and typically does not have wires, tubes, etc. like other parts of the equipment. In one embodiment, the baserail of the equipment is located at the bottom 1-2 feet of the equipment and may have pre-drilled holes to allow bolts or other fasteners to be attached thereto. The baserail is a load bearing frame of the industrial/commercial equipment. 
     It should be understood that various embodiments of the present application below are described herein relative to a rooftop unit (“RTU”) (e.g., an HVAC unit) on the roof of a building. However, the present invention should not be limited to being implemented onto an RTU unit and is meant to be implemented on any other industrial/commercial equipment system in which is elevated (e.g., at least 3 feet tall, at least 4 feet tall, at least 5 feet tall, etc.) relative to the surface that supports such device or system. 
     These devices or systems need not be on the roof of a building (or be a rooftop unit) but could be located at any other place where a structural support (e.g., a curb) supports a large industrial device or system (e.g., any device which may require someone to go to a higher or top portion of the system and such system should have a railing or support system so such person does not fall off such unit or within an edge or hole in the unit (e.g., a hole providing airflow for a fan). Such devices or systems may be supported using what is referred to herein as a “structural support”, which could be a curb (e.g., a base plus a vibration isolation rail) that supports the weight of the industrial/commercial equipment and such structural support may be a device that is separate from the building or structure (or ground) that the structural support is placed upon. 
     Generally speaking, embodiments of railing systems may have at least one of two main purposes: 
     1—to provide a secure elevating means (e.g., a ladder) that allows a person to elevate or climb to access a top portion (or high portion) of the industrial/commercial equipment, whereby the railing system may not secured directly to the industrial/commercial equipment but instead directly only to the structural support or to only the industrial/commercial equipment; and 
     2—to provide a railing system that helps to protect a user or help prevent a fall from the top of the industrial/commercial equipment (or a fall into the industrial/commercial equipment), whereby the railing system is either (A) not secured directly to the industrial/commercial equipment (in one embodiment) but instead directly only to the structural support or (B) whereby the railing system is secured directly to a only a bottom portion (e.g., baserail) of the industrial/commercial equipment (in another embodiment)). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 19   , railing systems now be described according to various embodiments. As mentioned above, railing system can be applied to any industrial/commercial equipment, but is explained with regard to  FIGS.  1 - 19    using an RTU for ease of explanation but should not be limited to this application. 
     Generally, the railing systems discussed herein may include the following features: a ladder  3  (or other “elevating means” that is configured to allow a user to move to the top of the industrial/commercial equipment), vertical tubes  10 , and horizontal tubes  14  (also referred to herein a “railing”) which are connected between the vertical tubes  10  at or near the top of the industrial/commercial equipment. Also, in addition to these features, the railing systems may further include railing  14  that is connected to the vertical tubes  10  so that the railing  14  extends above the top of the industrial/commercial equipment and is vertically supported only by the vertical tubes  10 . 
     In one embodiment, the railing systems described herein may have diagonal support  107  from one vertical support  10  to an adjacent vertical support  10  since the vertical supports  10  extend a long length to provide structural support. This provides extensive support in the case of a heavy load, wind forces, or any other forces applied to the railing system. 
     More details of the various embodiments are disclosed below with different headings. 
     Railing System with Extended Attachment Clip 
     Referring first to  FIGS.  1 - 7   , a railing system  100  with an extended attachment clip will now be described according to various embodiments. 
     As mentioned above, railing system can be applied to any industrial/commercial equipment, but is explained with regard to  FIGS.  1 - 7    with regard to an RTU for ease of explanation but should not be limited to this application. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 4   ,  FIG.  1    illustrates a side view of a condenser railing system  100  implemented on an RTU system  201 , according to one embodiment,  FIGS.  2  and  3    illustrate top and front views, respectively, of the condenser railing system of  FIG.  1   , and  FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-sectional view at one point where the condenser railing system connects to the RTU system using a attachment clip  13 , where the attachment clip  13  is connected to the RTU system  100  before the RTU system  100  is attached to the curb  20 , according to the embodiment of  FIG.  1   . 
     The attachment clip  13  may be installed and welded (or bolted using a bolt  11 ) to the internal face  17  of the curb wall along both long sides of the condenser section. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , a 4×2 tube  8  and a 2×2 tube  9  section is placed in both clip channels and welded (or bolted) in place. The clip channels may extend completely along the side of the RTU system  201  (or curb  20  in another embodiment). An additional tube  9  may connect the tubes  8  (located in the clips channels) to form a “U” structure around the back of the unit. The “U” connection provides structural support for the ladder, upper structure and railing. 
     In some embodiments, vertical supports  10  may be connected to the tubes  8  in a vertical alignment along both sides of the RTU  201 . The vertical supports  10  may extend from the attachment clip  13  to at least 42″ above the top of the RTU  201 . 
     A square top structure  14  may include railings  14  connected in a square or rectangular pattern at the top of the RTU  201  to form the upper railing structure, including toeboard  7 , midrail  6 , handrail  5 , and horizontal top rails  108 . The railing  14  may not be connected directly to the RTU  201  so that the RTU  201  does not support the weight of (or weight on) the square top structure  14  according to this embodiment. In one embodiment, the railing is only attached to the vertical supports and the vertical supports are only connected to the baserail  211 . 
     A ladder  3  is constructed from tube rungs  1  and tube section  15 . The vertical supports for the ladder  3  are connected to the upper and lower structure at the back of the RTU  201 . 
     A self-closing hinge  2  may be provided at the top of the ladder  3  as a safety precaution and also for OSHA compliance. The mid-rail  6  and hand rail  5  are connected between the vertical supports  10 . As required by OSHA standards, support posts  16  may be used periodically between the vertical supports  10 . A 4 in toeboard  7  may be installed at the base of the railing system that provides a barrier from the RTU to the railing so that a clearance or opening does not exist above the walking-working surface of the RTU and the railing for safety purposes. 
     As shown  FIGS.  2 - 4   , vertical posts  10  are connected to the curb  20 . In one embodiment, the vertical posts  10  are only connected to the curb  20  and not to the RTU system  200 . The vertical supports support all of the weight of the railings  14  and distribute the weight thereof directly to the curb  20  via a clip  13  in this embodiment. The clip  13  provides support for the vertical supports  10  and the clip  13  is shown in  FIG.  4    as being bolted to the curb  20  from an inside surface  17  of the curb. The clip  13  then supports the vertical posts  10  and distributes the weight therefrom to the curb  20 . 
       FIG.  5 A  illustrates a cross-sectional view at one point where the condenser railing system  100  connects, using a clip  13 ′, to the RTU system  201  and this connection occurs after the RTU system  100  has been attached to the curb  20 , according to one embodiment;  FIG.  5 B  illustrates a cross-sectional view at one point where the condenser railing system connects to the RTU system  100  using a clip  13 ″ where the clip is connected to the RTU system before the RTU system  201  is attached to the curb  20 , according to one embodiment; and  FIG.  5 C  illustrates a cross-sectional view at one point where the condenser railing system connects to the RTU system using a clip  13 ′″ where the clip  13 ′″ is connected to the RTU system  100  before the RTU system is attached to the curb  20 , according to another embodiment. 
     Each of  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  shows different clips  13 ′,  13 ″, and  13 ′″ that may be used to support the vertical posts  10  of the system  100 . In each instance, the clip  13 ,  13 ′,  13 ″, and  13 ′″ attaches to the vertical posts  10  and the curb  20 . For  FIG.  5 A , the RTU system is already connected to the curb  20  and the clip  13 ′ attaches directly to the bottom of the RTU system  200  at a mounting area  60 . 
     The mounting area  60  shows the RTU unit lifting lugs and splice plate. These items are used for rigging and lifting purposes and are integral to the RTU unit itself. In other words, the predrilled lifting lug/splice plate holes  70  are used to fasten the lifting lugs to the baserail of the RTU system  200  (as shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7    which illustrate a perspective view of a condenser railing system implemented on an RTU system that is already installed on a curb, according to one embodiment). 
     The clips  13 ,  13 ′,  13 ″, and  13 ′″ in this embodiment, extend between two vertical posts  10  and there are two clips for the system  100 —one clip  13 ,  13 ′,  13 ″, and  13 ′″ on one side of the RTU  201  and another clip  13 ,  13 ′,  13 ″, and  13 ′″ on an opposite side thereof. 
     The vertical supports  10  connect to a respective clip via bolts (for example). Each clip  13 ,  13 ′,  13 ″, and  13 ′″ may include adjustable slots so that the bolts of the vertical supports  10  can slide the vertical supports  10  horizontally allowing for adjustments in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the vertical supports  10 . 
     In another embodiment, the vertical supports  10  could be unitary with the clips (e.g., welded, formed from a single piece of material, etc.) 
     It is noted that the railing system  100  is only attached to the RTU directly to the baserail such that it is not directly attached at any other location on the RTU and is not directly attached to any other component, such as the curb or the roof of the building. 
     The extended curb clip distributes the weight received from the vertical supports  10  along the length of the clip. 
     Railing System with Short Attachment Clip 
       FIGS.  8 - 14    illustrate a railing system  250  similar to the railing system  100  described above. While system  250  is explained with regard to an RTU, it should not be so limited and instead can be used for any industrial/commercial equipment similar to system  100  described above. However, one difference between railing system  250  and railing system  100  is the way the vertical posts  10  are supported as is explained below. 
     As mentioned above, the railing system  250  is similar to the railing system  100 . For example, the railing system  250  includes vertical posts  10 , railings  14 , and the ladder  3  (among other features). However, the railing system  250  connects to the RTU baserail  211  at the mounting area  60  using different a clip system  150 , which is described below. 
     The clip system  150  includes clips  80  and  82  ( FIGS.  9 A-B ), brackets  15  (which connects to the clips  80  and  82 ), and a connector system  85 ,  86 ,  93 ,  96 ,  97 ,  98 ,  99  (including fasteners, washers, spacer plates, lifting lugs, and nuts). 
     A first clip  80  may be a unit to condenser clip assembly which connects proximate to a middle of the RTU, and a second clip  82  may be a condenser end clip assembly that connects at an end of the RTU, as shown in  FIG.  8   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , each of the clips  80  and  82  include adjustable slots  92  so that the bolts  85  that connect the vertical supports  10  to the clips  80 ,  82  allow the vertical supports  10  to slide horizontally along the slots allowing for adjustments in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the vertical supports  10 . Once the vertical supports  10  are adjusted to the right position (e.g., the vertical supports are all exactly vertical (e.g., perpendicular to the slots), then the bolts  85  connect the tabs  15  of the vertical supports  10  to the clips  80 ,  82 , respectively. 
     The clips  80 ,  82  may include holes so that a connection system may connect thereto. The connection system for clip  82  may include bolts  96 , nuts  95 , washers  97 ,  98 , spacers  93 , spacer plates  93  and for clip  80 , the connection system may include bolts  96 , washers  97 ,  98 , and lifting lug  99 . 
     In this system, the clip  80 ,  82  is attached to the base rail of the RTU. As such the RTU is fully supporting all of the weight and forces from the railing system  250 . 
     It is noted that the railing system  250  is not secured to the top of the RTU and is only attached directly to the baserail. 
     The curb clip  80 ,  82  distributes the weight received from the vertical supports  10  along the length of the clip  80 ,  82 . However, clip  80 ,  82  differs from clips  13 ,  13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ′″ because  80 ,  82  does not completely extend horizontally between two vertical supports  10  (which is what clips  13 ,  13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ′″ do). Indeed, clip  80 ,  82  extends a certain distance on each side of the vertical posts. Clip  80 ,  82  therefore distributes weight along the length of the clip  80 ,  82 . The advantage of using clip  80 ,  82  over clips  13 ,  13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ′″ is that clip  80 ,  82  is lighter in weight than clips  13 ,  13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ′″ (because it does not use as much material) and thus, allows for a railing system with clip  80 ,  82  to be lighter than the railing system with clips  13 ,  13 ′,  13 ″,  13 ′″. This can be advantageous in install and also in the amount of forces applied to the curb. 
     Attachment clip  82  is configured so that the post can connect to the clip but also extend at least 8 inches off of the RTU, which will allow the ladder  3  to be spaced from the RTU at least 8 inches to comply with OSHA. Indeed, the railing systems herein are each OSHA compliant with regard to: 1926 Subpart M—Fall Protection and 1926 Subpart X—Stairways and Ladders. 
     In one embodiment, the attachment clip can be attached to the vertical post (via welding, bolts, etc.) prior to installation and the clip can have holes that are extended and such attachment clip can be attached to the RTU via these holes. In this regard, the vertical supports  10  do not need to be attached to a separate attachment clip at the time of installation but instead can be a portion of the vertical support that simply get attached directly to the baserail  211 . 
     Railing System with Curb Insert 
       FIGS.  15 - 17    illustrate a railing system  300  similar to the railing system  100  described above. However, railing system  300  and railing system  100  also supports the vertical posts  10  in different manners as is explained below. Indeed, in railing system  300 , the supports  10  are supported directly by the curb  20  and railing systems  100  and  250  are supported directly by a baserail of the RTU  201 . 
     Like railing systems  250  and  100 , railing system  300  may include vertical posts  10 , railings  14 , and the ladder  3  (among other features). However, the railing system  300  connects to a tube that is within the curb  20  (or a receiving portion of the curb), which is described below. In this regard, the curb  20  and supporting tube  202  support all of the forces of and applied to the railing system  300 . 
     When constructing some curbs, a supporting tube/receiving portion  202  can be inserted or integrally formed in the curb  20  so that the curb will fully and directly support any and all forces applied to the supporting tube/receiving portion  202 . The supporting tube/receiving portion  202  for example, may be a metal tube and, once formed or installed, may extend completely from one side of the curb  20  to an opposing side of the curb  20 , as shown in  FIGS.  15 A and  15 F . In one embodiment supporting tube  202  need not extend completely between one side of the curb  20  to an opposing side of the curb  20  since all that is needed is an opening that can support the tube insert  204  and a fall load. 
     The supporting tube  202  may be hollow at least on each end so that it is configured to receive an insert. The supporting tube  202  may be made from a metal such as steel, aluminum, a strong polymer or other like material. 
     Thus, the curb  20  will include a tube (or otherwise some receiving portion if no tube it provided) with at least on each end a hollow portion. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  15 A,  15 F,  17 A and  17 B , a tube insert  204  is configured to be inserted into the hollow end portions of the curb supporting tube/receiving portion  202 . The tube insert  204  includes an insert portion  206  and a vertical upright support portion  210 . The vertical upright support portion  210  includes a slotted portion  208 . The insert portion  206  of the tube insert  204  is inserted into the hollow end portions of the curb tube. 
     The slotted bracket  208  of the tube insert  204  aligns its slots to corresponding slots of a slotted support bracket  15  so that the slotted bracket  208  of the tube insert  204  connects to the slotted support bracket  15 . This connects the vertical supports  10  to the curb  20  via the tube inserts  204  (and system  150 ). In this regard, the curb  20  fully supports the railing system  300  via connecting system  150  (including tube inserts  204 ). 
     The connecting system  150  may be located on each of the four corners and attach to the curb  20  at each of the four corners of the railing system using each of the four vertical supports  10 . 
     Each of the connecting system  150  include adjustable slots so that the bolts that connect the vertical supports  10  to the tube inserts  204  allow the vertical supports  10  to slide horizontally along the slots allowing for adjustments in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the vertical supports  10 . Once the vertical supports  10  are slid to the right position (e.g., the vertical supports are all exactly vertical (e.g., perpendicular to the slots), then the bolts connect the tabs  15  of the vertical supports  10  to the tube inserts  204 , respectively, as mentioned above. 
     For each of the tube inserts  204 , the insert portion  206  of the tube inserts  204  may be centered on the vertical upright support  210 . However, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  17 B , the insert portion  206  of the tube inserts  204  are offset to the vertical upright support  210  to allow the slotted bracket portion  208  to cantilever relative to the curb so that a vertical supports  10  can extend diagonally away from a corner of the RTU. In this regard, the curb  20  still supports the vertical supports even though the tube inserts  204  allow for cantilevering of the bracket supporting portion  208  relative to the curb  20 . 
     This embodiment of the railing system  300  allows for new installs since when the curb is being constructed, the tube/receiving portion  202  can be constructed in the curb  20  to allow for quick installation of railing system  300  using tube inserts  204 . 
     II. Features of Railing Systems 
     Tie Off Points 
     In any of the above embodiments of the railing systems  100 ,  250 , and  300 , there may be tie off points. A tie off point, as used here is a point where a user can attach to so as to protect the user if the user falls. In this regard, in a fall, the tie off point will support the user&#39;s weight fully so the user does not fall off or in the RTU. For example, the user may have a harness that can clip to the tie off point, and if the user falls, the tie off point will fully support the harness and thus the user. 
     An example, of a tie off point is shown in  FIGS.  15 A,  16 A, and  16 B  at reference number  400 . Indeed, tie off point  400  is shown as a loop that is integrally formed (e.g., via welding) to the vertical supports  10 . Any force applied to each tie off point  400  is distributed down the respective vertical supports  10  and eventually to the baserail or curb (depending on which embodiment), and thus, the tie off points are specifically positioned on the vertical supports  10  so that a maximum amount of the force will be distributed to the curb or baserail through the vertical support  10 .  FIG.  15 A  shows that there are tie off points  400  at each vertical support  10  on each corner of the railing system. In this regard, the positioning of the tie off points  400  allow a user to connect to a tie off point  400  so that he can access all of the top of the RTU but still be safely attached to a tie off point. 
     As mentioned above, the vertical supports  10  are configured to support a 5000 lb fall load such that the supports  10  will not fail, shear, or deattach from the curb after receiving a force of 5000 lb. 
     The tie off point  400  shown in the drawings is an integrally-formed loop that is integrally-formed on the vertical support  10  of a railing system  100 ,  250 ,  300  described above. The loop of the tie off point  400  is made of metal and is shown as orientated pointing vertically. 
     Prior to the present application, there is no way to provide a tie off point to a railing system disposed above an RTU. Tying off to the railing did not provide enough strength to support a user. Tying off on the vertical support has two purposes: 1—the vertical supports provides sufficient structural support to support the weight of a person, and 2—allows a user to access all of the RTU since all four corners can be tie off points. 
     Floating Floor System 
     In railing systems, users typically walk on the top surface of the RTU. However, the top surface of the RTU is not designed for a user to walk on it, especially since there are openings for large fans which present a safety risk. 
     The present application provides a safer alternative to walking on the RTU. 
     As mentioned above, railing systems  100 ,  250  and  300  have a horizontal top rail  108  just above the RTU. 
     The horizontal top rail  108  extends completely between two vertical supports  10  in the same direction that the railing  14  extends and is positioned below the toeboard  7  as shown in  FIGS.  18 - 20   . There are at least two horizontal top rails  108  on opposing sides of the railing system, as shown in  FIGS.  18 - 20   . 
     The horizontal top rails  108  are configured to distribute any weight disposed thereon to the vertical supports which then distribute the weight to either the curb  20  directly or directly to the baserail  211  of the RTU  201 . 
     Support brackets  109  are configured to attach to an interior portion of the horizontal top rails  108 . Support brackets  109  are also configured to receive a plurality of floating floor sections  400 . Each floating floor section has a width that is less than the width of the horizontal top rail  108  so that multiple floating floor sections  400  can be placed side-by-side on the horizontal top rail  108 . 
     The floating floor sections  400  may be made of a sturdy material such as metal (e.g., steel, etc.), and may have holes to provide airflow from the RTU fans disposed underneath the floating floor sections  400  when installed. 
     In one embodiment, the floating floor sections  400  is removed or uninstalled when the fans of the equipment  201  is running. If the fans were running while the floating floor sections  400  is installed thereover, the fans may blow the floating floor sections  400  off of the track it is installed, creating a safety issue. In this embodiment, the floating floor sections  400  is only for providing an abrasive (e.g., non-slipping) working surface for maintenance and service. 
     The floating floor sections  400  each have a first end and a second end. Each of the first and second ends are configured to rest on the support brackets  109  and beside of opposing horizontal top rails  108 , respectively, so that any weight applied to the floating floor sections  400  are distributed to the support brackets  109  which distributes the weight to the horizontal top rails  108  (and then distributes that force to the vertical supports  10 ). The floating floor sections  400  have a length that is less than the distance between the two opposing horizontal top rails  108  but has a length that is more than the distance between support brackets  109  on opposing horizontal top rails  108 . 
     It is noted that the horizontal top rails  108  ensures the floating floor sections  400  stay positioned between the horizontal top rails  108 . In this regard, the horizontal top rail  108  act as a backstop so that the first and second ends of the floating floor sections  400  stay on the support brackets  109 . In this regard, the floating floor sections  400  are a length to rest on both opposing support brackets  109  at the same time and the vertical extending portions ensure that each floating floor section  400  does not slide so that the first and second ends each are not allowed to drop off of either support bracket  109 . 
     The floating floor sections  400  are comprised of a flat piece of metal that has each of the four edge sections bent, broken, or formed to provide more structural strength thereto. The floating floor sections  400  each have an abrasive surface so to prevent a user from slipping on the surface. 
     Each of the floating floor sections  400  may be placed side by side as shown in  FIGS.  18  and  20    to create a floor above the RTU. The floating floor sections  400  may be temporarily secured to the horizontal top rails  108  or support brackets  109  or may not be secured at all. The floating floor sections  400  are configured to be quickly and easily placed on the support brackets  109  by a user or by a machine (e.g., a lift). The floating floor sections  400  then may be removed as quickly and easily as they were installed. 
     In one embodiment, the floating floor sections  400  may be placed directly on the horizontal top rails  108  instead of the support brackets  109  with the toeboard  7  being the backtop of the floating floor sections  400  to keep the floating floor sections  400  on the horizontal top rails  108 . 
     All of the above description is some optimized implementation method and design choices. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principals of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact composition and use shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be restored to, falling within the scope of this invention. 
     The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to embodiments of the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of embodiments of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of embodiments of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand embodiments of the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and that embodiments of the invention have other applications in other environments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention to the specific embodiments described herein.