Unusual Hinge kit

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indiana jones

Member
I did a job today on a serious steep pitched metal roof that I insisted the owner have a work platform constructed on. They had a commercial heating contractor put up a nice, but narrow platform which looks real good from the road. I was all set to install hinges on this standard upblast fan - I tipped it up and it rested on the safety hand rails of the platform. Here's the best part, the AC guy hammered 2 standard aluminum nails into the screw holes on the curb. The nails were soft enough to bend from the weight of the fan and acted like a hinge, the heads and the railing held the fan from going over the edge. I still have my hinges which is no big deal, but it seems to me that if that railing wasn't there and I used some light chain screwed on the the curb and fan - I'd have a mighty inexpensive hinge kit - for say the cost of a couple of nails, some chain, 2 sheet metal screws and a pair of nuts and bolts. Anybody ever try something like that. Lets face it, in our experience fans that don't have hinges aren't being tipped or cleaned that often and most chain restaurants try to adhere to NFPA 96. What's $25.00 to make them compliant and easier for us? I wonder if this heating/AC guy does any cheap grease catchers? I didn't bring a freekin camera!
 
Graingers is carring hinge kits that looked like nothing more than what your talking about...

But, Would you trust ten completely..

Matt
 
I could be wrong but 8.1.1.1 states that hinges should be listed for this use?
Any of the pros care to comment?
 
The point is these are for our convenience to clean fans that are raised up on high curbs. We do some that are 6 ft high with no hinges. NFPA specifies hinges, listed means underwriters lab approved. That's all that means. We have to use a 2X4 on some joints, NFPA goes out the window when it's dark and you are on a roof. Whatever works. Would I trust the nails and chain long term Mattia, not but these are upblast fans that you do every so often - bars & grills, etc.
 
I think you fellows are missing the point. Sure the "right hinges" are right. But, I don't like giving away $30.00 hinges for free. This is just something I think will help do the job more easily when there are no hinges and no hope of selling them. Let's face it - in the field you do what you can do to do the job. Then you get back to the office and compain about what should have been.


The hinge kits from Grainger are UL Listed and sell for $243.00
The hinge jits from DripLoc and Captiveair sell for $40.00 and are not UL listed
For left coaster here's one from San Diego that's not listed: http://www.a1airvent.com/hinge_kit.htm, I think $50.00
 
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Matt,

That fan is not going anywhere - it's hooked on with chains. By the way, the nails are 20d so they have some girth and are shaped like a "j" . The way I see it - it's my convenience for a fan on top a 6' curb. When done you just yank them out 'til the next time.

Bryan,

I remember reading about guys giving hinges to customers by charging an additional bump in the price of the job. So each time they go back they collect on the hinges. Same with fan belts, maestro Mirza, I believe started that practice which pays for gas to the job. I personally can't recall ever giving anything for free or mentioning it.
 
Mr. Jones, I feel for all of us late at night and maybe cold, Hinge kits are hard sales.... Now if they dont want to buy the kit, It will blow around and get beat up, more than likely it was already beat up when I showed up...

I cant believe that tha hinge though Grainger was 247.00, I just picked up a mag at the local Graingers, I will let you know how much these were that I seen...

Take care,

matt
 
Went out to my truck and pulled the mag I received from grainger, It looks like the hinge kit I was talking about was 73.55, Item number4hx79 on a grainger number.

Still pricey for what you get. If I remember right the hinge kit offered from grease guard was about 100.00 dollars and was adjustable without even pulling the fan....

I know, I know, Try to sell it!

Matt
 
Matt,

Here's the catalogue listings:

4HX79
Hinge Kit, Required For NFPA 96 And UL 762 Cooking Applications, For Wheel Dia 10 to 20 In, Use With Dayton Ventilators 3GY66, 3GY67, 3GY70, 3GY71, 4HZ32, DAYTON
4HX79 1 Today $73.55 4025



4YY84
Hinge Kit, Required For NFPA 96 And UL 762 Cooking Applications, For Wheel Dia 24 In, Use With Dayton Ventilators 4YY20, 3GY73, 3GY68, 4YU99, Includes DAYTON
4YY84 1 1-3 Days $243.00 4025



4YY86
Hinge Kit, Required For NFPA 96 And UL 762 Cooking Applications, For Wheel Dia 36 In, Use With Dayton Ventilators 4YY22, 4YU11, Includes Retaining Cable, DAYTON
4YY86 1 1-3 Days $243.00 4025



4YY85
Hinge Kit, Required For NFPA 96 And UL 762 Cooking Applications, For Wheel Dia 30 In, Use With Dayton Ventilators 4YY21, 3GY74, 3GY69, 4YU10, Includes DAYTON
4YY85 1 1-3 Days $243.00 4025


The $73.00 model kit is for down blast fans, for regular fans add $170 plus tax.
My feeling is whatever works - works. If you know what I mean - 2X4s/ block and tackle/ plastic crate/ etc.
 
indiana jones said:
My feeling is whatever works - works. If you know what I mean - 2X4s/ block and tackle/ plastic crate/ etc.
Click to expand...

At least I know i'm not the only one that thinks that way.:cool: This post turned my day around thanks.:D
 
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