The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008 | U.K. Edition
GKR Scaffolding completes largest of its type Layher staircase
GKR Scaffolding erect the UK’s largest of its type Layher staircases.
The challenge for Rochester, Kent based GKR Scaffolding Ltd. (GKR), build two match day staircases for access and egress to the East and North stands for the new stadium for Tottenham Hotspur Football & Athletic club in London. The stadium is being built adjacent to the existing one and the stair cases were required for the 2016 – 2017 season because of the phase one demolition; Mace is the main contractor for the £400 million project.
The solution, working closely with Layher Ltd. (Layher) and 48.3 Scaffold Design Ltd. (48.3) GKR to build the structures on a 14m x 13m footprint and 17m high to the roof. “A re-enforced concrete slab was installed to cover the entire base,” said Tony Lane, Associate Director GKR. “The staircase had to be designed to have a loading of 5kn/m2 on every level at anyone time and had to meet the stadia green guide for clear access routes,” said Lane.
The staircases had to be ready for the start of the new football season necessitating two shift working by GKR. “We had two teams of eight operatives on the structure, one team working 8.00am to 4.00pm and the other team working 4.00pm to 10.00pm, from start to finish for three weeks,” said Lane. “The project was very testing due to the limited build time and this required a good working relationship with Layher and 48.3 to make it run smoothly.”
Sean Pike, managing director, Layher said that the structure, “Is the largest stair of its type erected in the UK, utilising our, “integrated systems,” of Allround scaffolding, Stair 750, and Protect rigid cladding wall cassette system – technically, it is a large stair because we had to make clusters of quadruple standards so that it can withstand massive loads of match day foot traffic in the tens of thousands.”
Pike said that the staircases, “Also needed to be flame proof, hence all steel construction and, as it is and will remain a working site, the public require protection at all times, hence it being fully clad in our protect wall cassette system, which additionally provided a sound reduction value from site operations of 21 decibels. The protect system also has a rubber vacuum seal all around the edges to prevent dust and small particle penetration, which is inevitable at a construction site.”
Pike explained that internally, “The stair system treads and risers and landing platforms are covered in our (Layher’s) GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) anti slip/fire proof coverings – giving the finished product a real look of a permanent structure – certainly from the outside the protect system gives the appearance of a finished building, whilst inside, the users of the stair will feel as though they are wrapped in cotton wool.”
As with any scaffolding structure the base out and setting out is critical to its success and this, “Relied entirely,” said Pike, “upon the expertise of GKR scaffolding’s workforce,” he said. “Offsite product training and mock ups were undertaken along with additional site support from Layher working with the GKR operatives to ensure the base out/drawing plans, provided by the Layher technical department, were accurately adhered to. This collaborative working and its successful results can be clearly seen by the finished product. A testament to contractor/supplier strategic partnership.”
Technical
Layher said that the project overall had some high level technical challenges that required both our technical and training departments to work very intensively with GKR and the client, these challenges included:-but were not limited to:
(4) The configuration of the stair flights themselves, as dictated by the client for correct foot flow posed a further problem. This was overcome by the introduction of 2 step special innovative stringers and guard rails that could be fitted between landings to provide additional flexibility.
Written By Ian McInnesModus Access Falls Into Administration
Southampton based Modus Access UK has ceased trading and entered administration leaving 11 employees redundant.
The firm was originally founded in 2010 by the late Terry Sennett, after three successful years of trading Terry passed the company to its employees to run. Modus traded across the South Coast and serviced a number of large clients including Kier, British Gas and Southampton City Council. At its peak the business generated turnover of more than £1m and employed 16 members of staff. However, in the last 18 months the company suffered a downturn in turnover and was no longer able to meet its financial obligations. Modus Access UK ceased trading on 24 July 2016, administrators RMS were appointed the following day. Following advice provided by RSM it was recommended that the company be placed into administration with a view of achieving a pre-packaged sale of its assets. In the four weeks leading up to the appointment, RMS undertook a marketing process and various expressions of interest were received. Following negotiations, a sale of the company’s system scaffolding equipment was made to Blencowe Scaffolding, a competitor looking to expand its operations and set up a new division based out of Southampton. Alexander Kinninmonth, RSM partner and one of the joint administrators, said: “In this instance, it was not possible to rescue the business as a going concern. However, the sale of the assets provides Blencowe Scaffolding with a platform on which it can expand into the local market and delivers the best possible outcome for creditors.”XERVON Plamers Awarded Glasgow Hotel Construction Project
Palmers has secured a significant contract from Ogilvie Construction for the Motel One Hotel construction project in Glasgow.
XERVON Palmers will be utilising Layher Scaffold System to provide the access to facilitate the construction of the 374 bedroom hotel.
XERVON Palmers MD, Donald Morrison said: “We are pleased to confirm that we have been appointed by Ogilvie to provide access scaffolding at their Motel One Hotel construction project in Glasgow. Congratulations to the team for securing this contract… which will contribute to the planned restart of the Palmers Glasgow branch.”
The Motel One hotel contract for Ogilvie has an overall value of £22M & is located next to the Glasgow Central Railway Station.
Family owned Ogilvie Construction is one of Scotland’s largest privately owned construction companies.
AIF Conference Set to Shape the Height Safety Agenda
The Access Industry Forum (AIF), the forum for eleven of the leading trade associations and federations involved in work at height, has confirmed the speaker lineup for its first national, one-day conference: Implementing change and innovation in work at height.
The conference will take place at the Holywell Park Conference Centre at Loughborough University on 13 October 2016.
Dedicated exclusively to height safety, the Forum has assembled an impressive line up of expert speakers from industry, academia and the professions. They will address the issues and topics, trends and developments set to shape the work at height agenda over the coming months and years. In total, ten presenters will cover a wide range of topics from drones to designing for access.
Speakers include Philip White, head of operational policy and strategy at the Health and Safety Executive; Steffan Groch, chair of the Health and Safety Lawyers’ Association; Paul Bussey, chairman of the Designers’ Initiative on Health and Safety; Prof Tim Marsh, chairman of RyderMarshSharman; and Dylan Roberts, director of health, safety and wellbeing at Skanska UK.
Also speaking will be Dr Shaun Lundy of the University of Greenwich – a member of the HSE’s Myth Busters Challenge Panel – who will talk about the myths and misconceptions surrounding work at height, and John Dunne, group health, safety, environment and quality director at the Wates Group who will discuss his company’s We’re safer together initiative.
According to the Forum, this will be the first conference to focus entirely on the future of work at height and promises to be a landmark event in the evolution of height safety. It will examine the key issues facing professionals today in this critical area of health and safety.
More information about the conference please vist: www.accessindustryforum.org.uk/event/2016-aif-conference-latest/
First Ever CISRS Scaffolding Training Commences in Nepal
Safety & Access have announced the commencement this week of the very first CISRS scaffolding training ever to take place in Nepal.
Nepalese scaffolders are renowned throughout the world for their hard work and commitment to learning. This week the first group of trainees attended our centre in the heart of Kathmandu to commence CISRS training and learn new skills to take to the Gulf with them and to increase efficiency and safety in their workplace.
CISRS qualifications are very important to the Nepalese people as these provide independently accredited qualifications recognised by clients throughout the Middle East and thus increase job prospects.
As you may be aware just over a year ago Nepal was devastated by an earthquake that left almost 10’000 people dead. This has had a major effect on the economy. It is envisaged that the availability of CISRS training within Nepal will assist the scaffolders there with improved job prospects abroad to ensure that their families are provided for and that on some levels lives can be enhanced.
The training precedes an intensive four week marketing campaign to promote the centre and CISRS qualifications within UAE, Qatar and Saudi where interest in the training at source in Kathmandu is increasing.
A full report on the CISRS training and benefits to the Nepalese people will follow from ScaffMag in due course.
New NASC Guidance on Use of Readylok Transoms
NASC provide data guidance on the use of Readylok Transoms in July’s TG20:13 update.
Structural testing and research by the NASC and Generation UK Ltd now remove any confusion on how Readylok Transoms can be used.
The NASC have not yet publicly announced the July 2016 update to the structural requirements and testing regime of prefabricated transom units. But this new revision now shows Readylok prefabricated transom units can be used to replace structural transoms and reduce the need for ledger braces.
Many scaffolders value and benefit from the fast erection times, reduction in components and costs delivered through Readylok. But since their introduction, over twenty years ago, there has been limited test data to confirm whether their use permits the removal of ledger braces.
In partnership with the NASC, Generation UK have undertaken the necessary research to define the performance criteria of the Readylok Transom, to comply with the TG20:13 guidance. The research used the Generation Readylok as its test product to enable the NASC to update previous inconclusive data.
The NASC have now provided an update to the structural requirements and testing regime for the Readyloks to be compliant with the calculations used in TG20:13. This means that scaffolders can provide evidence about the suitability of the use of Readylok Transoms to remove ledger braces and reduce components, assembly costs and improve erection times.
Generation UK, managing director said about the NASC update to TG20:13 “We are proud to work together with the NASC to provide scaffolders with the necessary certificates of conformity and the confidence to use Readyloks to systemise tube and fittings. This is one part of our programme to continually improve the products and services we provide.”
Strike to Hit Shells North Sea Platforms
North Sea oil and gas workers are to strike for the first time in a generation.
Almost 400 members of Unite and RMT unions working for Wood Group across eight Shell oil and gas platforms in the North Sea are set to take the action in a dispute over 30% pay cuts and changes to allowances. The first 24-hour stoppage will take place Tuesday, July 26 which will then be followed by a series of other stoppages over the following weeks. This follows a 99.1% vote in favour of strike action by Unite members, and a 98.5% vote by RMT members. It is expected the strike action, the first since the 1990s, will severely disrupt operations on the Shell platforms based in the North Sea’s Brent and Central oil and gas fields. Union members are angry over Wood Group’s proposal to cut pay and allowances by up to 30%. Recent changes have also seen workers move from a two-week working cycle to a three-week working cycle, which means working extra weeks offshore for the same salary. Speaking to Offshore Post Wood Group’s CEO, Dave Stewart said: “Our firm focus remains on reaching a resolution, which meets our mutual goal of sustaining these jobs for our employees in the North Sea now and in the future, against the backdrop of an extremely challenging climate created by the sustained low oil price,” According to a statement by the RMT and Unite unions, the strike action will be taken across Shell assets in the Brent field at the following platforms: Shearwater, Gannet, Nelson, Curlew, Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo and Brent Charlie.Review: Apache Heavy Duty Work Trousers
A good quality no-nonsense trouser at a low price – ‘what more would you want’ ?
Welcome to another installment of our reviews. Over the last month we have been reviewing a series of workwear products all supplied by the guys at the Leeds based Active Workwear.
Apache Heavy Duty Work Trouser
The UK based brand of workwear products never seems to disappoint on quality and these trousers are no different. If your looking to spend a small amount of your hard earnt cash on work clobber look no further.
Among many features, the heavy duty, low rise waist trousers benefits from a reinforced crotch, triple stitched inside leg seams, Cordura covered knee pad holders and a diverse range of velcro utility pockets. Notably the trousers also include a convenient Phone pocket designed to hold larger modern phones.
Other features:
- Two tuck away holster pockets with Cordura
- Reflective piping to rear of hem
- Cordura reinforced hem
- 280g Poly Cotton
- Machine washable
Wearability
The trousers were very comfortable and stylish to wear, however they did feel a little heavy until I was used to them.
Available in Black, Grey/Black & Stone
Price £29.99 Incl VAT @ www.active-workwear.co.uk
Scaffolding Finance for the 21st Century
Independent Unbiased Third Party Finance Leaving Your Bank Line Free for Emergencies.
Minaur Corporate Finance, (MCF) have worked with a wide range of scaffolding and construction companies arranging all types of facilities to fund their businesses.
Twenty five years ago Paul Minaur financed his first “Hire to Sale” scaffolding transaction. When it became clear how much was being charged to hire equipment, coupled with the additional costs and complications of playing for “lost items” when returned, it was immediately obvious that there was a huge unsupported demand for finance in the Scaffolding Market.
Our initial scaffolding client is now a multimillion pound concern.
Many lenders do not finance scaffolding, except for the strongest credits, but MCF does! We achieve this via a range of lenders who offer Leasing, Hire Purchase and Unsecured Commercial Loans for both Scaffolding and Accessories. Some of our lenders only accept scaffolding business from MCF as they know we have a history in this market and for many years have had strong relationships with suppliers in the UK.
Every Company is unique, so one solution does not fit all. From one source you can access MCF’s multiple lenders and funding options. With years of experience we can match each requirement to the most appropriate lender.
We Have Financed:
Traditional Tube , Fittings & Boards, Systems including Layher, Haki, Cuplock, NOR48, Accessories such as Brick Guards, Netting, Chutes and Skips.
As well as Supplier Invoiced New Transactions, we arrange Refinancing of Assets already owned to raise Capital to make further purchases. We have arranged facilities for clients purchasing second hand stock from companies which are ceasing to trade.
Suppliers introduce clients to us when there is a requirement which they cannot satisfy with their in-house extended credit terms (if they offer them). A typical client will have an amount of stock which is hired already and they need more. MCF can arrange finance to cover the transfer of hire to sale or the cost of the new equipment to be purchased. This frees up the “Hire Account” so the supplier can provide additional stock when required.
Historically, MCF has even secured facilities with underwriting being based on the Scrap value of Steel.
Minimum deal size is £5,000.00 with no upper limit. The typical size requirement is between £50,000 and £150,000. The largest single facility we have provided for scaffolding to date is £750,000.
The majority of our clients use a Full Payout Finance Lease as all the payments are tax deductable and title to the goods can be easily arranged. (Lenders want a return on the money, not a pile of second hand scaffolding). Unsecured business loans give clients the money to use as “Cash buyers” to negotiate terms with suppliers (or tarmac their Yard!).
We can arrange facilities up to £50,000 for single tenant Director Companies with at least 2 years accounts.
As well as scaffolding we also finance, Portacabins, Cars, Vans LCV & HGVs including Hook & Cable Lift Vehicles and Beds, JCBs, Telehandlers, Forklifts and Powered Access Equipment. CCTV, Security Fencing and Shipping Containers.
In short if your business has a finance requirement, MCF will know the lender and how to make it happen. Whether a sizable requirement for an established business or a more modest value for a young or start-up situation we have the Funders to assist.
For an initial No Obligation Consultation call us on:01600 860 013 or email [email protected]
http://www.m-c-f-ltd.co.uk/scaffolding-finance.html