An innovative suspended platform has been introduced to the Nordic market by temporary access solutions provider HAKI.
The flexible TechniSpan system, which was originally developed by HAKI’s recent acquisition Span Access Solutions, improves the efficiency and safety of underdeck, bridge, and jetty works in the important offshore, energy, and infrastructure industries.
With fewer contact points than traditional scaffolding, the unique traversing system can be easily and quickly erected, lifted, and lowered to cover large working areas, leading to an overall reduction in project time schedule and labour costs for Nordic customers. Technispan system also contributes itself well to complex environments by overcoming challenging difficulties in permanent structures, where conventional solutions often fall short due to limited flexibility.
The suspended platform system can, with great benefits, be integrated with the HAKI Universal scaffolding system to offer new solutions and methods for accessing project requirements in dynamic situations. By combining both HAKI and Span Access’s products and support services, customers can expect a complete service from design to supply, including expert technical advice throughout the project.
Commenting on the entry to Nordic market, HAKI CTO and Span Access MD, Ross Turner said: “By introducing this new innovative access and safe workplace solution to the Nordic region, HAKI and Span Access, will transform the market.
“All the experience and expertise we have established with TechniSpan in the UK market will enable us to deliver highly successful projects in the Nordics, in scenarios where traditional scaffolding would fall-short.”
TechniSpan and the Span Access brand have already proven their capabilities in the UK market, being commissioned for high-profile projects on Scotland’s iconic Forth Road and Rail Bridges and numerous offshore oil and gas projects.
TechniSpan in action on the Forth Bridge
During routine inspections of the Forth Road Bridge in 2015, a crack in the pivot of one of the truss end links was discovered. The changeout of the affected steelwork initially took 18 months to complete; largely slowed down by the traditional scaffolding having to be continually modified to react to the changing work scope and with the scaffolders impeded with a lack of suitable steelwork for their connections into the structure.
Subsequently in 2017, Transport Scotland decided to change the remaining seven end links as a precaution. Due to the disappointing results using conventional access methods, Span Access was contracted to design, engineer, and install a bespoke access system for the later works.
A completely unique hybrid solution using the TechniSpan suspended access platform was specified, which was easily capable of spanning the 10m between structural pick-ups while retaining the strength required to support a five-lift scaffold in its entirety. This in turn was mated with a compatible HAKI Stair Tower, constructed from the platform deck level; giving the contractors five working lifts to access all areas of the scaffold.
Several scenario drawings and checks were completed by the in-house design team, prior to installation, to allow the platform to be opened-up and allow the lifting in of steelwork from river level. A host of hop-ups and variations on the five-lift scaffold were also all designed and checked in advance to give the project the flexibility it needed to succeed.
Additional engineering support throughout the project allowed the client to react to unforeseen circumstances and the swift removal of the system allowed normal bridge operations to resume earlier than planned.
Together, Span Access and the TechniSpan system, helped achieve an 80% reduction in installation time over traditional scaffolding. This led to successful delivery of the project, along with the additional pre-mobilisation engineering works which allowed for most modifications to be completed without works being halted.
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