Case Studies

Bedford Corn Exchange: Historic and listed building case study

08/11/2007

As a listed building in a town centre and a requirement for regular gutter cleaning and access to the roof, Pristine were approached by the local council to design a sensitive, practical mansafe and user friendly system for the future. The age, design, location and nature of the building poses many access and installation problems. Since historic buildings pre-date Construction Design and Management Regulations it is often the case that they were built with little regard for future safe maintenance or cleaning

The project requires a number of various installation solutions, each of which will be adapted to the various roof environments and materials.

Lifelines fixed into brickwork
We will install 2 horizontal lifelines into the brickwork face, which will span 30m and 12m on the opposite side. To install the system we will first install ladder ties and eyebolts on the opposite side of the brick work which will be used to create a safe work position for the installation process.

Fall arrest ladders & Fire Exits
To provide access to the system we will install a double rung vertical Y Spar fall arrest ladder which will run up to 10m. We will also install a fall arrest systems into the current hopped ladders. Currently there is no fire exit from the main roof, which requires us to install a 2 stage fire escape ladder into the down to the lower roof.

Roof edge protection: Free standing and concrete fix
The large open roof with be protected with freestanding edge protection. Edge protection will, also be placed on top of the small parapet walls and fixed 175mm through the concrete slab and into the brickwork.

Once installed and tested pristine will certify the system and then provide free onsite training for the maintenance team.

Ref: Nigel Marsden: Independent Chartered Surveyor

Redbull F1: Installation of new mansafe system & free maintenance team training

20/08/2007

Redbull had recently taken over a building with a mansafe systems on the 2 roofs. Both systems were condemned. Due to the following:

Roof 1: 2 separate no-continuous systems, brackets were lose, bolts and split pins were missing.

Roof2: This system had a mixture of Latchways and Protecta systems. Turnbuckles were placed within the system to connect the lifeline together, the wire was bent and slack, bolts and split pins were missing.

Solutions:
Pristine assessed the site and decided to work with the majority of the current system i.e.: Protecta to create a cost-effective and practical solution for the client. We created a 2 user work restraint system.

Roof 1: we installed 2 weightankas which were used to create no penetrating anchorage points. We were then able to connect to the lines together to create 1 continuous safe system. All required items were placed and then system certified for handover.

Roof2: Our main objective again was to create a safe system which didn’t require the operative to disconnect. Pristine removed the obstructive items and replaced them with the correct ones along with all the replacement items.

Pristine then provided a mornings free on site training for their maintenance team to ensure that the system could be used safely.

Pristine were then asked to assist with the implementation of 2 new fall arrest ladder systems along with designing and providing a quotation for the installation of 3 new system of 2 more buildings.

The new systems will be a combination of the following:

A combined overhead rail system and horizontal lifeline fixed back to the main steel structure on the plant room roof. Roof edge protection will then be placed on the main roof

Ref: Mrs C eterney, Facility Manager

Redbull photo’s x3

Oasis leisure centre: Testing of vertical lifeline

01/08/2007

The design of this building creates many maintenance access problems. Over the years the cladding panels have become lose, but nearly in-accessible to access and survey. It was established that to get close to the roof structure access was required up the side building. A system had been installed on the building when it was constructed but never tested or re-certified.

Pristine used their rope access technicians who are also certified installers and testers for horizontal lifelines to walk up the side of the building and test the systems and the structures that it is fixed to.

08th November 2007

After a full survey, it has also become apparent that the roof cladding is in need re-fixing with around 2000 300mm bolts and washers.

Pristine have assessed the site for internal & external access to install these items and it has been proposed that we use a combination of rope access techniques for internal fixings and MEWPS for the external to install new fixings through the cladding.

The proposal has been put forward to the council for review.

Ref: Mr Patrick Bedford Design Group

Oasis photo’s x 2