SCAFFOLDING INTERNATIONAL
32
access
INTERNATIONAL
JULY-AUGUST 2013
S
ince 2012 Port Arthur
in Texas, USA, has been
home to the world’s
biggest steam cracker.
The site is a joint venture
between BASF and ATOFINA
and is located in the high-risk
hurricane area in the Gulf of
Mexico. Furnaces heat crude
oil and break it down into
basic chemicals used later to
make adhesives, varnishes and
polystyrene.
One part of the transformation
process takes place in an almost
92 m high tower. To carry out
essential maintenance work
simultaneously on all six landings
of the tower, staff required 24
hour-a-day access to the different
levels.
Scaffolding was the first
requirement to provide sufficient
space outside the tower for
arriving and departing materials.
The Houston-based scaffolding
company Betco had the challenge
of developing a specific anchoring
system so that the scaffolding
could be fastened to the steel
frame of the tower.
But how under these conditions
could staff and materials be
transported quickly and effectively
to the top? One possibility would
have been to use a crane. In that
case workers would have had to
climb ladders fixed directly on
the scaffolding up to a height of
92 m.
Instead, BASF commissioned
the Houston firm Century
Elevators to provide a
construction hoist.The company
recommended a GEDA PH
3240 650 Twin. Features of the
model include a lifting speed
of 65 m/min, with a maximum
lifting height of 400 m. A total
of up to 30 people or an overall
material weight of 3200 kg can
be transported on the 1.55 x 4.00
metre platform.
A PH double car is used on the
BASF steam cracker.This means
that two cars – one on the left
and one on the right side of the
mast – can travel upwards and
downwards independently of each
other.
“The scaffolding and lift must
be attuned to each other with
great precision and therefore
the scaffolding was specifically
strengthened to withstand the
anchoring forces of the lift with its
two cars,” said a Geda spokesman.
Although most of the
maintenance work was to be
completed before the start of the
hurricane season, the scaffolding
and lift mast had to be designed to
resist hurricane-style wind gusts.
Since the Gulf of Mexico is one
of the world’s most hurricane-
affected regions.The PH 3240
650 Twin is also equipped with a
special wind gauge.
Safety is paramount. Before
each shift the car, mast and
anchorage are closely inspected
and approved for use.
Racks, pinions, gates, doors,
limit switches, brakes and
other electrical and mechanical
components are also checked
to ensure the safe and precise
operation of the lift.
Two machine operators and
two technicians are required to
be on-site 24 hours a day for the
duration of the project work.
AI
STREAMLINED PLANNING
HIGHLIGHTS
Avontus’ automated scaffolding drawing program, Scaffold Designer, aims to
make the process as simple as using paper with the advantages of automatic
3D modeling, equipment counting and leg load calculations.
“Software for scaffolding companies has come a long way in recent years,”
said Ali Hajighafouri with Avontus. “Basic drawing programmes and generic
rental software have given way to intelligent, specialised tools.”
According to Mr Hajighafouri, scaffolding companies can gain an advantage
by using software to respond to estimate requests quicker and more
professionally, while accurately tracking inventory and rental billing.
“For managing
scaffolding assets, look for
comprehensive inventory,
job costing and billing
software,” Hajighafouri said.
“Software can turn your
estimate into a shipment
and then an invoice in one
seamless process. A good
equipment management
programme makes even
complex job management
simple with tools like pick
tickets, asset tracking,
flexible billing cycles and
customizable reports.”
■
Construction sites paused work
for 30 minutes In Chicago, USA on
12 June to raise awareness among
employers and workers about the
hazards of falls in construction,
which are the leading cause of
job site deaths in the construction
industry. The US Department of
Labor’s Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA)
partnered with construction
bodies sponsored the stand down.
Nick Walters, OSHA’s regional
administrator, said,“Training was
provided on how to use ladders,
fall protection systems and other
equipment safely.” In 2011, there
were 262 fall fatalities out of 738
total fatalities in construction, OHSA
said.
■
UK scaffolding and access
equipment supplier Harsco
Infrastructure has opened a new
training centre in Immingham,
Lincolnshire, UK. The training centre
is accredited by the Construction
Industry Scaffolders Record
Scheme (CISRS). It will offer System
Scaffold Product Training Scheme
(SSPTS) courses, including theory
and practical training sessions on
Harsco’s Cuplok system - a fully
galvanised, multi-purpose steel
system scaffold for general access,
shoring and vertical load support
applications.
Betco cracks
Port Arthur
The Prefabricated Access Suppliers & Manufacturers Association
(PASMA) has published up-to-date guidance notes to assemble
and use mobile towers on the highway. Aimed at assisting licence
applicants and the local UK highway authorities that issue these
licences, the guide has been produced in association with the Health
and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Highways Agency, both also
based in the UK. The comprehensive guide covers areas including
design, assembly, steps that need to be taken to protect the public,
and traffic management. The picture shows PASMA training by
UK-based Facelift.
