The Client
AstraZeneca are a global pharmaceutical company with a major presence within the UK. Their purpose is to push the boundaries of science in order to deliver life-changing medicines to patients across the world. AstraZeneca has a portfolio of products spanning many major diseases including oncology, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, infection, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation.
With sites across the UK, their largest research and development centre is The Discovery Centre (DISC) in Cambridge, with over 2,200 research scientists working at the facility. The DISC has been designed to be a collaborative and inviting space with plenty of natural and sustainable elements to the site. The company aims to be completely carbon neutral by 2025 and negative by 2030.
The Brief
The roof space of the new Discovery Centre building in Cambridge has been designed to allow the interiors receive plenty of natural light – which is achieved through a ‘sawtooth glass design’. There are six plant areas that required access for maintenance purposes on the roof, as well as miles of cables that run along cable trays to power the DISC.
Heightsafe were asked to provide a comprehensive walkway solution to cover all areas and protect the cables in the six core areas of the roof.
The Solution
Heightsafe were able to supply and install almost 2000m of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) Walkway, complete with anti-slip ‘gritted’ surface with mesh size to suit loading requirements and no greater than 35mm gap in any direction to prevent objects such as tools falling through the mesh (in accordance with the requirements of BS 4592-0:2006).
The GRP walkway mesh was installed so that the longest side of the mesh is at a right angle to the direction of travel of the anticipated maintenance route(s). The system was installed as panels to allow ease of access to the space underneath, and the panels were installed on top of adjustable height supports.
The Outcome
Heightsafe were able to complete the bespoke system installation for AstraZeneca at their new Cambridge Discovery Centre and replace a safe access route to remove risks for personnel working at height. Heightsafe’s GRP Walkway is designed to provide safe, long-lasting and non-corrosive means of access, and has done just that for the maintenance personnel at AstraZeneca who require access to the roof space.
Do You Require a Walkway Solution?
In addition to GRP grated walkway systems, Heightsafe provide non-slip systems complete with handrail for other roof spaces such as pitched roofs. Contact our team today to arrange a site survey.
