The Client
Bellway are one of the UK’s biggest residential property developers and during recent years they have been at the forefront of the country’s ‘New Homes’ boom. They are currently in the process of developing a new apartment complex within a prominent location of Stratford called Legacy Wharf. A roofing contractor that is currently assisting with the project contacted Heightsafe for their specialist services to finish a Roof Access Installation project that was inherited by another contractor.
The Brief
Working only a stone’s throw away from the 2012 London Olympic Park, Heightsafe were invited to assist the project architect with a compliant design that allows permanent access up and over various high-level copper finished pitched roofs.
The roofing requires regular access for maintenance and servicing of critical plant equipment amongst other infrequent tasks such as window and Gutter Cleaning. This meant it was imperative for a suitable Roof Access System to be installed. Heightsafe also needed to install a number of Safety Line Systems as these would be required to allow personnel to Work at Height safely and efficiently.
The Solution
Since the posts were installed prior to Heightsafe’s involvement, personnel ensured that they were safe, secure and suitable for cables to be added to finish the Roof Access Systems. Once the checks had been completed, Heightsafe installed the Safety Lines and then moved on to connecting the Access Ladders and the surrounding safeguards to the posts. Following this, Aluminium Walkways were added to the top of the ladders, allowing access across the rooftop.
Due to the lightweight roofs being unable to withstand the required loadings, the design had to incorporate a series of angled structural members to support the units. The steel supports were installed alongside the SFS contractor before being made watertight. Only then could the mill finished aluminium units be assembled on site.
These works were completed in conjunction with a series of Fall Restraint and Abseil Systems to enable Roof and Rope Access window cleaning for the entirety of the building. The Safety Lines for the Fall Restraint System were installed into the Concrete Deck and Zinc Roofs.
The Outcome
Due to Heightsafe’s install team having years of extensive experience between them with Roof Access and Safety Line projects, Bellway can be satisfied that the property has a safe and reliable Working at Height system for any personnel that may need to access the rooftop for maintenance jobs or other operations. Since the equipment was subsequently tested and certified for use, there were no impending health and safety risks attributed with these systems.
Bellway were also aware that Heightsafe can regularly test these systems if needed. Thanks to Heightsafe’s market-leading Compliance Testing personnel, they have the option to agree to an annual or 6 month plan for regular inspections of their Working at Height systems, ensuring they are compliant, certified and meet regulatory standards.
This case study is another example that demonstrates how Heightsafe’s install team is leading the way in the Working at Height industry. What was looking like a project that had been started and left unfinished by another contractor is now a completed, high-quality Roof Access System that meets and surpasses regulatory guidelines.
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