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ALL THE ORIGINAL INGREDIENTS June 15th and 16th 2016 marks 10 years of Vertikal Days at Haydock Park Now a major event in the European calendar for lifting and access professionals but with all the original ingredients... Cranes, Access Platforms and Telehandlers... and everything else in-between! To exhibit, email the Vertikal Days team at [email protected] or call +44(0)8448 155900 To visit, register online at www.vertikaldays.net www.vertikaldays.net Almost c&a mastclimbers but not quite… Elsewhere in this issue of Cranes & Access we feature a niche product that has not reached anywhere near its full potential - mobile tower cranes. Unfortunately, mastclimbers also fall into that ‘almost but not quite’ category. Like the mobile tower cranes the past few years, there is still - and also spider cranes - the a long way to go. The sector has benefits mastclimbers can only made a fractional percentage provide those that work at of penetration into the façade height on certain types of access market. Historically poor construction or refurbishment rental returns in the sector led to a projects are enormous, yet all general lack of investment in new too often more traditional forms equipment, along with a lack of of access equipment such as the engineering skills required to façade scaffold or swing stage plan and adapt equipment to the type of access to use for a particular When all is taken into consideration suspended platforms are used - varying size and complexity of many contract. Some companies say the 20 week contract length tends even when the mastclimber could building designs. mastclimbers should be used on to offer the most accurate decider. transform productivity, safety and The decision on whether to use projects more than 20 metres convenience. Mostly this is due Other factors such as scaffolding, hoists or mastclimbers high, however façade scaffolding to a lack of knowledge or lack of aesthetics or security is never straightforward and often is generally considered to be cost- available equipment. Even after all this there are still results in a combination of two or all effective up to 45 metres. Obviously other factors that may affect the Perhaps one reason they are three being used. Crash decks and the taller the project the more the choice including the aesthetics not as popular and more widely pedestrian access cover at street advantage swings towards the of the building which can be very used is that some people view level can be easily carried out with mastclimber. mastclimbers with suspicion - scaffolding, but then a choice of important during refurbishment We have used this example before assuming that they are overly scaffold, mastclimbers or suspended work particularly on large residential but it does illustrate the possible complicated or too expensive. platforms could be used above that. tower blocks and historic or benefits: When constructing a Nothing could be further from the Providing the best mastclimber/ landmark buildings. The more building 100 metres long and 25 truth. A mastclimber is simply a scaffolding combination depends discreet mastclimber is infinitely metres high i.e. 2,500 square platform with one or two masts and on height, length, contract time more preferable than looking at a metres the mastclimber solution a rack and pinion drive system that and schedule of work. There is scaffold-clad building for weeks is said to offer a cost saving in the could save the client - those two never a straightforward solution. or months on end. Whereas when region of 60 percent. Alternatively, magical words - time and money. And far from being only ever used the mastclimber platform is usually on straight facades, mastclimbers construction time may be the crucial parked in the lowered position when Not even scratched deciding factor. For example, if the the surface can be adapted to go round corners not in use, it is often difficult to see as well as on curved and circular contract needs the access system the masts on the building elevations. If we look at the UK for example, structures. for more than 20 weeks then façade while the handful of rental scaffold might prove to be more companies offering mastclimbers When to use a cost effective (depending on the have seen a noticeable improvement mastclimber? type of construction and scheduling in the awareness and usage over There are no fixed rules on which of the works). It should always be remembered that higher scaffolding usually requires a hoist to move people and materials from ground to platforms, along with an operator all of which has to be factored into the costings. Also a method of Mastclimbers use a platform, one or distributing the materials once they two masts and a rack and pinion drive system are delivered to the correct floor. February 2016 cranes & access 35 mastclimbers c&a Mastclimbers also have another cost effective and efficient solutions. forms of powered advantage in that there is less repair It is also usually better to have access, so too work to the building after the masts several machines along the building the Netherlands, have been removed because of the facade rather than fewer longer Scandinavia and reduced number of anchor points. platforms. More machines allow surprisingly Eastern Where space on the ground around different trades to work at different Europe. In Western the building is in short supply, speeds, with a great deal more Europe main mastclimbers can use a cantilevered flexibility than tie every on up on contractors are still gallows bracket allowing them to one long platform and reducing learning although be positioned further up the face efficiency. this is improving of the building - say on floors one as they move Not a regular or two - leaving the ground clear. between projects rental machine A mastclimber also leaves the and see more of Mastclimbers provide far better building aesthetics and security than scaffold building more secure overnight than But perhaps one of the main them in action or a scaffold which provides access to restrictions to the growth in experience their benefits directly. mastclimber availability is the and quality, growing even wider upper floor windows. A range of duties amount of support and back-up as Chinese-built machines become One platform or two? they require. It is not a piece As mentioned at the beginning available. However most established Double stacking platforms on of equipment that can just be mastclimbers are relatively simple rental companies/mastclimbing the same mast or masts is also hired out - there has to be an machines, however given their wide contractors are not tempted because possible but often not as appealing approved design, and erection variety of applications they are used the cost saving can be quickly eaten as it might at first seem. Not a and dismantling by trained for, from bricklaying and cladding up by poor quality and reliability. common sight it can only be used operatives. This is also true of to painting and fixing windows - The following three job stories on relatively tall buildings where traditional scaffold, but a substantial several types are available, including illustrate a range of solutions found different trades are working at infrastructure and industry is already heavy, medium and light duty. The to carry out specific tasks. There different levels at the same time. in place and ready to compete with difference in ‘duty’ indicates the is often far more than one solution However, platforms must be at least anyone looking to muscle in with platform capacity that each can for a project but sadly too many three metres apart and the lower mastclimbers. handle, particularly when heavy contractors stick with the method that deck must have protection from materials such as bricks are stacked Mastclimbers are more popular in they have always used rather than falling materials from above. Add in on the platform. certain regions and countries. North risk trying something new. As with how you get materials to the upper America has always been keen, As in many industries there is also all equipment choices, an open mind platform and often there are more with a strong tendency towards all a wide variety in purchase price may well be the best way forward. 36 cranes & access February 2016 BroganBrogan atat c&a mastclimbers BatterseaBattersea UK based Brogan Group is currently providing an all-encompassing access solution incorporating mastclimbers, scaffolding and goods/passenger hoists on Phase 1 of the Battersea Power Station development on London’s south bank. Circus West, designed by erected to follow the line of the Simpson Haugh Architects and building. As standard mast ties Mastclimbers and hoists at de Rijke Marsh Morgan, consists would have interfered with the fixing Battersea Power Station of two blocks - known as RS-1A of the glazing and copper façade and RS-1B - which include a panels, specially fabricated brackets contractor which works well with mix of 866 apartments including that rake down to the top of the other contractors to achieve project 11 penthouses, retail facilities, balcony locations were designed success.” theatre space and business and installed as an alternative. Brogan’s design and fabrication studios. The blocks vary in height Brogan has also supplied 17 hoists team has provided innovative from eight storeys at the southern to feed both RS-1A and RS-1B solutions compared to conventional end of the site to 18 storeys at the blocks. The hoists tie into the systems, with significant north and are built on a podium recessed fissures in the staggered programme enhancements and cost with two levels of basement buildings enabling works to continue savings thanks to the combination parking. on the surrounding facades.

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