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Showcase
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The Shard
Southwark, London, UK |
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When it came to the construction of Europe’s tallest building, the Shard, the safety of operatives on site was of paramount importance – especially considering that at higher levels the building would be subjected to winds of up to 160km/h. With a wealth of knowledge and experience having worked on some of the tallest buildings in the world, Combisafe International, the leading provider of safety at height solutions, demonstrated they had the ability to meet the challenge by engineering a bespoke temporary edge protection solution.
Designed by architect Renzo Piano, who worked with architects Broadway Malyan during the planning stage of the project, the Shard is being built by main contractor Mace. Once completed in 2012, it will be the tallest building in the European Union. Standing at 1,017ft tall, it will have 72 floors plus 15 further radiator floors in the roof. The building has been designed with an irregular triangular shape from the base to the top and will be clad entirely in glass. The viewing gallery and open-air observation deck will be on the 72nd floor.
With safety an absolute priority, Combisafe took the initiative to approach Mace and steel erector Severfield-Reeve Structure at planning stage to suggest an innovative approach to building in temporary edge protection for the building – the integration of the temporary edge protection within the steel detailing.
With requirements to provide protection of the workforce whilst minimising crane lifts to ensure rapid construction progress, as well as the unique complexity of the building, it soon became apparent that a completely new system solution for edge protection would be required. |
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With requirements to provide protection of the workforce whilst minimising crane lifts to ensure rapid construction progress, as well as the unique complexity of the building, it soon became apparent that a completely new system solution for edge protection would be required.
With a brief to design a solution that could be lifted into place with the building’s perimeter beams, to eliminate the need for installation at height, Combisafe’s team of engineers started work on devising a solution. As well as being integrated into the structural beams, the system also had to have minimal weight and wind load. It also had to be flexible, offer a simple guard rail to a range of bay widths whilst utilising very few components, whilst able to support a mesh panel and infill for full height containment and allow operatives to work through the system to install the cladding brackets. Finally it had to accommodate a range of floor thicknesses with an installation and removal that would be fast, efficient and require no tools on the edge of the building.
Taking all of these requirements into consideration, and working closely with Mace and Severfield-Reeve Structure throughout the development process, Combisafe engineered a bespoke solution. A triple guard rail that is fitted into pre-welded sockets on the structural beams, the system enables the integration of temporary edge protection at ground level. Once fitted it is simply craned into place along with the steelwork. A close fitting containment system that does not restrict access to the edge of the building, once in position the system can be adapted to a full height, close-fitting, containment solution, whilst not restricting access to the edge. |
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Featuring minimal components and offering fast installation and removal, whilst providing the utmost of safety for operatives working within the site, the bespoke engineering further demonstrates Combisafe’s ability to meet even the most challenging of project requirements.
As part of the project, Combisafe also provided its Maxi fans, to offer fall protection, and Loading System. Due to the nature of the project, Combisafe adapted its Maxi Fans to withstand the extreme high winds. The Combisafe Loading System, used to provide loading and unloading of flat bed vehicles in confined spaces, was also adapted to enable it to be fixed to the building’s steel columns.
By providing innovative solutions that safeguard the welfare of operatives working on such a groundbreaking project, Combisafe has yet again demonstrated its position as clear market leader in the provision of safety at height solutions. |
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