Access and lifting
We are experts in the design and analysis of a wide range of access and lifting equipment. This has ranged from specialist bridge access gantries and industrial access solutions through to high integrity lifting equipment for the nuclear sector. This breadth of experience, combined with our knowledge of the legal and statutory requirements within the sector means we are able to help clients from concept design through to on site installation and testing.
We have also developed access solutions for the manufacturing sector. These have involved developing novel systems to enable access to awkward shaped components or spaces during the build process of a product. They have also included systems that can actively change shape during a build process and adapt to suit, removing the need for multiple static platforms. This has reduced the required factory space for our clients as well as number of times a product is moved during its build.
We have designed a number of different bridge access gantries for both permanent and temporary use. These are typically used to provide safe man access to difficult to reach locations. This has included the design of specialist ‘cable crawler’ gantries used for the inspection of cables on suspension bridges. This style of gantry has reduced the time required to carry out the work, typically halving it. We were also involved in the design of the temporary gantries used for the construction of the Queensferry Crossing in Scotland.
We have produced a short guide to bridge access platforms and gantries that can be found here.
Our knowledge and experience enables us to work with a number of different design standards and codes as well as the statutory requirements such as CE Marking and meeting the requirements of the Machineries Directive. We have taken a number of powered access gantries through the process of obtaining a CE mark with a notified body. Our ability to take designs from concept through to detail manufacturing drawings as well as assisting our clients through manufacture, inspection, testing and installation ensures that a safe solution is ultimately used on site.
We have also provided independent assessment and verification of existing designs acting as a third party or category 3 (CAT 3) checker. In all instances we ensure that the design complies with any relevant legislation, such BS EN 1808, BS 5974, BS EN 13155, BS 2573 and BS EN 13001. Also applicable are the Machineries Directive, LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations).
