Tower Access Painting Platform
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In order to paint the 512ft towers and cross bracings of the Forth Road
Bridge a bespoke Engineered Suspended Access system was required.
ALPS UK won the contract to design , supply , install and maintain a custom engineered "Beeche" 3D Truss Frame Modular Access Platform. The engineers requirements were to supply a mobile Suspended Access system c/w perimeter containment to enable the bridges own painting team to carry out the work |
| The platform system was initially delivered to the concrete
protection barrier below the South Tower in four 20ft containers.
The Steel 3D "Beeche" Truss Frames were assembled to the drawings to form two "Leg Platforms" and two "Portal Platforms" |
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Once assembled each Leg Platform was raised into place and completed to
form a wrap-around Leg Access Platform with a working width
of 1.22M.
Each Portal Platform was then raised into place and equipped with removable filler panels. The high speed feeder platforms were then installed ensuring rapid access to the main suspended working platform for operatives and materials. |
TAY RAILWAY BRIDGE:
Underdeck Access
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The Tay Railway Bridge was re constructed in
1887 spanning almost 2 miles across the "Silvery Tay" The bridge recently required strengthening works and Railtrack placed an order with the main contractor to carry out the work. ACCESS was the key to this project and the main contractor chose ALPS UK to work with them. Access to the underside of the bridge and to many of the water based piers was carried out using bespoke Suspended Access Systems designed for the task in hand. |
| At the start of the project three alloy
BEECHE space frame bridge access platforms were assembled on a nearby
quayside; Each platform ~12M X 11M. Once assembled each platform was equipped with Compressor and Generator. Auxiliary scaffolding, burning, welding & riveting equipment was also placed onto the platform. The completed platforms were then placed onto a barge & one at a time the platforms transported to the desired bay and raised into place. The assembly and installation process taking approximately one week, the installation time from barge to bridge taking a few hours only. |
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Once placed onto the awaiting barge each platform could
be placed anywhere on the bridge at a moments notice. All Lifting Equipment and Secondary Safety Equipment was transported with the platform to the next location. ALPS Roped Access operatives carried out all inspections, maintenance tasks and moves throughout the duration of the project. |
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Beeche /ALPS under-deck Bridge Access Platforms shown installed on the North of the bridge at the beginning of the project. |
 The Beeche / ALPS platform is raised from the barge and attached to the outer girders of the bridge using special chain hangers. The move from bay to bay taking a few hours only. |
TAY RAILWAY BRIDGE
Pier Access
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Once work was underway with the main
under-deck access platforms the contractor asked ALPS to assist with a pier
access system that would be quick to supply, install and equally important
move from location to location. ALPS designed, using standard Beeche 3D truss frame modules complemented by custom engineered components, a series of powered wrap-around suspended access platforms. |
| The Steel 3D truss frame platforms were
constructed in two halves and transported by barge to the required pier. Each half platform was attached to the bridges outer girders using special girder clamps, the platform half was then raised and drifted into place. The second half was installed in the same way and the two platform halves joined together to form one wrap around powered access system. |
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Once in place the platform offered total access to the
entire pier at the touch of a button. The platform travels at a vertical speed of ~5mpm and is controlled by two operatives. In order to gain access to the underside of the "arch" a removable travelling bridge section was installed between the two platform halves. ALPS site operatives moved the platform from pier to pier within a few hours only. |
Skye Bridge:
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The Skye Bridge required a
principle inspection to confirm it was standing up to the harsh Scottish
environment as expected.
The Skye Bridge required a principle inspection to confirm it was standing up to the harsh Scottish environment as expected. ALPS were invited to offer an Access solution that would enable the engineers to gain tactile Access to all external areas of the concrete structure. Due to the location of the bridge a discrete Access system & method of work was a prerequisite. ALPS designed, supplied a bespoke Suspended Access System and managed the equipment throughout the inspection period, working from one side of the bridge to the other with no disruption to the bridge or surrounding area. |
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The Taney Bridge is a newly constructed
Cable Stayed structure designed to expand Dublin's light railway system. The designers and main contractor required a safe and efficient Pylon Access Platform to enable Access to the top of the concrete structure for inspection and maintenance activities. The contract to design, install & commission the Pylon Access System was awarded to ALPS UK.....The solution comprises of a 1M sq. Powered Access Platform supported from installed suspension jibs at the top of the pylon. Rigging is carried out by a system of diverter pulleys and rigging ropes. The Powered Access Platform is attached by a special traveller to a twin SS guide wire passing over the intermediate restraints as it climbs. |
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This new "Bow String Bridge" was constructed along side the existing railway bridge. Both main longitudinal girders were equipped permanent runway beams. ALPS UK designed, installed and managed a special Access and Handling system that would accept the new 7 Ton cross girders and transport them to the installation location over the river. Load indicators were fitted to all hoists to monitor loads during all activities. The platform would then lift the beam into place to be fixed returning for the next beam at 9mpm. All cross girders were quickly installed in this way and the bridge "slid" into place on time. |
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The ORWELL BRIDGE required total access to all
piers, under-deck surfaces & central soffit in order to inspect, assess and
repair the concrete. ALPS supplied a
large Beeche/ALPS alloy space Bridge Access Platform that could span the
entire bridge width, some 27M. |
Orwell Bridge:
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 Following the success of the previous Underdeck Access application ALPS UK were awarded the contract to design, supply and manage a series of pier and bearing Access Platforms. These platforms were designed to be capable of transporting Jacks, Old Bearings and New Bearings to the top of each pier. All bearings were quickly replaced with minimum disruption to the bridge using this Engineered Access System |
Bridge Blasting & Painting Platforms:
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All Beeche /ALPS Space & Truss Frame Bridge Access Platforms can be equipped with perimeter containment systems & integral hoppers to assist with spent shot handling. |
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The Beeche / ALPS Bridge Access Platform shown spans the
full width of this motorway bridge, some 46M. Hinged sections allow the platform to pass all piers without the need to strip and erect. Integral hoppers and containment systems are added for blasting & painting applications. |
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The Kincardine Bride is shown equipped with an Alloy Beeche Space Frame Bridge Access Platform. A custom containment system was installed to enable blasting and painting works to be carried out. ALPS, Beeche Systems agents for the UK, supplied site supervision and special access operatives to carry out moves around piers enabling the painting contractor to concentrate of the job in hand. |
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