St. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL
 The Main Dome of St Paul's Cathedral required close investigation in order to determine the most appropriate restoration methods. A suspended scaffolding structure was erected some 240ft above the Cathedral floor to enable restoration specialists to gain tactile access to the surface of the Dome. |
ALPS were asked to design a lifting / lowering solution that
would ensure the suspended scaffolding could be lowered to ground level and
removed from the Cathedral in one night. Each hoist was protected by an
independent safety rope and safety devise. The "Roped Access"
operatives travelled down with the scaffolding whilst remaining attached to
independent safety lines at all times. As the full weight of the scaffolding was supported by the rim of the Dome four special digital read out strain gauges were manufactured to replace the anchor pins of all hoists used during the delicate operation, these ensured real- time information on the total suspended load and individual loads being handled by the hoists. |
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Roped Access Operatives carefully cut the suspension arms first ensuring
the full load is securely transferred to the installed hoists.
Strain gauges are used to monitor critical loadings. Before the 40 year old gantry could be removed, the new Access System was first raised into position and commissioned. A select team of five operatives supervised by a level three "Roped Access Technician" safely carried out the installation of the new followed by the removal of the old gantry within the two week period allocated. |
 Old gantry on way DOWN. |
 New Gantry on way UP. |
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Three industrial Roped Access Technicians travelled down with the old
gantry in order to control the lifting machines and back up safety devices.
4 No. Hydraulic Linear winch and 4 No. Secondary safety devices (8x 16
mm Steel wire ropes in all) were used.
An onboard Hydraulic power pack c/w control values powered the hoists. |
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During the refurbishment of St Enoch's
the main mall wall required the removal of some 60Tons of wall mounted planters,
each with a self weight of 250Kgs. ALPS Industrial Abseilers, aided by the installation of a 14M powered suspended access platform and portable hoist, carried out this difficult access application within the time frame allocated. All work was carried out at night. |
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