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- The Galleries Shopping Centre, Washington
The Galleries Shopping Centre, Washington
Expertises
Safety Circle steps used in this project
The Client
The Galleries Shopping Centre in Washington, UK, is a busy retail destination committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for shoppers, staff and those responsible for maintaining the building.
As part of an ongoing programme to enhance its facilities, The Galleries required a robust access solution that would allow maintenance teams to safely and efficiently reach difficult areas across the centre’s extensive glazed roof.
Eurosafe, working in partnership with specialist gantry manufacturer NorAcon, was tasked with designing, installing and commissioning a bespoke travelling gantry system to meet these requirements.
The requirements
The key challenge was the scale and complexity of the roof.
The Galleries required a highly specialised, long-span travelling gantry capable of operating seamlessly across the large glazed area. The system needed to provide sufficient access for both general and specialist roof maintenance, while being durable, straightforward to operate and designed to minimise disruption to the shopping centre’s day-to-day activities.
Delivering a system of this scale required a high level of accuracy throughout the surveying, design, engineering and installation stages.
The solutions
Eurosafe was selected to lead the project based on our experience in designing and installing specialist safety and access systems for large commercial properties.
Working alongside NorAcon, a world-renowned manufacturer with decades of experience in producing high-quality gantries, the team developed a bespoke solution that pushed the boundaries of conventional gantry design.
Developing the Access Strategy
The initial brief was to provide suitable access for both general and specialised roof maintenance.
Following an assessment of the requirements, Eurosafe proposed a manually powered travelling gantry running along rails. Hatches incorporated into the gantry floor would provide convenient access to the areas below, creating a practical and efficient solution for ongoing maintenance.
Surveying and Utilising the Existing Structure
To minimise disruption and reduce costs for the client, the design made use of the building’s existing structural steelwork to support the new gantry.
Specialist 3D surveying techniques were used to accurately assess the as-built condition of the steelwork. This detailed information enabled the project team to develop a solution that integrated effectively with the existing structure and provided the accuracy required for fabrication and installation.
Bespoke Gantry Design
Advanced 3D CAD software was used to design the gantry and coordinate the different elements of the project.
This enabled engineers, fabricators and installers to work efficiently from accurate design information, helping to ensure the finished system met the required standards for safety, performance and functionality.
Installation
Installation began with the careful positioning and setup of a crane. Detailed planning was required to allow the lifting operation to be completed safely and effectively within the constraints of the shopping centre.
Once the crane was in position, lifting equipment was securely rigged to the gantry in preparation for the main lift.
The gantry was then lifted from ground level and carefully positioned above the designated glazed roof area. Combining specialist lifting equipment with the experience of the installation team allowed this complex operation to be completed safely and accurately.
With the gantry in place, Eurosafe’s engineers fitted the wheelboxes required for the system to travel smoothly and reliably along its supporting rails. These components are integral to the long-term operation and durability of the finished system.
The Outcome
The completed travelling gantry is now fully operational, providing efficient maintenance access across the shopping centre’s glazed areas.
Its bespoke design enables maintenance teams to reach previously difficult-to-access locations while allowing the system to operate smoothly with minimal disruption to the activities below.
Significantly, the project resulted in the longest travelling gantry of its kind ever manufactured by NorAcon, with few comparable systems of this scale found anywhere in the world.
As Eurosafe Design Manager David Smith explained:
This is the longest travelling gantry of its kind ever manufactured by NorAcon. There aren't many similar examples in the world. This really puts into perspective what we’ve achieved here - something to be very proud of.
Conclusion
The Galleries project demonstrates Eurosafe’s ability to manage complex access challenges from initial concept and surveying through to detailed design, installation and commissioning.
By combining specialist 3D surveying and design technology with the existing building structure and NorAcon’s gantry manufacturing expertise, Eurosafe delivered a bespoke solution on an exceptional scale.
The finished system provides The Galleries with a durable, practical and efficient means of maintaining its extensive glazed roof areas, supporting the safe management of the building for years to come.
Applied Solutions and Services
For more information about this project please contact...
Luke Stevenson
Head of Projects
