Safety is key to installing plant equipment

To ensure the safe, effective and efficient transfer of plant equipment into the basement energy room of a new residential tower block in London, a major construction project appointed Hoist & Winch Ltd as its supplier of turnkey lifting equipment for this technically challenging brief.

Many new tower block development projects face a common challenge: how to install large, heavy pieces of equipment into the building’s energy centre, typically located in the basement. Specifying the optimal hoists is paramount to project success. Fortunately, the subcontractor supplying and installing the energy room’s plant for this project knew where to turn for a turnkey lifting solution: Hoist & Winch Ltd.

Hoist & Winch has extensive experience in all kinds of construction and industrial lifting applications. The company offers sales, installation, service, inspection, repair and hire services, with a special emphasis on project work. Supplying the optimal solution, with safety as the number one priority, is always the objective.

During the design phase, after formal tender and contract award, Hoist & Winch set about identifying the optimal solution by carefully assessing the specific lifting requirements. The project required the installation of hoists on both the upper and lower ground floor levels to ensure the successful lifting and transfer of large energy plant. It was clear from the outset that the solution would need to overcome the issue of very tight headroom clearances due to the size of the equipment.

After thoroughly considering all aspects of the project, Hoist & Winch Ltd was able to put forward its proposal, recommending two William Hacket low-headroom manual hoists, both with a hand-geared trolley. Offering a safe working load (SWL) of 2.5t each, the hoists provide 8m of lifting height and run on beam lengths of 8.5m and 7m.

Hoist & Winch duly submitted its design proposal, including drawings and structural calculations, for approval by engineers at the main contractor. Following approval, the company commenced manufacture before delivery to site.

During the installation phase, Hoist & Winch tested the installation anchor points to 1t before raising each beam into position using hand chain blocks. Elevating the beams to full height and clamping them hard against the concrete ceiling ready for drilling required the use of special lifting rigs. Once in position, the company proceeded with drilling operations and resin anchor installation for all ceiling anchor points after meticulously cleaning each hole with a special heavy-duty internal brush and suction pump. Following the specified resin curing time, Hoist & Winch tightened each anchor bolt to the required torque levels.

LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) inspection of the lifting beams and manual chain hoist units was the final operation. This activity included dynamic load testing of both beam lengths with a 2.5t skid-mounted test load followed by 125% static proof load test in accordance with BS 2853 2011. As a point of note, following customer handover, the hoists were to remain in place for use by the on-site maintenance team.

“We provided the client with a comprehensive project records and documentation package upon completion of works, which is standard practice,” says Hoist & Winch director Andy Allen. “We then went through the handover process to ensure total peace of mind for our client. At Hoist & Winch, our focus is on ensuring customers benefit from our exceptionally knowledgeable team who never fail to deliver on their promise of providing a detailed and proficient approach to every project.”