Project Overview
Our client, tasked with the re-roofing, insulation, and cladding of three high-rise blocks at Park Towers, commissioned The Hoist People to provide a flexible hoisting solution. This significant project required a reliable and customised goods hoist system to support both the scaffolding contractors and the subsequent cladding and insulation work.
The project at Park Towers involved three tower blocks, each undergoing extensive refurbishment, including re-roofing and the reinstatement of cladding that had been removed by a previous contractor. The hoists were required to aid in scaffolding installation, material handling, and the insulation process. With an expected project duration of just under a year, the goods hoists needed to be adaptable, safe, and capable of handling heavy loads across the various stages of the project.
Challenges Faced
The Park Towers project presented several unique challenges, necessitating bespoke hoisting solutions and close collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
- Limited Space and Load Restrictions: The site posed a logistical challenge due to the presence of a car park beneath the main road where materials would be delivered. Special attention had to be paid to point loadings from the lorries unloading materials, ensuring that the weight didn’t impact the car park structure below.
- Custom Panel and Scaffold Requirements: The client requested custom modifications to the front panels of the hoist doors to ensure full-height coverage. This was necessary to eliminate any risk of materials being blown or falling out during transit. In addition, bespoke scaffold racks were needed to assist three different scaffold contractors with their work.
- Synchronising with Scaffold Contractors: With three different scaffold contractors involved—Alltask Scaffolding, Kent County Access, and Masons Scaffolding—coordination was critical. The scaffolders relied on the goods hoist to build up four floors at a time. This required regular hoist adjustments to match the pace of scaffolding, enabling fast and safe progress on the project.
Proposed Solutions
To meet these challenges, The Hoist People proposed a combination of bespoke hoisting configurations and careful planning to ensure smooth operations across all stages of the project.- Customised Goods Hoist Panels: In response to the client’s request, we worked closely with our engineering team to design and install full-height front panels on the hoist doors. This customisation ensured that no materials could fall out, meeting safety requirements and giving the client peace of mind during heavy material handling.
- Bespoke Scaffold Racks: To aid the scaffolders in their installation process, we equipped the goods hoists with custom scaffold racks capable of holding large quantities of scaffolding tubes and boards. This enabled the contractors to build up to four floors at a time, after which we extended the hoist to match their progress. The inclusion of these racks allowed the scaffolding teams to reduce manual handling and accelerate their build schedule.
- Ramp Configuration Adjustments: To accommodate the scaffold openings, we reconfigured the goods hoist ramps, reducing the required opening from 4 metres down to just 2 metres. This modification ensured that the hoist integrated seamlessly with the scaffolding, making it easier for the contractors to work around the hoist without compromising space or safety.
- Coordinated Scheduling with Sacffold Contractors: We worked closely with the scaffold contractors to ensure that the hoist was always ready when needed. By synchronising with their build schedule, we were able to maintain a fast pace of construction, building up the hoist four floors at a time. This flexibility and collaboration helped the scaffolders cut several weeks off their overall programme.
Results
Despite the complex nature of the project, The Hoist People’s bespoke solutions enabled efficient and safe progress across all three blocks at Park Towers. Below are the key results:- Efficient Hoist Installation and Material Handling: The goods hoists were successfully installed, helping to support both the scaffolding and subsequent material handling stages. The custom scaffold racks played a vital role in reducing manual labour, allowing the contractors to lift heavy materials such as scaffolding components and cladding quickly and safely.
- Accelerated Scaffolding Programme: By incorporating custom scaffold racks and working in synchronisation with the scaffolders, the scaffolding contractors were able to reduce their overall programme by three to four weeks. This was a direct result of the goods hoist’s ability to streamline the transport of scaffolding materials, reducing the need for manual handling and expediting the build process.
- Safe and Compliant Custom Hoist Configuration: The full-height door panels installed on the goods hoists ensured that all materials were securely transported without risk of falling out. This bespoke safety feature was particularly appreciated by the client, as it enhanced site safety and complied with stringent safety regulations.
- Positive Feedback from Contractors: The feedback from the contractors was overwhelmingly positive, particularly from Masons Scaffolding. Initially sceptical about the scaffold racks, the scaffolders soon realised their efficiency and requested more frequent hoist adjustments, enabling them to work in smaller, more manageable sections and further speeding up their work.
By providing a tailored goods hoist solution for the Park Towers project, The Hoist People were able to support the scaffolding and construction contractors through every stage of the project. Our ability to customise the hoist configuration, coordinate effectively with the site team, and maintain safety and efficiency throughout ensured that the project was completed ahead of schedule and to the satisfaction of all involved. This project unitised the GEDA 1500Z/ZP-ED.
