QuikDeck Suspended Access system

1. Selecting the Best Solution for Access Challenges in the Air,
Around Curves, in Tight Corners and Underneath Structures
Executive Summary
Situation
Economic factors have prompted industrial and commercial construction companies
to work with smaller budgets and tighter project timelines; while scaffolding and
access challenges under bridges, inside boilers and separation vessels, offshore, and
in/around buildings have continued to increase. Suspended access solutions can often
be used to effectively address design and structural issues and offer a higher degree
of efficiency, saving both time and money. However, choosing the best solution for a
specific application is not always easy.
Challenge
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are
eight types of suspended access available. Sometimes a simple, cost-effective system
can provide needed access, but seeking a solution based on cost alone is likely to
backfire. Inexpensive suspended access solutions can be time-consuming to erect, may
provide an unstable working platform, are not usually offered in combination with
other access equipment, such as supported scaffolding and hoists, and ultimately could
compromise safety. In addition, working with a company that provides a suspended
access system, without the necessary experience, engineering, training and support to
safely and optimally utilize the equipment, could be equally disastrous.
Solution
Understanding what types of suspended products are available and the differences
between them is key to selecting the optimum solution for a specific application.
Experience has shown that multi-point access systems with rigid platforms are
consistently outperforming other solutions. In addition, choosing to work with a
comprehensive access solutions company, which has the background, knowledge,
labor, management, equipment and skills to efficiently and safely take projects from
start to finish, is also essential to the successful use of any suspended access products.
Safely and optimally utilize the equipment, could be equally disastrous.
Suspended Access Systems Whitepaper | Featured product: QuikDeck® | Words: 3267; Pages: 14
Working with Suspended Access Systems

2. Suspended Access
Overview
Many structures in the
commercial and industrial
markets consist of unique
shapes requiring specialty
access solutions. Suspended
scaffolding is a great asset for
difficult-to-reach locations and
elevations; however several
factors need to be considered
before pursuing this route.
There are numerous products
to choose from; not all are
suitable for every application.
Suspended scaffold solutions
can also be dangerous when
not used correctly without the
proper safety equipment and
training.
According to the Occupational
Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), eight
types of suspended access
are available: Two-Point
(swing stage), Single-Point
Adjustable, Catenary, Multi-
Point Adjustable, Interior
Hung, Needle Beam, Multi-
Level, and Float (ship). Each
of these access solutions has
its own OSHA regulations and
guidelines, which must be
followed.
Eight Types of Suspended Scaffold
To review corresponding OSHA regulations, go to www.osha.gov and search through the website’s Construction eTools.
Suspended Scaffold Type Product Description and Use
Two-Point (Swing Stage) Usually used by window washers, or for high-rise construction, this is the most common
suspended scaffolding. A platform is suspended by ropes or cables connected to
stirrups at each end of the platform.
Single-Point Adjustable Window washers and single-worker projects utilize this type of scaffold. This smaller
platform is suspended by using only one rope or cable.
Catenary Bridges and offshore rigs are frequent users of this type of scaffold. Catenary scaffold
consists of a platform supported by two horizontal and parallel ropes attached to
structural members of a building or structure.
Multi-Point Adjustable Chimney hoists, bridges, construction, and other specialty projects use this type of
scaffolding. A platform is supported by multiple suspension points from an overhead
connection. (See diagram below showing multi-point suspended access solution with
rigid platform.)
Interior Hung Used for internal work on structures, this interior-hung scaffold consists of a platform
that is suspended from a roof or ceiling by fixed-length supports.
Needle Beam Steel structures and riveting gangs are two big users of this type of scaffold. Needle
beam suspended scaffold consists of a platform that is suspended from needle beams
and usually attached on one end to a permanent structural member.
Multi-Level Often used by window washers and construction sites, the multi-level suspended
scaffolding consists of either two-point or multi-point adjustable suspended scaffolding
with a series of platforms placed at various levels resting on common stirrups.
Float (ship) A float, or ship, scaffold is a suspended scaffold used for many types of industries. This
suspended scaffold consists of a braced platform resting on two parallel bearers and
hung from overhead by ropes of fixed length.
Building suspended scaffolding has the potential to be time-consuming and possibly dangerous, if not done
correctly. When reviewing product information, both ease of erection and dismantling should also be taken into
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3. Building suspended scaffolding has
the potential to be time-consuming
and possibly dangerous, if not
done correctly. When reviewing
product information, both ease of
erection and dismantling should
also be taken into consideration.
In addition, you will want to
compare suspended access
products with flexible decking
versus rigid platforms. Inexpensive
suspended access solutions
providers often utilize low-cost
flexible platforms to reduce price.
These platforms are typically
made of galvanized roof deck
or chain link materials. Flexible
platforms provide a surface that
can be difficult to work on and
hard to maneuver equipment
across. In addition they can be
time-consuming to erect, do
not facilitate use in multiple
applications and are not usually
offered in combination with other
access solutions products, such as
supported scaffolding and/or hoists.
The cost to build ground-supported
scaffold gets more expensive as
working elevations increase because
supported scaffolding is three-
dimensional (length, height and
width) while suspended scaffolding is
two-dimensional (length and width).
This means that ground supported
scaffolds require more material to reach
greater elevations, while suspended
scaffolds utilize the same amount of
equipment, regardless of elevation.
When projects require work to be done
at a specified location, high off the
ground, suspended scaffold provides
an efficient, cost-saving solution.
Multi-Point Suspended
Access Systems with
Rigid Platforms
Multi-point suspended access scaffold
with rigid platforms provides a stable
work surface and has been used to
address multiple access challenges
with a high degree of efficiency. These
modular platforms are designed for
easy installation to save on labor, can
be “built in the air” to save time and
“leapfrogged” to reduce equipment
costs. Leap-frogging is the process of
removing material from one end to
be used at the other. Leap-frogging
uses less material and can increase
project profitability. In addition,
by using a cantilevered system
with rigid platforms, erectors can
assemble a product more safely.
When engineered, multi-point
suspended access systems can be
designed to withstand high loads at
a 4:1 ratio, span over large areas,
fit unique shapes and be combined
with other access solutions, such
as supported scaffolding. Rigid
platforms provide safe barriers
between the area where work is
performed and anything below.
Properly trained, laborers can safely
function at high elevations, allowing
multiple trades to operate side-by-
side with a high degree of efficiency,
uninhibited by any restriction of
what may be below the platform.
This valuable access solution can
be configured to meet the needs
of many applications in both the
commercial and industrial industries.
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4. Commercial Applications
Bridges
Many bridges within the United States are nearing
retirement age with almost one-third of the 600,000
bridges already exceeding their expected lifespan of 50
years. Maintenance is in high demand, while funding
is low. Bridge maintenance usually requires work to
be done underneath the bridge – which is over water,
other roads, railroads or other non-ground accessible
areas. Occasionally, though, work needs to be
performed above traffic (on archway bridges) without
disrupting traffic flow. Due to the nature of the locations
where the work is to be performed, the potential for
high costs and large project timelines is significant.
Suspended access solutions are the preferred system
used to perform maintenance and repair on these
difficult-to-reach areas on bridges. One frequently
used suspended access solution on bridge projects has
been catenary systems. Catenary suspended scaffolds
are commonly built by attaching cables horizontally to
bridge anchors, and vertically from under the deck of
the bridge. Once the cables have been placed, platforms
that are built out of galvanized roof deck or chain link
materials are laid across the working surface area.
The platforms of these catenary systems are flexible,
creating a work surface that constantly bows when
stepped upon. Without rigid surfaces to walk on, work
is slowed because labor and materials cannot easily
move across the surface of the system.
Multi-point suspended access systems with rigid
platforms have been consistently out-performing
catenary systems on bridge projects. Advantages
include easier and safer installation and dismantle, as
well as a reliable, level work surface. In addition, these
systems can be engineered to closely fit the curves of
virtually any bridge design.
I-430 Bridge Project
Two side-by-side bridges connect Little Rock with North Little Rock across the Arkansas River. Sections of
concrete piping each 40 feet long and weighing almost 7,000 pounds, needed to be installed under the
bridge to serve as water lines. In the past, to complete such an enormous task, contractors would use
cranes and barges. This meant that the pipe was hoisted by crane from a barge, installed by work crews,
and then finally inspected, one section at a time.
When presented with this challenge, Safway Services, the access company for the project, engineered a
multi-point suspended access solution with a rigid platform to provide a flat “factory floor” surface that
enabled workers to hoist and install the pipeline, while inspectors followed closely behind. The pipeline
no longer needed to be added section by section with a crane and barge. Using a suspended access
solution with a rigid platform sped up productivity by more than 35 percent creating significant savings.
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5. Specialty Commercial Structures:
Atriums, Domes, Aquatic Centers,
Airports and More
Specialty commercial structures often
require a customized approach. Usually
heavily trafficked, these facilities can
prove to be costly to maintain and repair
– especially when the structure’s main
use is interrupted in the process. If the
maintenance work or repair requires
supported scaffolding to be erected to reach
high elevations within a structure, erection
and disassembly of the scaffold can prove
to be disruptive to regular activities at the
location. Multi-point suspended scaffolding
with rigid platforms can offer a safe and
effective means of providing work surfaces
for repairs well above any regular activities,
without the interruption of a structure’s use.
Catenary suspended scaffolds cannot
be easily adjusted or configured to fit
commercial structures other than bridges
due in large part to the installation
techniques. Installing catenary scaffolding
on commercial projects would be next
to impossible without tying into the
structure horizontally. In addition, the
flexible platforms, such as chain-link
material, would not be an effective barrier
to keep pedestrians and others below
the work surface safe. They also do not
lend themselves to material movement or
support the use of traditional scaffold on top
of the deck.
Madison Square Garden Renovation
Madison Square Garden, which takes up most of two city blocks in the heart of Manhattan in New York
City, is host to numerous top-name events. Due for extensive renovations and upgrades, this unique
structure required a customized approach to access. While some areas were able to tolerate a supported
scaffold structure, often crews needed to work at elevated levels within the structure, while not disturbing
the flow of business on lower levels. In addition, the floor of the arena had to be protected. The access
company for the job engineered a combination of supported and suspended scaffolds together with
several unique custom solutions to enable all work to be performed with a high degree of efficiency.
A key challenge on the project was creating access on top of Penn Station, which is situated underneath
Madison Square Garden and serves as a major New York City transportation hub. Workers needed to
access areas of the arena above, while not disrupting the busy Amtrak station below. A suspended access
system provided the perfect solution. A 15,000-square-foot platform was put in place and in use for over
a year. Due to this innovative use of a suspended access system, the Amtrak station was able to operate
safely without any interruptions, while construction and renovation work was performed above.
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6. Zinc Roaster Dome Access Challenge
When Nyrstar, a leading global multi-metals company, needed
access to a 43-foot-wide by 71-foot-tall zinc smelting roaster dome,
in Clarksville, Tenn., their primary concern was worker safety. To
make the necessary renovations on the roaster dome, which was
expected to add another 30 years to the lifespan of the roaster,
the refractory brick that lines the dome – brick that is capable of
withstanding high temperatures – had to be replaced. After 33 years
of enduring temperatures as high as 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit,
Nyrstar safety officials didn’t want workers directly under the
65-pound bricks during renovation, for fear they could collapse.
Knowing this at the start of the project, the access company for the
project used a modular platform access system. This allowed all
work to be performed from above instead of below the dome. The
access solution involved cutting a hole
into the top of the structure, and then
lowering a small, circular starter platform.
From this platform, the bricks around
the leading edge were removed. As the
bricks were cleared away, making the
space larger, the platform was expanded
to provide additional access. In total, the
platform grew to 40 feet in diameter.
University of Virginia
Aquatic Center
Built over 15 years ago, the University of Virginia
Aquatic Center is home to an Olympic-sized pool
– approximately 50 meters by 25 yards. Access
to the entire ceiling was required when the air
handling system needed repairs. Safway Services,
the access company hired by the contractor,
installed a work platform utilizing 22,000 square
feet of QuikDeck®, a suspended access system,
and 8,000 square feet of Systems™ Scaffold. This
allowed multiple tradespeople to operate side-
by-side and access the ceiling, without needing to
drain the pool, which would have been necessary
for a traditional scaffold structure.
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7. Industrial Applications
Power Generation Facilities
Power generation facilities – coal dust
combustion boilers, nuclear power plants,
hydroelectric dams and thermal stations –
include an array of unique structures that
demand regular maintenance, repair and
updating. These projects, which can range
from a concentrated job in a targeted area to
a full shutdown and turnaround, are usually
performed under strict deadlines, with tight
budgets and require a workforce that has
industry-specific knowledge and experience.
In addition, the Department of Energy (DOE),
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
OSHA, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),
all oversee policy and regulation for power
generation facilities and have guidelines that
must be followed.
Coal dust combustion boilers are prime
examples. These boilers contain numerous large
tubes that carry thousands of pounds of water,
that when heated turns into steam. Over time
the tubes erode and need repair, and the shape
of these boiler structures and spaces often
require unique access solutions. Many times
supported scaffolding is built up inside the
boiler. Increasingly, however, suspended access
solutions have been safely used to reduce
downtime and cost. This is especially true when
work only needs to be performed at the upper
levels of the boiler.
Boiler Access Solution Cuts Budget by Half
Two side-by-side bridges connect Little Rock with North Little Rock across the Arkansas River.
Sections of By utilizing a suspended access solution inside the boiler of a 650-megawatt unit
in the Ohio Valley, significant time and money were saved. By creating a platform inside the
boiler 180 feet in the air, which was suspended from chains and supported by existing steel
beams, instead of using a supported scaffold solution, the total budget for the job was cut in
half and the overall timetable was reduced.
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8. Off Shore Rigs and Ships
Stringent safety guidelines in the maritime
industry make the need for regular maintenance
a given. OSHA, the US Coast Guard, the Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the EPA,
and International Safety Management (ISM),
are just some of the governing bodies that
designate codes and regulations that offshore
rigs and ships need to take into consideration.
Often maintenance on these rigs and ships
require that workers perform repairs beneath
the level of the deck on the outside of these
structures under tight deadlines. In these
instances, suspended access systems have
proven to be an ideal solution.
Offshore Rig Access Saves Critical Time
A contractor based out of Canada needed an access solution that would allow workers to
perform maintenance and repair on an offshore oil rig. Using multiple products, including a
suspended access system, along with more traditional scaffold and high-capacity personnel
hoists, a solution was engineered that reduced the installation time by half. A barge was used
to float a starter platform out to the offshore rig. Once the starter platform was in place, rig
winches were used to lift the platform into the air. Once there, workers were able to build the
rest of the suspended platform in the air.
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9. Petroleum Facilities
The oil refining industry continues to face tough challenges.
Many refineries are forced to run at high volumes with as
little downtime as possible. Maintenance is sometimes
delayed to meet increased demand. Due to these
circumstances, it is critical that any maintenance or repair
work – especially if a shutdown or turnaround is required
– be executed in a highly efficient manner. With the use
of suspended access solutions, some petroleum refinery
companies have saved time and rental or purchasing
fees, ultimately reducing costly shut-down time.
Saving Time and Money on Primary Separation Vessel Maintenance
Primary separation vessels are large funnel-shaped vessels about 100 feet in diameter that extract
oil from sand. A primary separation vessel produces approximately 90,000 barrels of oil, so when
scheduled maintenance makes a shutdown necessary, oil company managers need highly efficient
solutions.
During a recent shutdown at a refinery in Alberta, Canada, a suspended access system proved to
be an ideal solution. The product’s unique ability to be engineered to fit any shape allowed the
suspended scaffold to efficiently fit inside the round vessel. The customer’s turnaround time for the
maintenance project was lowered from 16 days to five, saving the customer no less than $96 million.
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10. Finding the Right Access Partner
Access and scaffold providers that not only supply
a complete line of complimentary products
but also have broad experience, as well as the
knowledge and skills unique to an industry, are
essential to maximizing the efficient use of any
suspended access system. Every project within
the industrial and commercial markets is unique.
Using an access provider that can offer custom
solutions, take a project from the planning stages
through execution, management and wrap-up,
and at the same time provide comprehensive
safety and training, is often the key difference
in increasing productivity and profit margins.
When considering a suspended access solution,
you also will want to look at the provider to
see what kinds of support service they offer
and how they perform in the following areas:
Safety
Safety is one of the most important
considerations when doing work that requires
rigging and suspension. According to OSHA,
fall protection has received the highest
amount of citations in the industrial and
commercial markets (OSHA 1926.501).
In fact, as you can see in the chart below, fall
protection citations have been listed as one of
the top three cited violations for the past three
years. In 2011, 6,274 inspections were performed
by OSHA, and 7,275 citations were given. Often a
single job site was issued more than one citation.
In light of numbers like this, it is important
to think about how new construction and
maintenance can be performed with multi-
point suspended scaffolds as safely as
possible. With tight budgets already in place,
no company can afford to pay the fines for
having unsafe practices or work environments.
To reduce the chances of being fined, safety
must be emphasized and training must be
sought. It is imperative that key decision-
makers in the construction industry look at
their access company’s track record in safety,
as well as the guidelines they have in place
to support safe practices and job sites.
Training
Training is invaluable to increase efficiency
and ensure safety. Providing product training
allows equipment users to perform their jobs
quickly, safely and with the best possible results.
Be sure to ask any potential access company
about the various training options available to
accommodate your specific project needs.
Engineering
In many instances, when working with
suspended access products, engineering and
design are critical to saving time and money,
while increasing safety and overall efficiency.
Before you partner with an access company
on any project, consider the size and depth
of their engineering support. Seek an access
solutions partner that has a solid staff of
licensed civil, structural and mechanical
engineers, as well as state-of-the-art Computer-
Aided Design (CAD) and structural analysis
software for optimum performance. Then be
sure to allow sufficient time to plan ahead.
Rental, Sales and Inventory
Needs vary from company to company and
project to project. Some require only occasional
access, while others may need it on a regular
basis. Turnkey solution providers that seek to
accommodate individual organizational needs
provide a multitude of products for rent and/
or purchase. In addition, consider product
availability through branch locations and
regional distribution centers with the capability
to efficiently schedule delivery of equipment
with minimal transportation costs and time.
Project Tracking Systems and Accountability
By providing comprehensive data about
your project from start to finish, an access
solution provider can offer real-time
information about equipment, inspections,
labor and productivity for increased cost
transparency. Good project tracking systems
allow managers to monitor and capture data
about every aspect of any job. This includes:
• On-site scaffold productivity
• Types of scaffold utilized
• How the scaffold is being used
• Inspections
• Cubic foot rate
• Dismantling status
• Total labor hours/employees’ daily time
• Historical data for future reference
Having access to this data increases efficiency,
eliminates non-productive time, decreases the
need for modifications and inventory, and helps
minimize your project costs. Modifications and
inventory, and helps minimize your project costs.
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11. Choosing the Best Suspended
Access System for Your Project
Performing on tight budgets has forced
many companies to search for access
and scaffold providers that produce safe,
effective, creative and low-cost solutions.
Through the innovative use of suspended
access systems, numerous companies
have been saving significant time and
money on projects, while also enhancing
safety. Key factors to be considered in
using suspended scaffolds are product
compatibility, training, ease of installation
and dismantling, safety and pricing. In
addition, to get the most out of any
suspended access system, you will want
to work with a scaffolding company that
is able to provide innovative, turnkey
solutions to resolve project challenges
along with a full line of complementary
products, a strong record in safety,
excellent training, engineering support,
project-tracking and accountability.
Multi-point suspended scaffolding access
solutions with rigid platforms provided
by turnkey access solutions providers
safeguard personnel and the public, as well
as a company’s profit margin.
Jerry Dolly is the manager of the Bridge Division at Safway Services, which provides QuikDeck®,
a suspended access solution, for use in commercial and industrial applications. Founded in 1936,
Safway Services is headquartered in Waukesha, Wis. Through its network of approximately 85
branch locations in the U.S. and Canada and a system of distributors across South America,
Safway provides scaffolding and access solutions for commercial construction, industrial and
infrastructure applications. As an industry leader, Safway provides sales, rental, labor services,
training, engineering, design, safety and project management. With an extensive inventory and
a full line of access products, Safway experts design and implement safe, economical access
solutions for projects of any size and scope. For additional information, visit www.safway.com.
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12. • QuikDeck® is multi-point suspended scaffold with a solid
work platform, enabling employees to work effectively
without being hindered by a flexible work platform.
• When purchased, the QuikDeck® suspended access
system provides better long-term ROI. QuikDeck® is
composed of galvanized metal making its components
lifespan five times longer than its competitors.
• Engineering design and assistance is
readily available at a lower cost.
• QuikDeck® can also be combined with other scaffolding access
solutions. This provides the opportunity to approach difficult
access situations with dynamic and creative solutions.
• QuikDeck® is designed to meet OSHA required weight
bearing ratios of 4:1 and can be configured to up to 150
pounds per cubic foot for uniform live load ratings.
• QuikDeck’s® unique design allows it to be assembled from a few basic
components and can be configured to fit almost any shape or size.
• Safway’s QuikDeck® suspended access division also has a diversified
workforce with an in-depth knowledge of the product line, all safety
regulations that apply to suspended scaffolding, and extensive
knowledge of different market segment scaffold access needs.
• Safway also provides international access to products through
90 plus branches, allowing Safway to provide quality labor,
products and services at any time and from anywhere.
• Safway’s QuikDeck® suspended access system saves valuable dollars
through an innovative, patented, cantilevered erection technique
allowing the suspended access system to be built in the air.
• QuikDeck’s® unique erection and dismantling also allow the
product to be “leap-frogged” to allow crews to complete
jobs in sections and reduce equipment costs.
• With 5,000 square feet of QuikDeck® platform per
flatbed truck, shipping costs are greatly reduced.
QuikDeck® Suspended
Access System
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