Safety is always the top priority at every step involved during the development of each CoxGomyl building access system. The well-being of BMU operators, building residents and visitors, and that of the general public in the vicinity is our number one concern in the design, manufacture and deployment of every building access system we deliver. A secondary, but still vital, consideration in the development of practical building access systems is achieving sufficient coverage of every facade surface. Our designers and engineers are commonly called upon to develop solutions which will allow the Building Maintenance Unit to navigate challenging building geography and provide operators safe access to otherwise inaccessible areas.
Both of these important factors came strongly into play during CoxGomyl’s work developing Building Maintenance Units and associated infrastructure for the unique architectural form of The Shard in London. The project required both the highest possible standards of safety and complete facade coverage for the unique form of this iconic building. The key factors involved in achieving this were two equally unique and ingenious solutions focussed on stabilisation of the Building Maintenance Units.
The irregular pyramid shape which defines this eye-catching landmark creates a form with a smaller area at roof level expanding outwards towards the base. In effect this meant that a Building Maintenance Unit launched from the higher floors to descend straight down would not be able to reach the outermost edges of the facade with only vertical movement. In response to this issue, CoxGomyl developed a special cradle support beam for all Building Maintenance Units in the three main zones. This safely stabilises the Building Maintenance Unit while also allowing it to move out along the edges of each facade elevation. The cradle support beam fitted to each BMU allows the cradle to follow the line of guide rails installed along each corner of The Shard’s pyramid structure as it spreads out towards its widest point at the footprint. In addition, the same cradle support beam is also utilised to pull the cradle in towards negatively inclined sections of the facade.
Another concern arising from the angled pyramid sides of The Shard was the risk of the cradle suspension lines coming into contact with the angled facade surface as it descends from the smaller floors at higher levels, potentially damaging the facade. CoxGomyl overcame this challenge with a special ‘donut’ restraint system. A number of circular protective devices are deployed along the length of the suspension cables which prevent direct contact with the facade and also hold the cradle in position more securely to further enhance operator safety, especially in high wind conditions.
Across a broad portfolio of building access solutions from unique structures to more uniform buildings, CoxGomyl are able to apply their expertise and problem-solving ability to deliver safe, practical and cost-effective systems which meet all your access requirements.
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