Northern Rock – Rainton Bridge Case Study
Project Particulars
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Contractor | Bowmer & Kirkland Limited |
| Client | N/A |
| Architect | Aukett Fitzroy Robinson |
| Commencement | August 2007 |
| Completion | April 2008 |
| Labour Requirements | 8 in total |
Work Brief
Manufacture and installation of structural mild steel feature staircases c/w stainless steel balustrade continuing along atrium edges.
Description of Works
Beal Architectural were drafted on site in July 2007 with a strict program and installation sequence for the three identical steel stairs. The stairs comprised large rectangular box section stringers, with folded plate treads welded to the top of the flights, curved half landings and the need for the stairs to be fixed back to the atrium edge.
The installation was achieved using a mobile crane located in front of the building. The central support column was lifted into position first, as the half landings were already attached at the works; this created a complex lift due to the irregular shape and centres of gravity. Despite this, our structural engineer marked exact lifting points and the lift was performed with our in-house banksman without any issues.
Next, using a variety of access equipment including portable scaffold and self propelled booms, each flight was lifted into position and site welded. The contract was still at an early stage on completion of the stair installation, so staff left site to allow preliminary work to be completed by other contractors before being brought back on-site.
In January 2008, installation of the balustrade began. The stainless steel balustrade comprised a flat bar baluster with top rail fixing bracket and continuous mid rails attached to the inside of the baluster. Initially the balusters were fixed to all of the stairs and the atrium edges. The fixing of the balusters to the atrium edge was a challenge in itself, as we were fixing to both steel and concrete at different levels. This required various fixing brackets for each scenario. As the development was nearing completion, gaining access to the stair areas was an issue. Unable to reach all areas required to install the stainless steel, specialist access equipment was hired, which required additional training for some of our operatives. Once the balusters were in place the infill bars were fitted and fabricated to give a continuous look to the stairs and atrium edge.
Whilst completing our contract we were given additional work. These included galvanised plant room access stairs and also secondary steelwork and flooring to the building's substation.
Unique Project Features
- Rolling of box section half landings had to be specially outsourced due to the size of the section.
- Tight radius of the internal string around the central support column could not be achieved by rolling therefore fabrication onsite was required using plate and solid round bar.
- Infill bars to stainless steel fixed to outside edge of flat bar, not usual design of central through the baluster.
- Specially designed bracket at top of balusters to take hardwood top rail.
Gallery
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