Set to host the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, London is undergoing a number of high-profile redevelopment projects. As part of the King’s Cross Station redevelopment, Kier Construction was appointed by Network Rail to renew the iconic barrel-vaulted glazed roof. With the station remaining operational throughout, Narford Scaffolding Limited was appointed and asked to provide a versatile temporary roofing solution in order to keep the project on track whilst protecting workers, staff and passengers below. The fast application of the lightweight and robust UBIX system from Combisafe International proved ideal.
During the refurbishment and replacement of the glazed elements, a substantial amount of works would take place directly above platforms 1 to 8. In order to establish a safe working area for grit blasting and painting the steelwork and to provide weather protection to the live station, Narford Scaffolding Ltd had to deliver a complex scaffolding system with an integrated temporary roofing system. For this the company turned to TRAD Hire and Sales (Midlands) Ltd.
With speed and safety of utmost importance, TRAD specified and supplied the Combisafe UBIX temporary roof and the innovative RunWay™ track system.
“As the busy railway station was to remain operational throughout the refurbishment, we required a temporary roofing solution that would provide exceptional levels of protection to workers, staff and passengers, whilst also causing minimal disruption to the station’s day-to-day activities,” said Jon Wales, Project Manager at Narford Scaffolding. “The cost effectiveness and flexibility of UBIX has proved invaluable throughout the construction process.”
After originally supplying a small number of pre-sheeted bays to provide protection during the initial glass works, TRAD supplied a total of 55 bays – each measuring 2.57 metres in length – with a further seven required to complete the application. The UBIX roof is one of the largest rolling roof systems ever erected, with two structures each measuring 75m x 32m and protecting a total surface area of more than 4,000m2, which is likely to increase to more than 9,000m2 as the project nears completion.
Designed with safety as the top priority, UBIX is the lightest and most economical temporary roofing system on the market. Using just a small number of components, it can be installed quickly, safely and economically, making it perfect for ensuring minimal disruption at King’s Cross.
Weighing just 8kg per square metre, the UBIX roof does not require specialist tools or lifting gear. With boltless fixings and loose components eliminated, all parts snap together for a rapid assembly process.
For an even more efficient erection process and to allow the roofing elements to be easily moved as work progresses, the UBIX roofs were mounted on the Combisafe RunWay system. Using custom-designed track sections and roller wheels, with a safe working load of 3500kg, the RunWay system allows all erection work to be carried out from safe, guarded working platforms, from which fully-assembled roof bays are easily rolled out into position along the track.
Following a successful collaboration between Kier Construction, Narford Scaffolding, TRAD Hire and Sales (Midlands) Ltd and Combisafe International, the new and improved barrel-vaulted glazed roof is set to be delivered on time to welcome the arrival of London 2012, and the millions of visitors the event will bring to the capital city.
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