Gulf Construction Online - NSS provides access where it counts

Airport Construction

Heathrow Airport ... a suspended tracked system provided access for the external cladding work.

NSS provides access where it counts

01 July 2005

Having supplied access solutions for some of the leading airports in the world including the Heathrow (London) and Chek Lap Kok (Hong Kong) airports, Northern Site Services (NSS) is looking to offer its expertise and systems to the region and has recently set up operations in Dubai, UAE.

“NSS has vast experience in airport construction projects,” says a spokesman for the Duba-based operation NSS (Middle East). “At Heathrow Airport, NSS provided a suspended tracked system that provided access for the external cladding work. A single rig tracked down the length of the concourse, reducing erection time.
He continues: “At Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong, a similar tracked access system on the inside of the building was used to install the soffit lining. An innovative feature of the system, which spanned 37 m, was its systematic rise and fall along with the geometric shape of the building. The use of suspended solutions allows the ground works below to proceed without any hindrance.”
Set up at the end of last year, NSS (Middle East) specialises in innovative one-off solutions for access requirements in many industries, from process industries to power generation, marine, aviation, construction and maintenance sector.
In the Middle East, NSS has undertaken two prestigious projects in Doha, Qatar – one at the Khalifa Sports Stadium and the other at Al Sadd Stadium – and has already built up an impressive list of projects in the UAE including Dubai International Financial Centre, New Emirates Engineering Center hangars and the Jet Aviation projects.

Khalifa Stadium, Doha ... an inclined
tracked access tower was supplied.

Elaborating on the Doha projects, the spokesman says: “An inclined tracked access tower (7.5 m long by 1.4 m wide by 22 m high) was used to install the glazing on the Khalifa Stadium. By increasing or reducing the height of the tower using a telescopic beam, the system followed the geometric form of the substantially arched tubular structure.
“At the Al Sadd Stadium, NSS was provided with the ideal opportunity to prove its superior flexibility over conventional scaffolding. Using a tracked system at the rear of the grandstand and a running track on the field side, a 350 sq m platform area was erected, leaving the area below free for the installation stadium seating.”
NSS has the skills and experience and resources to successfully tackle every project - whether large, small or complex - in the field of specialist access. The results are first-class tailor-made solutions installed to the very highest standards of quality and safety, says the spokesman.
These access solutions are tailor-made to the specific requirements of the project and could be internal access, external access or inclined access systems.
These solutions facilitate work on:
• Fast-track projects;
• Difficult-to-access areas of a structure;
• Programme over-runs, requiring tasks to be performed simultaneously;
• Projects where the scaffold footprint is to be kept to a minimum/eliminated, to allow third-party contractors to proceed with works which would otherwise be hindered by mass scaffolding; and
• Maintenance on building structures without causing a shut down of the industrial operations.
Elaborating on the system, the spokesman says: “Although purpose built, each unit is made from standard components which creates scope for numerous flexible solutions. The system is further enhanced by the use of aluminium spanning and bridging units. Apart from the obvious versatility, they are lightweight and exhibit a massive strength-to-weight ratio. The panels can be formed to suit the curvature of the areas to be accessed.
“An in-house design team ensures a quick turnaround of concepts into reality. These are then trial erected and tested to the correct loading and safety specifications. Additionally, the simplicity of the designs means projects can be handled by a small number of highly experienced teams.”

NSS (Middle East)’s 25,000 sq ft facility in Jebel Ali Industrial area is well stocked with components required for major projects in this region. The facility also includes a large area for building and testing of access solutions prior to erection.
Besides being a specialist access solutions company, NSS (Middle East) is a complete one-stop provider in access solutions, with services, which include alloy tower equipment and conventional scaffolding, the spokesman concludes.