Project: 51m Refinery Column
Location: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Scaffolding Solution
SAPREF required a reliable, safe, and cost-effective scaffolding system to maintain its tower. Southey Contracting KZN, using the versatile Layher Allround system, created a 51-meter high façade scaffold for critical work, including insulation removal, grit blasting, and thermal spray on SAPREF’s column C9101.
The Allround system’s lighter material made it easier to work with and minimized structural strain, enabling the addition of a hoist and an ablution facility 34 meters above ground. The scaffold included fully boarded platforms, a comfortable staircase, and adaptable components to navigate obstacles efficiently. Layher’s engineering team provided essential support to ensure safe and precise assembly.
Key Savings and Improvements:
Weight Reduction: By using the lighter Allround system, scaffold weight was drastically reduced, alleviating stress on structural elements.
Adaptability: The system’s flexibility enabled the use of additional components (e.g., console brackets, couplers) for navigating obstacles and attaching hoist mechanisms.
Efficient Assembly: Fewer modifications were required, significantly reducing time and standing costs.
Material Savings: Traditional setups would require 120 tons of material, with only four boarding levels at a time. The Allround system allowed for the scaffold to be fully boarded at every level while bringing the total weight down to 47 tons.
Conclusion:
The SAPREF tower maintenance project demonstrated the efficiency and adaptability of the Layher Allround system. By reducing scaffold weight, simplifying assembly, and minimizing material use, Southey Contracting KZN delivered a safe, cost-effective solution that met SAPREF’s high standards. This project sets a benchmark for future maintenance work, showcasing how innovative scaffolding can drive significant time and cost savings.
