Sterk Systems Ltd

STERK MEETS LONDON 2012 CHALLENGE

2011-12-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

When Willerby Landscapes was contracted to maintain the grounds of a famous Park under construction in Stratford, east London, it faced the not inconsiderable challenge of accessing a five-metre-high sloping wall. Having first contacted Sterk Systems in 2009, requesting a system to assist in building the wall, Willerby then got back in touch two years later for a system to help maintain it.

Contracts Supervisor at Willerby, Paul Pollington, explained the challenge to Sterk Systems. It was a particularly difficult access problem. Unlike conventional vertical walls, this one is set back at an angle of 70 degrees. And the ground at the foot of the wall slopes down and away from it, too. Strict safety rules on site meant that the plants on the wall couldn't be maintained from a ladder, and following the resurfacing of the path beneath access by cherry picker was out of the question as well, even where the ground wasn't steeply sloping.

Sterk Systems' solution was a three-metre-wide Triangular Bridging System, with its platform height adjustable from 1.5 to 5 metres. The normal working angle for the supports of the system is 70 degrees and so they matched the angle of the wall perfectly. The issue of the sloping ground was easily solved by special one-metre-high adjustable feet, allowing each side of the two supports to be adjusted to a different height. The system supplied by Sterk also has an integral winch, which means the entire platform - which also comes with safety handrails all round - can be built at ground level and then raised up to the required working height.
Willerby Landscapes are extremely pleased with their Sterk System. It would have been difficult, if not impossible, to have maintained the planted wall without it. The fact that the system can be dismantled and moved along the wall within a matter of minutes is also a great plus point for their busy staff.

The sloping wall at the London 2012 site can now be easily maintained using Sterk's Triangular Bridging System.

If you have an access challenge which you think Sterk Systems can help with contact us on 01494 582051.

Hi Guys - we've got 3 pressies 4u!

2011-12-06T08:02:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys - we've got 3 pressies 4u!

a Folding Step (normally £54.)
- perfect for putting up the Christmas decorations :)
a bottle of wine AND a box of choccies!

Click: http://on.fb.me/vZZRmQ and ‘LIKE’ us at the TOP of the page!

Prize Draw Friday 16th December 5pm

PS – Send to your friends and ask them to like us too ;-)
Many thanks and Happy Christmas!

Joëlle, Sterk Systems

Sterk Systems meets the Challenge of Corporate Manslaughter Act

2011-11-30T09:48:00.000-08:00

With the introduction earlier this year of the new Corporate Manslaughter Act, many companies may be at risk of prosecution due to short comings in their management systems and health and safety procedures when working at height. One of the most common causes of workplace deaths and major injuries is falling from height. The Health & Safety Executive’s focus on new Working at Height regulations has resulted in the safety of scaffolding systems coming under increasing scrutiny.

The Sterk Systems strategy is to provide a reliable solution to health and safety issues relating to working at height. The Triangular Bridge system from Sterk Systems is lightweight and easy to erect, unlike traditional scaffolding. Its innovative design results in reduced erection time, less climbing and minimal potential for accidents. A 12 metre span weighs less than 50kg, rests on just two supports and can be erected by two people in 15 minutes. The length of the scaffold also compares favourably with traditional scaffold towers, which have to be broken down and re-erected for each section of a job.

The Triangular Bridge’s adjustable supports are positioned against the wall and stabilised; the bridge section can then be assembled on the ground and simply manoeuvred into place using the integral hand winch. Floorboards, safety handrails and end rails can then be installed and, with an optional weatherproof covering for the system, there is no reason for work to be halted in poor weather conditions.

The system, available exclusively in the UK through Sterk Systems, is so quick and easy to erect and dismantle that it’s resulting in huge time and money savings for contractors. Designed by Dutch aluminium specialists Artilan Aluminium b.v., the proven system is made from high quality, lightweight aluminium, with all-round welding to eliminate crevice corrosion. The system has been fully tested to European safety standards (EN1004) and is ideal for a wide range of uses from construction and painting and decorating to roofing, plumbing and theatre productions.

Normandy Caravans overcomes Space constraints with a Sterk System

2011-11-23T14:59:00.000-08:00

Lack of space was the main issue when scaffolding specialist Sterk Systems supplied a bespoke access system to Normandy Caravans. The company manufactures caravan holiday homes and residential lodges and required a platform to simplify the ceiling and roof installation. Significantly, the system needed to not only fit into the limited space available but also comply with safety standards for working at height.

Normandy Caravans manufactures a range of models for both the UK and European markets, from affordable models to top-of-the-range all-season lodges. There are around 25 standard models, but the many different available options mean that the company must operate a mixed model production line. Normandy's Hull factory makes between five and seven caravans a week, ranging in length from seven to eleven metres and from 3.0 to 3.7 metres wide.

The company needed a scaffold system that was adjustable in both width and length to enable it to cope with varying caravan dimensions. Previously, a system of trestle and walk boards without handrails had been used. Together with its supplier Artilan, Sterk Systems produced a work platform comprising four separate mobile towers and two triangular bridges running the length of the caravans under construction. Also, two platforms were incorporated at each end of the installation. Sterk Systems' platforms are fully compliant with the latest Working at Height regulations and have the additional benefit of being fully mobile, which allows easy transfer between working bays.

Gary Cooper of Normandy Caravans is delighted with the new scaffold system: "Our criteria for this job were tough - we needed a lightweight, modular, mobile system which would fit into our somewhat confined working area. Sterk Systems worked closely with us to understand our problem and then produced the perfect solution. I'd have no reservations whatsoever in recommending them."

Normandy Caravans has been producing well-designed premium holiday caravans for more than 25 years. It has about 10°l0 of the UK export caravan market, sending holiday homes to Belgium, Holland and other European destinations. Whilst historically its focus has been on the export market, the company has recently begun to expand its UK business as well.

Sterk Triangular Scaffolding improves safety at Waveney District Council

2011-11-16T15:45:00.000-08:00

Sterk Systems has supplied its Triangular Bridge scaffolding system for Waveney District Council in Suffolk to improve safety and efficiency in its building maintenance operation.

Previously, maintenance of its housing stock had been carried out on pre-fabricated scaffold towers and lean-in systems but the council was keen to reduce the weight of its scaffolding whilst improving manual handling operations and working conditions for staff.

The council's existing mix of aluminium and steel scaffolding systems was heavy and unwieldy and was causing handling problems for maintenance teams.

The erection of the scaffolding required the platform to be lifted into place by rope from a ladder - a difficult and hazardous operation.

After investigating available alternatives, Sterk's Triangular Bridge System was identified as the most user-friendly option.
The Triangular Bridge scaffold is light and easy to erect: a 12-metre span weighs less than 50kg and can be erected by two people in 15 minutes.
The length of the scaffold also compares favourably with traditional scaffold towers.
The Triangular Bridge's adjustable supports are positioned against the wall and stabilised before the bridge section is clicked into place and the floor boards, hand rails and end rails installed.
"Erection of the system is very easy and fast," confirms Andy Elvin of Waveney District Council.

"The complete system can be fabricated on the ground and simply winched up the wall - operatives do not have to lift heavy objects, either at height or on the ground".

The council will use the system mainly for roofline replacements such as fascias, soffits and guttering, although it will have many other potential uses, including soil stack and window replacement.

Sterk's system can also be linked to tower and steel pole scaffolding, should the need arise.

"Health and safety considerations must play a large part in any purchase of this type of equipment and I am confident that our risks from manual handling and falls from height have been greatly reduced by moving to the Triangular Bridge System," adds Andy Elvin.

Waveney is the most easterly district in Britain, situated in north-east Suffolk and Waveney District Council serves around 116,500 people.

Designed by Dutch aluminium specialists Artilan, the Triangular Bridge System is made from high quality, lightweight aluminium, with all-round welding to eliminate crevice corrosion.

The system has a wide range of uses, from construction and painting and decorating to roofing, plumbing and theatre productions.

Sterk Systems is the exclusive distributor in the UK

http://www.sterksystems.co.uk/