access methods

Professional installation and use of safe, innovative, fully compliant methods of structure access. Altitech’s experience, certified expertise and efficiency provide Clients significant commercial upsides and high quality results.

Our temporary work site access systems replace or compliment traditional forms of structure access such as scaffolding, building maintenance units and swing stages.   

We are the access and the technical service provider. In this way we can minimise a projects’ cost and duration; reduce associated operational risk exposure and streamline work scope interfaces onsite.

Complementing our compliance with the relevant regulations in the country of operation, we voluntarily adopt international standards and industry best practice applicable to each of our site access methods, each supported and validated by numerous safety controls:

  • Offsite and onsite operational processes defined in our robust internal quality management system that includes:
    • Policy, processes and procedures
    • Method statements
    • Risk identification, assessment and mitigation
    • Rescue plans
  • Project engineering FEED analysis and endorsement
  • Qualified and designated supervision
  • Integration of multiple safety redundancies
  • Auditing by 3rd party, industry leading bodies
  • Alignment with industry best practice – ISO 9001, 45001, 31000, IRATA, LOLER, 17020
  • Equipment selection, inspection, utilisation and management; in compliance with statutory requirements

Regardless of the application, the installation and use of specialist methods / equipment demands a high level of operator competency; the product of direct, broad experience, qualifications, specific training and (operational level) industry accreditations.

Industry leaders and professional users, the competency of Altitech site “work at height” technicians, is guaranteed. Extensive site / structure experience and internal training programs are reinforced by our technicians’ and supervisors’ progression through the benchmark 3 tiered IRATA training, assessment and certification platform. 

Appraising a new project, we select our access method type after detailed assessment of:

  • Type and arrangement of target structure
  • Project duration
  • Availability of structural anchorages
  • The technical requirements of the target site service
  • Site compliance requirements

Often used in combination, our focus access methods each integrate elements of fall restraint, fall arrest and work positioning; directly interface with industry accepted ‘work at height’ hierarchies and are underwritten by specific public liability and employee protection insurance.

Contact us directly for further information, details or project references related to any of Altitech’s access system solutions and expertise.

General description:
Industrial adaptation of abseiling and climbing; utilised by qualified, supervised, personnel following strictly managed and audited procedures.

Key advantages:
Significant commercial savings offered by low mass and portability (rapid deployment / removal). Safe and exceptionally versatile.

Structure suitability:
All horizontal, inclined and vertical structures in the elevated built environment

Works suitability:
All inspection and light to medium maintenance / repair / installation / construction

International compliance (in addition to local compliance):

  • ISO 22846 part 1(fundamental principles) (2013) & part 2 (Code of Practice) (2012) Personal equipment for protection against falls (Rope access systems)
  • BS 7985:2009 (Code of practice for the use of rope access methods for industrial purposes)
  • AS/NZS 4488.1:1997 Industrial Rope Access Systems – Specifications
  • IRATA International Code of Practice

Additional information / Altitech enhancements:

  • Involved in the application of IRA for 30+ years, our management personnel pioneered it’s use in various Asian territories, including Macau, where Altitech (Macau) is the first registered operational member company of IRATA.
  • Adoption of a “rig for rescue” approach on all Altitech work sites
  • Altitech integrates, where applicable, a motorised element, where for system optimisation
  • Inclusion of advanced (system / technician / structure) protection on all sites at all times

General description:
Perimeter tensioned, temporary access platforms used in horizontal and inclined applications. Linked to the load bearing capacity of the perimeter structure, load capacities of between 220 to 950 kg per TAP ‘unit’ are possible. Altitech specializes in two TAP variations:

Textile (HTPE) mesh nets: customised to a target structures’ form and available in variable mesh dimensions. Net construction type finalised after assessment of factors including site work task and net deflection requirements.

Flexible (PVC) membrane decks: Utilise cross hatch integration of synthetic webbing into (typically square or rectangular) sleeved PVC panels. Tensioning devices in the webbing terminations transform the panels into semi-rigid platforms.

Key advantages:
The low mass profile of TAPs promote transportability, rapid installation / removal and reduce reliance on mechanical elevated platforms and work site interference. Significant aesthetic and commercial advantages over scaffolding.

Structure suitability:
Roofs, atrium internals, inter-structure voids, (bridge & platform) deck undersides.

Works suitability:
Structure inspection and remediation; roofing and fixture installation;

For heavier tasks (i.e., blasting and painting) and works / sites where deflection minimisation, visual barriers or environmental containment is required, membrane TAPs are preferable.

International compliance (in addition to local compliance):

  • BS 8411 (Code of practice for safety nets on construction sites and other works)
  • BS 5975:2019 Code of practice for temporary works procedures
  • BS EN 1263-1 (Safety nets – Part 1: Safety requirements, test methods)
  • BS EN 1263-2 (Safety nets – Part 2: Safety requirements for the positioning limits)

Additional information / Altitech enhancements:

  • TAP are work platforms and should not be confused with “fall arrest” solutions
  • Installed in situ, in either isolated or modular arrangements
  • Secondary, fall arrest components are integrated into TAP
  • Installed by technicians utilizing MEWP or IRA
  • Accessible by any (supervised) technician who has undergone associated basic height safety training and utilizing mandatory, compliant fall arrest equipment.
  • Altitech’s management have extensive global experience in TAP design, install and use; maintaining key relationships with premier European manufacturers of both varieties.

General description:
Temporary, high capacity platforms anchored to suitable overhead structure and with intermediate supports, used in horizontal and inclined applications. Two variations adopted by Altitech:

  • Modular framed deck platforms
  • Inflatable (heavy duty, vulcanised rubber) platforms

Key advantages:
Present as exceptionally cost effective alternatives to metal scaffold / platform systems. Significantly less inventory, reduced overall mass and 75% reduction in installation time.

Structure suitability:
Industrial facilities’ pipe racks, vats and boilers; deck / span undersides (petrochemical and transport infrastructure); inclined delivery structure (i.e., material conveyers); atriums.

Works suitability:
Heavier work tasks (i.e., demolition, repair or coatings application) demanding higher platform rigidity and capacity / point load criteria.

International compliance (in addition to local compliance):

  • BS 5974:2017 Planning, design, setting up & use of temporary suspended access equipment. Code of practice
  • BS 6037-2 Code of practice for the planning, design, installation and use of permanently installed access equipment — Part 2: Travelling ladders and gantries
  • BS EN 1808-2015 Safety requirements for suspended access equipment.

Additional information / Altitech enhancements:

  • Versatility of Altitech SRP’s:
    • Habitat / containment integration minimises environmental and / or visual impact of the associated works task
    • Integration of lifting / lowering mechanisms
    • Load capacities of up to 350 kg per metre square are possible
  • Bespoke constructions and derived from military technology and materials: Altitech’s inflatable platforms are precisely matched to a structures’ form and thus make excellent, mechanical free, access alternatives for maintenance of an atrium’s underside.
  • Altitech’s, rope access and aerial lifting / rigging expertise allows our SRP to be assembled in situ or at ground level and hoisted into location.