Construction Access Hoists from Alimak Hek

Alimak construction hoist provides access
during fire-damaged apartment block refurbishment

Cathedral Place has undergone a multi-million dollar refurbishment to repair the extensive damage caused after a fire spread through the apartment complex. Alimak Hek worked quickly to install a construction hoist on site, providing the primary means of access during refurbishment works.

An Alimak Scando rack and pinion construction hoist was installed at Cathedral Place Apartments, aiding building crews in the rebuild and refurbishment of the apartment complex following extensive fire damage. Composed of five individual apartment blocks, the Cathedral Place fire began in the ceiling of one core unit and spread, causing extensive damage to the surrounding blocks. With an estimated $8.8 million worth of fire, smoke and water damage caused to the building structure, refurbishment is expected to take six months.

Alimak Hek worked closely with the project builder to ensure the swift installation of an Alimak construction hoist, providing men and materials with access to the top four levels of the apartment block. Given the number of residents displaced by the fire, it was critical to have the hoist installed immediately in order to begin the extensive refurbishment works.

Due to restricted space, limited building access and the need to keep thoroughfares clear at all times for the complex's remaining occupants, the use of a crane on site was impossible. With the only other building access via an internal stair system, the 2000kg capacity Alimak hoist became the chief means of transporting men and materials to the required levels.

To take advantage of limited space on site, the Alimak Scando was installed in a side-on position, working-in with the erected scaffolding systems. Gates were fitted to both sides of the hoist car to provide greater flexibility of use, while the inclusion of an extended internal deck allowed for the manipulation of large sections of damaged building materials, including plasterboard sheets.

The addition of these dual gates and larger internal deck enabled the fast removal of rubbish and debris during clean-up operations, and assisted with the handling and transportation of refurbishment materials during the rebuild. The Alimak Scando men and materials hoist remained in use at the Cathedral Place Apartments for three months during refurbishment works, providing the primary means of vertical access to the five level apartment building.