Rack and Pinion Construction Hoist from Alimak Hek

Alimak rack and pinion construction hoist
provides access during university refurbishment

An Alimak Scando rack and pinion construction hoist was installed at Brisbane's Griffith University to facilitate the complete refurbishment of their Macrossan Building. Alimak Hek worked closely with project builders to overcome restricted access and tight space constraints on site.

Refurbishment of the Griffith University Macrossan Building involved the complete renovation of the building's lecture theatres, administration offices and student study spaces, including the replacement of all ceiling panels, wall partitions, insulation and interior fittings. An Alimak Scando men and materials hoist was used to provide access to three levels of the Macrossan building during the refurbishment work.

The main challenge in fitting the hoist to the building, was gaining access to the three balcony protrusions. To access each level from the hoist, via the balcony window, required the installation of three steel platforms of varying lengths. Located on levels 2,3 and 4, the platforms were sized to 4.2m, 3.2m and 1.5m respectively, and provided a safe walkway from hoist car to balcony level. Alimak Hek designed, engineered and manufactured the required platforms, fitting each to the specifications of the corresponding balcony protrusion, allowing direct, unrestricted access to each floor from the hoist.

Alimak Hek worked closely with the principal contractor, Kane Construction, to provide an access solution that would take advantage of the restrictive working area. Given the confined space, height restrictions and close proximity of neighboring university buildings, the only means of gaining access to the site was by way of a narrow, single-vehicle lane. As a result, the hoist was positioned in line with this laneway to enable the direct transfer of materials and equipment from reversing vehicles to hoist, reducing materials handling to a minimum.