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New Doka Windshield system improves working environment and reduces weather-related downtime on 29-storey residential development in London Docklands.
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Workers on what is set to become the tallest residential riverside building in London are being spared the harsh conditions and potential dangers hazards normally associated with high-rise developments thanks to a new safety system from Doka.
Concrete specialist PC Harrington is using the Doka Windshield system to provide slab-edge protection at the Ontario Tower, a 29-storey building that is taking shape at Providence Wharf, next to Canary Wharf in London Docklands.
Developed by Ballymore at projected cost of £40 million, the building will include a total of 260 luxury studio, suites, one and two bedroom apartments, plus six penthouses. It will be linked to an 8-storey riverside hotel via a double-height glass atrium, with the hotel lobby situated on the ground floor of the tower.
Each level has an identical floor plate and will include 11 apartments including seven studios, three one-bedroom and one two-bedroom apartment. The slab layout is oval shaped and from level 24 the roof of the building tapers by more than 30 degrees and the floor plans become smaller.
PC Harrington is responsible for constructing the core and surrounding frame. They decided early in the project to use Doka’s Windshield system to ensure that workers stripping and re-erecting falsework were protected from the elements and any potential falls from the slab edge. The system also protects the site workers below from any falling objects. They have nine platforms on site, each of which covers four storeys.
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The Windshield comprises an enclosure sheeting that fully protects the slab edges - preventing even the smallest pieces of rubble going over the edge. The result is a safer, more comfortable working environment and less weather-related downtime. The system comes into its own on very tall structures, where the wind loads increase with the height of the structure.
A climbing system guides the Windshield up the side of the structure. This makes it possible for large units to be raised quickly and easily with minimal crane time. When the unit reaches the next level, the system automatically latches into place, simplifying and speeding up the repositioning operation, and ensuring the very highest degree of safety by ensuring the system is secured to the structure at all times.
Additionally, the Windshield system provides a prime space for the developer and contractor to advertise and promote their names in prime location space.
Typically, it takes PC Harrington less than 10 minutes to move a platform.
The company has been particularly impressed with the ease in which the system glides onto the next level, the self locking system, the way it can be crane lifted in high winds and the level of technical support from Doka, who have adapted the system to most complex of structures. For example, at the top of the Ontario Tower, where the roof tapers and perimeter walls are introduced, Doka redesigned the windshield platforms to allow the external formwork to be supported with protection of the workforce. However, although the system is being used for a totally different site operation compared with the typical floor levels, minimal site modifications were necessary.
PC Harrington see many uses for the system on future projects, with more and more contractors valuing the many safety and cost advantages that the system offers.
Construction of Ontario Tower is scheduled for completion in 2006.
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| The Windshield is moved up to the next floor by a climbing system that is guided up the side of the structure. This makes it possible for large units to be quickly and easily "jumped" by crane. During this operation, the Windshield is fully structure-guided at all times. And once it has reached the desired resetting height, the system automatically latches into place. |
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| Concrete specialist PC Harrington is using the Doka Windshield system to provide slab-edge protection at the Ontario Tower, a 29-storey building that is taking shape at Providence Wharf, next to Canary Wharf in London Docklands. |
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