Scaffold of the Year Competition

The inaugural year for this competition was 2009, so 2011 is the third year it has been held. This competition is only open to members of SARNZ.

Any member company interested in competing is asked to provide a photo of a scaffold that they think warrants the award. This may be a scaffold that solved a difficult access problem, it may be something that is only rarely asked for or it could be something that is simple and yet very tidy and fit for purpose.  
It would be useful to have some explanation of the job (no more that 1 A4 page). Photos can be emailed to the SARNZ office (JPG format please!!) on info@bsc.org.nz along with the explanation of the job.

Entries will be accepted throughout the year but will close two weeks prior to conference to allow the photos to be sorted, mounted and prepared for presentation and voting at the AGM. All photos and explanations of the job will be displayed at the AGM and all members will be entitled to vote – one company, one vote. 

Votes will be counted at the Annual Conference and a presentation made to the winner at the industry dinner.  

For any queries contact the SARNZ office: 04 589 025

Winners 2011: Distillation Unit D IV Refining Column – Cunningham Construction

The following outline of the scaffold was provided by Cunningham Construction

From time to time these units need to have a warrant of fitness (M&I inspection). Inspection of the vessels and associated pipe work is first undertaken to determine what needs to be replaced, upgraded or repaired. In this case it was necessary to erect a scaffold for full access to all areas of the columns which were alive allowing the manufacturing process of methanol to be carried out safely and remain environmentally effective. Extensive hazard identification was established. Hazards were isolated, minimised and eliminated.

Access to all areas needs to be gained to allow the works to proceed and be carried out safely, comfortably and be practical to allow engineers, inspectors, welders, fitters, mechanics, sandblasters and painters and insulation trades to carry out their various tasks on this live Plant, making it in Methanex’s words “the largest profile project in the WORLD”.

Both columns have attached to them re-boilers, and complex piping and systems requiring splicing of standards, ledgers, bracing and cantilevered sections. The erection of the base around and over these items of plant carried out by CCL scaffolding tradesman who demonstrated their vast experience and high level of skill enabling CCL to maintain the plan design (which we called coming back to the pattern), and follow it to the height of approximately 72 metres on the refining column and 45 metres on the topping column.

All this was taken into account in the design and erection of these magnificent scaffolding structures. These scaffolds were planned and erected by CCL personnel in conjunction with CCL management who formulated the plan which was then sent to our suppliers SGB to calculate a component list.

Not only the height of the two scaffolds, but also the complexity of them required a registered structural engineers’ design certificate, deeming the structures on completion of erection “A Special Scaffold”.

Left: Distillation Unit D IV. Right: Paul Cunningham receives trophy from SARNZ President Graham Burke.

Other Finalists

Left: Fitzherbert Bridge, Palmerston North - B Line Rigging and Scaffolding. Right: Elam Halls of Residence, Auckland - Camelspace.

Left: Christmas in the Park, Christchurch - Elliott Scaffolding. Right: The Stonehouse, Kerikeri - Far North Scaffolding.

Left: St Pauls, Wellington - Workzone Scaffolds. Right: Christchurch CBD - Elliott Scaffolding

Takapu Road, Wellington - Workzone Scaffolds.

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