How do you safely access the 25m high domed ceiling of a 36m diameter, 80 year old auditorium which has a timber sub-floor structure?

This was the problem faced by the team refurbishing Brisbane City Hall.

Brisbane City Council has committed to preserve this irreplaceable part of Brisbane's architectural & cultural heritage. The work includes reconstructing the ceiling to the main auditorium, and removing the 120 year old pipe organ for refurbishment and protection during the ceiling works.

Construction access to the auditorium was a problem and there was no luxury of large access doors on this job. The only way scaffold could be brought into the auditorium was by existing patron access.

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Not to back down from a challenge, Uni-span recently supplied scaffold for a development for Thiess at 400 George St, Brisbane. They were applying a series of aluminium blades and alpolic panels to the outside facade of the building.

Scaffold for this project was required to sit 150m above ground level - spanning Level 34 to 36. This meant suspension of scaffold to the outside of the building to gain safe access for trades people working on the project.

A standard quick stage scaffold system was considered, but due to the length and height of scaffold required, its weight became too heavy for the supporting I-beams, and therefore not suitable for the application.

Instead, SuperHire was consulted to erect their alstage scaffold that ensured the weight was limited. Uni-span then put in place and adhered to stringent SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements) to reduce risk..

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Building a leading edge hospital on a site the size of around 28 football fields, with a peak workforce estimated at 2,300 workers means Bovis Lend Lease need superior safety solutions. The new $1.55 billion, 750-bed tertiary Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH), which commenced construction this year and is due for completion late 2012 is such a massive development, it will be serviced by its own entirely separate Central Energy Plant (CEP).

Being independent from the vicissitudes of main grid energy supplies is a crucial element of the GCUH achieving best practice, and matching aspirations of excellence in patient care with excellence in design and construction.

The CEP facility will deliver all the energy requirements for the GCUH and house all the necessary plant and equipment for the task. To deliver the formwork elements of the CEP building, Bovis appointed Oneform to provide all works associated with the formwork package.

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Delta Group has begun work on their large scale demolition of the existing Mater Hospital carpark and Uni-Span are pleased to announce they have been awarded the scaffold supply contract. Uni-span has worked closely with Delta Group over the last 3 years which represents a strengthening in the relationship between the two companies.

The project required a fully contained heavy duty scaffold to 3 elevations of the carpark, as well as very labour intensive erection as every leg and every lift of scaffold required ties into the building. Delta’s plan was to use their 13 ton excavators vs smaller machines to speed up the demolition process, in order for the structure to safely hold this additional weight over 700 metres of engineered back propping was installed to the ramps of the carpark.

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Work has begun in earnest on the Robina Hospital Expansion consisting of new South and East wings; extension of the existing “A” Block, two additional operating theatres, upgrades to the Medical imaging, Pharmacy, Pathology and catering services.

Several major challenges faced by the Unispan team on site will include maintaining: - Existing hospital facilities during the expansion, safe access for hospital patients, staff and the general public is in line with recent amendments to the scaffolding code, the ongoing co-ordination between the contractor, Hospital and Unispan when scheduling material deliveries to various work fronts on a live site.

All facets of scaffolding will be required on this project ranging from conventional builds of edge protection, perimeter containment to Birdcage scaffolds and Canter lever applications. The total tonnage supplied to the site will be in the vicinity of a thousand tonne when fully erected and should compliment the overall building phase of construction until completion.

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Unispan is pleased to announce they have successfully tendered to supply scaffold and labour to this Queensland Government project, managed and constructed by Thiess Contractors (QLD).

The awarding of this contract represents many months of hard work and dedication by the design and sales team at Unispan in conjunction with the Thiess site team, who provided the necessary details and guidance for the tender submission.

Unispan provided the contractor with details regarding credentials as to co-compliancy, work methodology, site specific safety plans, site management skills as well as a competitive tender price for submission and subsequent recommendation to the Queensland Government.

Foremost to the above criteria Unispan had to demonstrate a total commitment to the application and implementation of an approved safety management plan that provided the client with the necessary information that would allow best possible safe work practices to be adopted and followed on the Lotus Glen site.

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Uni-span is pleased to announce that it is the successful tenderer for the supply of scaffolding and labour to this Queensland project, managed and constructed by Baulderstone Pty Ltd (Qld)

The awarding of this contract represents many months of hard work and dedication by the design and sales team at Uni-span in conjunction with the Baulderstone site team who provided the necessary details and guidance for tendering to government.

Uni-span had to provide the contractor with details regarding our credentials as to compliance, work methodology, site specific safety plans, site management skills as well as a competitive tender price for submission and subsequent recommendations.

Foremost to the above criteria Uni-span had to demonstrate a total commitment to the application and implementation of an approved safety management plan that provided the client with the necessary information that would allow best possible safe work practises to be adopted and followed on this site.

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The Waterloo Junction is an exciting new retail and commercial precinct on the corner of Commercial and Ann Street, Fortitude Valley.

The refurbished hotel and new liquor superstore being created for Coles are in addition to architecturally designed showrooms and commercial tenancies; offering the Brisbane commercial office market a fantastic CBD alternative.

Uni-span Australia is proud to be a part of Waterloo Junction, through the award of the scaffold contract to Stage 1A.

This building is designed to be a 4 star “Green Star Standard”, and comprises 5 levels of large floor plate offices and 1 level of retail.

The contract, spanning 35 weeks, comprises the supply, installation and eventually the dismantling of all perimeter scaffolds as well as stair access and egress, falsework support, loading bays, hoist exits, ramps, cantilevered and spurred sections, handrails and height safety, and stairwell scaffolds. Supply is expected to peak at about 200 tons.

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Uni-span Scaffolding is pleased to announce that we are the successful tenderer for the supply of material and labour to the historic Somerville House High School roof restoration project, located in Graham St, South Brisbane. Somerville House is a day boarding school and was established in 1899 along the lines of an ‘English High School’ of the day with the relevant changes to allow for climate and local conditions. Academically the school is one Australia’s best performers in academic achievement and performance related guidelines.

Our client for this project, Kelly Group Contracting, is charged with co-ordinating and overseeing the roof restoration on the Administration building, which is heritage listed and well over 100 years old. Locating accurate plans for a building well over 100 years old was always going to be a challenge, so the Uni-span design team hand measured and photographed the building providing accurate data on which a design drawing and material takeoff could be produced.

Adding to the design parameters was the requirement that no fixed ties would be allowed to the face of the historic building therefore challenging the design team as to the positioning of the only other alternative, buttress bays, as this is an operational school and space is at a premium.

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More than 7 years in the planning, construction on Mirvac Waterfront development in Newstead has begun.

Comprising 6 precincts – Pier, Park, Lake, Shore, Sky and Waterloo, the exciting development will fast become a premier location in Brisbane.

The work began in March 2009 on Pier, Waterfront’s first and most prestigious stage of residential penthouses and apartments.

Uni-span Australia is proud to be associated with Waterfront, through the award of the scaffold contract to Pier.

The contract, spanning 52 weeks, comprises the supply, installation and eventually the dismantling of all perimeter scaffolds as well as falsework support, stair access and egress, loading bays, a gantry, handrails and height safety, and stairwell scaffolds. Supply is expected to peak at about 1000 tons.

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Uni-span had to prove to be a reponsible supplier of large quantities of hire stock that comply with all relevant standards governing scaffold. A competitive tender price was submitted to the principle contractor who, in turn, supplied a recommendation to the client.

This project required a number of scaffold components ranging from basic tube and fitting, quality system scaffold and the supply of specialty industrial equipment in excess of 1000 tonnes.

The supply contract is expected to run for 14 months, with the possibility of continued supply when the next stage in construction is given the green light.

Throughout the construction programme, there will be peaks and troughs in stock requirement. Uni-span is able to maintain a balance in the available materials by working with site staff to constantly review this need.

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Uni-span has worked closely with Nifsan over the last 6 years. This represents a strengthening in the relationship between the two companies.

The French Quarter is the latest addition to the European Village at Emerald lakes. It comprises of two, five-level, mixed use buildings and a residential tower to be named Bella Vue - meaning "Beautiful View".

This development features a distinctly urban Parisian theme, offering a slice of French life on the Gold Coast.

For a succesful tender, Uni-span needed to ensure that all work was able to continue around existing structures within the precinct with a minimal disruptive footprint on the completed stages to date.

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Leighton Contractors has begun work on their large scale HQ Development Projects in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley.

The Development will comprise two towers - The North a commercial space of ten floors, with the South to be a five floor commercial space with three floors of retail outlets.

The project has been awarded a 6 Star Green Star Accreditation - showcasing Leighton Contractors' commitment to sustainable development.

Uni-span used a custom-designed and efficient support system that was used on both towers from Podium Level to Level Two.

A new, snap-lock, adjustable brace was introduced into the support system that significantly reduced the use of tube and clip bracing. This meant a significant reduction in erection time - and a saving of money!

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The unique footprint of the Towers at ground level has provided Uni-span with a differcult base out requirement, independent bays placed accurately to produce the curved structure.

Uni-span’s qualified & experienced labour has performed this base out with accuracy and in line with the construction program to the satisfaction of the construction team.

Major challenges facing Uni-span such as the site area and multiple work fronts has resulted in a larger than normal labour force requiring good supervision and leadership.

This has been achieved again to the satisfaction of our client and we have produced an exceptable flow of work for both our client Grocon Group Pty Ltd and Uni-span.

Uni-span once again proved it is a national leader in scaffolding design and co-ordination when it secured the supply scaffolding and labour contract in the largest private construction deal ever awarded in Australia for a single tower development.

The $850million, 77-floor Soul residential tower and retail outlets in Surfers Paradise is a major new project developed by the Juniper Group due for completion mid-2011. Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise at Cavil Mall, Soul throws up many unique challenges for the builders, Grocon Pty Ltd. Uni-span was awarded the contract for its willingness to work harmoniously alongside Grocon to solve all safety and access concerns during construction.

The $850million, 77-floor Soul residential tower and retail outlets in Surfers Paradise is a major new project developed by the Juniper Group due for completion mid-2011.Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise at Cavil Mall, Soul throws up many unique challenges for the builders, Grocon Pty Ltd.

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Maintaining the facades of large public buildings is a tricky job. With pedestrians and passing vehicles to protect from falling debris, it is essential to find a scaffolding company that puts safety first.

So when Mater Children’s Hospital in South Brisbane needed to fix the damaged tiles on its façade it called for tenders from scaffolding companies capable of providing a safe and encapsulated scaffold to allow builders access to the damaged façade.

Uni-span is delighted to have secured the contract, working alongside managing contractors, the Abi Group.

Uni-span will assist Abi Group by implementing innovative scaffolding solutions to the project’s safety, noise, access and cost concerns. Here we share a snapshot of some of the project issues Uni-span addressed with scaffolding solutions.

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In April 2008 Uni-span teamed up with Gold Coast-based commercial, residential and industrial construction company, Condev Constructions, on the impressive Campus Alpha project at Robina, Gold Coast.

The large-scale $9.3million development required perimeter scaffold for all finishing trades and edge protection and Uni-span rose to the challenge to deliver innovative scaffolding solutions within the contracted completion time of October 2008.

At the peak of construction, Uni-span supplied 180 tonne (3,600 m2) of scaffolding equipment and erected the materials within a tight schedule with limited time between floor level constructions.

One of the project’s unique challenges was to allow for steel signage to be installed within the perimeter scaffold between the steel columns.

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Early in 2008 Uni-span launched into the market place its unique Uni-mesh containment system as a direct alternative to the traditional chain wire and shade cloth (please refer to the products for more information on Uni-mesh).

To present this product in a genuine construction situation local builder Errol Murfett Pty Ltd was approached with the idea of using Uni-mesh in the Lindfield Road project at Helensvale, Qld.  Uni-span had been awarded the scaffolding contract for the Lindfield Project and the location and layout of the building presented the perfect opportunity for the Uni-mesh product.

The building was the first in Queensland to have the product installed and the response was exciting. Errol Murfett Pty Ltd was also the host for an open day arranged with the site personnel and the Uni-span team involving builders, suppliers and government agencies to come and view first hand, this new product in use on site.

Uni-span thanks Errol Murfett Pty Ltd and the site team at Helensvale for their co-operation and willingness to showcase this now proven product.

Scaffold requested had to provide a dual function:

• Support System for Formwork

• Access System for finishing trades

False work scaffold (form support)

Uni-span supplied scaffold false work for the support of falsework to the underside of level 5 which was used as edge protection on the internal floors working to underside of level 5.

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Uni-span undertook another major scaffold challenge with the Rapcivic Southport Central Stage 3 shopping centre project on the Gold Coast.

Aside from ensuring minimal disruption and maximum safety for vehicle and pedestrian traffic during the scaffold erection, Uni-span’s design team was asked to tackle some irregular building configurations relating to the falsework (supporting structures to accept the plywood formwork).

During level 5 stage, the building design required cantilevered steel beams to protrude from the falsework at an approximate 30 percent angle to the building edge.

As support systems are generally initiated from the ground level off existing concrete surfaces, this use of beams (sized at 900mm deep by 7m high) in a needle configuration presented a rare challenge.

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