Fencing Solutions Waikato (FSW) often receives interesting and difficult projects to undertake. We were approached by a company who manages, supplies and installs racking in commercial buildings, to deliver a 14-metre high chainlink fence, which would extend from the floor to the ceiling apex.
The posts were galvanised 50mm Nominal Bore (NB). Joining two lengths of 6.5m provided us with 13m, and this enabled us to get within 1 metre of the apex. The mesh also needed to be secured to the steel rafters to create an impenetrable barrier. This new warehouse is where Soudal manufactures and stores product. The containment area is where pressurised aerosol cans will be stored. If they exploded, they would not turn into a missile that could cause further damage or injury.
There was a requirement to complete an Elevated Work Platform (EWP) course for health and safety, as all working at height needed to be compliant. It did take a bit of getting used to working at this height on a scissor lift and being that far off the ground. Even so, the EWP swayed.
The pipes were wound together on the ground and the foots secured – a special tool was made to secure these tight. The framework was clamped in place. Brackets were adapted to attach to the posts and the racking, which eliminated the need for any onsite welding.
A cradle was made to manage the heavy rolls of 3.15mm x 2.7m wide x 14m long rolls of galvanised netting so they could be unrolled from the ground up, like hanging wallpaper. Those hanging in place were stitched together with 2mm lacing wire. Each line was 38 metres. Two lines of fence overlapped with a return, which meant that gates were not needed.
In the meantime, the perimeter of the building was fenced with 2.1m high spear top fence, supplied by Modern Fence Supplies. Gates were manufactured in the FSW workshop and transported to site in one piece. There is a Key Automation gate system fitted. The site is secured 24/7 and access is controlled with exit loops fitted for gates to automatically open when leaving the site.
Written by Todd Sherburd – Fencing Solutions Waikato
Published in WIRED issue 74/September 2024 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ
