Planning for handrail installation while designing a precast concrete infrastructure project can save time and money.
EARLY PLANNING FOR
EDGE PROTECTION
AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR HANDRAIL INSTALLATION KNOWN AS NON-DRILL IS HELPING MAJOR PROJECTS INCREASE ON-SITE PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY.
P
lanning for handrail installation while designing a precast concrete infrastructure project can save time, money and reduce risk. With planning ahead, at the design phase, contractors can ensure the quality of products needed for construction projects isn’t compromised. It is these factors NON-DRILL founder Paul Breen considered when he created the company’s innovative handrail system for precast and in-situ concrete, used in temporary and permanent handrails. The NON-DRILL system attaches to the existing precast lifting anchors using its patented clutch which simply hooks onto the anchor. The post is then tightened securely into place by hand. A system such as this, when specified during the design phase, can then be simply prepared during pre-construction. This eliminates the need for workers to define measurements at the time of installation, saving time and labour costs. NON-DRILL also has in-house install crews that can come out to site and install the system to further save the crew’s time. Campbell McNiven, former Senior Project Engineer and now Contracts Manager with Specialist Tunnel Excavation, says NONDRILL has the potential to simplify work on infrastructure projects. He says that using existing precast lifting anchors to save time is incomparable
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to the upfront costs, time and risks involved with drilling. “The integrity and design life of the structures we create is of great importance. It, therefore, makes sense to avoid destructive drilling works in a finished product,” Mr. McNiven says. “By removing the need to drill, you remove high-risk activities from handrail installation as well as preserve the quality of the permanent structure.” He says NON-DRILL ticks the boxes for quick deployment, short- or long-term use, no temporary works and no damage By taking away the need to drill, end users remove high-risk activities from handrail installation as well as preserving the quality of the permanent structure.
or repairs to concrete. “When I see concrete being drilled, typically for edge protection installations, I think how much easier, safer and costeffective it would be if the NON-DRILL system was planned for when the concrete was poured. It makes sense in so many applications. Some forward thinking is all that is needed,” Mr. McNiven says. Mr. Breen says that from a labour standpoint, planning the spacing of anchors in the design phase enables workers to get straight to twisting the handrails into place. This can remove the risk of human error and
