MJ OPTIMA PASSES BERLIN TEST WITH FLYING COLOURS

Although the 1960s don’t always feel that far behind us, the way we build and the way we future-proof has come a very long way indeed. Staunchly modernist they may be, nevertheless when it’s time to restore, alter, renovate or redevelop structures from the mid-20th century, many people in the construction and scaffolding sectors approach the project with some trepidation

It’s not that Senatsverwaltung fürStadtentwicklung der Stadt Berlin – or the Senate Department for Urban Development of the City of Berlin – was a bad building, but by the time scaffolding contractor Mike Neumann was called into action, the address – and specifically its external materials – was in desperate need of attention. The facade itself, though, had major stability problems. Standard equipment would not be enough.

Neumann Scaffolding would turn to MJ Optima for a solution, the most innovative and advanced scaffolding system developed by MJ-Gerüst in the company’s near 70-year history. Tobias Barnewitz, director of sales at the family-owned Plettenberg scaffold manufacturer, is quick to point out exactly why this system was so well suited to the Senate Department project.

He says: “The advantage of MJ Optima is the great support of the security issue for scaffolders. This is highly important since scaffolders put emphasis on security more and more.

“Moreover, switching to the new system carries relatively low investment costs since already available scaffold units can still be used, which brings high flexibility to scaffolders,” he continues of the system itself, before moving on to specifics of the Berlin site.

“Besides the enormous height, the outer facade of the Senate Department for Urban Development of the City of Berlin provides even more challenges for scaffolders. Many unresilient building components made scaffolding a highly demanding task. Also, there was the requirement for a dust-protective scaffold cladding with covers (tarpaulins).

“Special attention was paid to the technical securing of the scaffolding with leading guardrails, and only systems approved by the building control authority were permitted. Overall, the requirements for almost 27,000 square feet of facade area were high,” says Mr Barnewitz.

“With this highly demanding large-scale project, scaffolders and engineers clearly demonstrated that the new MJ Optima metric system can be used to work safely and economically on unusual construction sites and comply with current building inspectorate specifications.”

With so many challenges presented by the Senate project, it’s hardly surprising MJ-Gerüst considers this to be a real acid test for its MJ Optima system. By all accounts it more than delivered on the promises of the company backing the technology, with Mr Neumann also keen to sing the system’s praises.

Mike Neumann’s scaffolding business turned to MJ Optima who created the most innovative and advanced scaffolding system developed by MJ-Gerüst in the company’s near 70-year history.

TO PREVENT THE DANGER OF FALLING DURING THE SCAFFOLD ASSEMBLY, MJ-GERÜST HAS DEVELOPED THE OPTIMA GUARDRAIL SYSTEM IN COOPERATION WITH LEADING SCAFFOLDERS

“It clearly showed that we have invested in a system specially designed for facade scaffolding applications. The challenging static of the pipe connector at the centre of the floor has obviously been solved exceptionally well. We are very satisfied with our investment,” he says. Of course, a project like this has plenty of moving parts and it’s essential to note each of them when conducting any analysis of a project. In order to meet deadlines, the 41-strong team at Neumann Scaffolding in Berlin-Marzahn would bring in structural engineers from outside, among other specialists. In this case help came in from Bauingenieur-Gemeinschaft and Bügler-JaeckHeyse, under the supervision of scaffolding structural engineer Dipl.-Ing. Martin Heyse. Combined, these names represent some of Germany’s most experienced and skilled civil construction and development specialists. Among other things, their involvement shows just how difficult the Senate Department job really was.

But it also speaks volumes about what happens when expertise and exceptional technologies come together for a major undertaking. With a fit-forpurpose system in place, site professionals understand the equipment being used is every bit the match for their knowledge and execution.

A major impact of this is that both real and perceived safety increases, in turn affecting staff morale, performance and productivity. But that’s really just stating the obvious. For MJ Optima, which goes well beyond fit-for-purpose, the hidden advantages are what set the system apart. By that we mean optimum efficiency and unprecedented flexibility, in turn driving maximum performance and unparalleled results.

“To prevent the danger of falling during the scaffold assembly, MJ-Gerüst has developed the Optima guardrail system in cooperation with leading scaffolders. The system only includes some new units which, in combination with proven scaffold components from the UNI, UNI TOP or UNICONNECT systems, provide system-related fall protection and side protection, at the top scaffold level,” Mr Barnewitz replies when asked exactly what makes the MJ Optima so unique.

“Due to the system-related design, the top-side guard is mounted as fall protection from the lower secured position and remains in the scaffold without further additional components. The disassembly also takes place from that secured area.”