Street-wise

In city centres the cost of land can be extremely high. As a result, developers build upwards to maximise the use of their expensive real estate. As a result, in many cities across the world, you’ll find a proliferation of tower cranes at work in the centre. In addition, of course, prestige build then attracts prestige build…

Combined with this, city centres attract huge numbers of people on a daily basis – yes, even now, post-pandemic! In such a busy and controlled environment the smooth flow of people and traffic is key to a functioning city. So how can you maintain this essential flow whilst also erecting and using a tower crane in a busy city centre?

Thomas Kainzmayer, the founder and CEO of Austrian company Hybrid Crane Base, believes his company has the answer with its tower crane foundation system.

“Tower crane foundations have not been subject to any significant optimisation since their invention,” he claims. “In urban areas tower crane foundations are placed either on the street or pavement. This is often equivalent to a closure or detour of traffic and the loss of several parking spaces for months. In urban areas, however, it may be necessary to maintain passenger traffic.”

The company’s hybrid crane base foundation consists of two steel structures divided by a bolted connection. The installation possibilities are versatile, the company claims, as the pressure distribution on the ground is lower than that of a conventional foundation, while the dimensions remain the same.

Once in place pedestrian accessibility is achieved through the use of a mobile passageway that is bolted onto the hybrid base. According to Kainzmayer the system enables the flow of traffic to be maintained, no diversions for cars are required, whilst cycle lanes, the pavement, and parking spaces remain accessible.

“Using the system the space requirement for the crane is minimised,” says Kainzmayer, “and the complete mobility of pedestrians is maintained with its wheelchair friendly ramp.”

The foundation system uses a maximum of one car parking space, and its small dimensions are designed to make loading and transport to and from the construction site as efficient and easy as possible.

The hybrid foundation parts can be transported to the construction site along with the first tower sections saving additional transportation costs compared to creating traditional foundations, Kainzmayer points out.

As well as the accessibility benefits, Hybrid Crane Base says its system offers environmental benefits as it can be reused. It offers a virtually maintenance- free service life of over 30 years, says Kainzmayer, and offers a reduction of more than 15t CO2 emissions per installation compared to using conventional reinforced concrete foundations. Videos of the system can be seen here: www.youtube.com/@hybridcranebasegmbh5523/ featured

THRILL SEEKERS

Moving from enabling access to preventing it; one unique problem of tower cranes in iconic or spectacular city centre locations is that they attract attention – unfortunately of the wrong sort.

In today’s social-media obsessed society young people are drawn to climbing cranes and recording their exploits for the internet. If you don't know, simply type ‘crane climbing’ into YouTube to see what we mean...

The CraneSAFE and CraneCAM systems are new products from UK based security system installer Panthera Group designed to enhance protection against unwanted tower crane climbers.

The CraneSAFE comprises a high security fence system designed primarily for the protection of tower cranes – although it can also be used to protect hoists, Haki staircases and other vulnerable high risk access points.

The manufacturer claims it is the first system of its kind, designed to be independently supported from the tower crane by creating a gap between the fence line and the crane.

This, Panthera says, offers optimal security while maintaining the independence of the crane itself. Its closed-loop, modular design improves sustainability and offers commercial, safety and operational benefits when compared to traditional plywood and standard mesh fence enclosures and, depending on site requirements, it can be specified as a complete kit or tailored to suit.

According to Panthera Group the hot dipped galvanised system is quick to install and quick and easy to assemble on site. It consists of multi-functioning 3mm steel posts that bolt down onto the crane base slab onto which high security galvanised panels are secured using 8mm security clips.

A high security gate comes with wired restrainers tested to 250kg, overhead gas closures and a choice of external grade hardware as standard. Standard panels are 3m height, with the option of a higher 3.6m panel for additional security if required. A range of security toppings is available to further enhance protection and reduce risk of access.

The modular system can be installed in a day and its design means it can be easily adapted and dismantled, too.

The CraneSAFE's anti-climb 358 mesh panels allow full visibility at the base of the crane and it has anti-tamper fixings, cranked security toppings and no maintenance is required. A video of the system can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDogvlMvCII

As well as the new CraneSAFE, Panthera Group has designed the CraneCAM alarm system to work alongside the tower crane.

The alarm system offers HD quality images day and night by using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. When an activation is confirmed, the system provides a local visual and audible warning. A site contact can be alerted immediately via mobile or via Panthera Group’s NSI Gold monitoring station. CraneCAM is available for hire only.

ON GUARD

Another tower crane intruder defence system comes from UK based manufacturer of perimeter protection systems Blok 'N' Mesh. The company supplies its products globally for a range of applications.

For tower cranes the company makes the Crane Guard which is designed to protect tower cranes from trespassers and consequently dangerous activities such as crane climbing, roof-topping and base jumping, ultimately reducing the likelihood of fatal injury, site stoppages and negative press.

Crane Guard is a caged perimeter utilising 358 anti-climb prison mesh surrounding the base of a tower crane with an integral digi-lock accessed via combination code as well as anti-tamper fixings for additional security.

Unlike solid crane hoarding, the mesh fence this system provides complete visibility at the base of the tower crane structure –which is preferable for health and safety.

The system is supplied as in a 3.8m height as standard with specialist installation service, although varying heights are available on request. Optional needle top fixings are available as an additional climbing deterrent.

Going from preventing ascending a tower crane to enabling it –only for authorised personnel, of course – is the 3S LIFT Tower Climber from 3S Industry. It is a lithium battery powered climb-aid designed to offer operators easy ascent / descent of the crane.

SPACE SAVER

With space in the city a luxury the 3S LIFT Tower Climber offers a compact solution as the singleperson lift is installed within the tower section, or even on the existing ladder in the tower.

The manufacturer claims it provides high safety, stable running, simple operation, and is easy to install and disassemble.

It is equipped with six safety protection systems including double independent fall prevention, overload protection, low battery protection and has a speed of 18m/min with a rated load of 150kg. Videos of the system can be seen here: www.youtube.com/@3SIndustry/videos

In the fast-paced world of urban construction, where time and space are at a premium, innovative solutions such as these not only help operators do their jobs efficiently but also contribute to minimising disruption, promoting safety, and reducing environmental impact.

As cities continue to grow vertically these tools can be real assets against the unique challenges of using tower cranes in the urban jungle.

NEWS IN BRIEF

UPERIO STOCKS GEDA TRANSPORT PLATFORMS

French tower crane sales and rental specialist Uperio has invested in a hire fleet of transport platforms from German construction and industrial hoist manufacturer Geda, expanding the scope of cooperation between the two companies. Uperio has over 2,000 slewing tower cranes, 700 employees and 32 depots across multiple countries and has been selling and hiring out Geda 2 PK crane operator hoists since 2018. In 2021 it hired the first transport platforms from Geda for use on the large Fécamp offshore wind farm project off the coast of Normandy. France.

DEBUT FOR POTAIN MCT 565A

The first Potain MCT 565A crane, which was launched in June 2022, has been delivered to a project in Singapore. The jobsite comprises three residential blocks and is expected to be completed in June 2025.

“The crane is a perfect choice for this first project,” said Johnny Kuah, regional sales manager for tower cranes at Manitowoc, “as its compact design and shorter counter-jib make it ideal for congested jobsites.”

JASO IN THE WEST COAST, USA

Tower crane manufacturer Jaso has supplied four J380PA cranes to Onni Group through its partner, Allied Cranes. They are being used for the 1120 John Street project in Seattle, Washington, USA. The multi-use project will comprise two 18-storey towers with groundfloor retail and grocery stores.

NEWS IN BRIEF

SÁEZ CRANES IN MILAN

Two freestanding Sáez tower cranes, models TLS 65B 10T and TLS 75 14T SR, with initial hook heights of 90 and 96 metres, have been erected in Milan, Italy, to help build the Gioia 20 project. The project is part of the Porta Nuova Gioia urban regeneration project which aims to develop sustainable infrastructure and will double the size of the Porta Nuova district.

COMANSA BRIDGE WORK

Two Comansa 21LC1050 tower cranes, in the 50 tonne (110,000 lbs) version, are working on the construction of the spectacular cable-stayed Gordie Howe International Bridge, linking the cities of Windsor (in Ontario, Canada) and Detroit (Michigan, USA).

TEREX TOWER FOR CORLEONIS

Polish crane service provider Corleonis is using its new 40 tonne capacity Terex CTT721B flat top tower crane, at the Osiedle Nenowe construction jobsite in Czestochowa, Poland. The crane can be assembled without horizontal anchoring to a height of up to 80m. According to Corleonis, the CTT721B is “not just a crane, it is a manifestation of engineering achievements”!