“With Riwal as a partner, we can take on any challenge at height”
Dura Vermeer is working on the renovation of a number of buildings in the Netherlands for their client AFAS. To ensure that the requirements for working with aerial work platforms are taken into account from the design stage on, the construction company partners with Riwal as an advisor. This way, the required work can be carried out first-time-right. The results: lower costs, more safety and efficiency.
Arend Baan, Dura Vermeer engineering coordinator: “Facilitating the everyday use of our client’s real estate portfolio is paramount. Creating access for maintenance purposes throughout the whole building forms the starting point for every decision. How do you work most efficiently and what equipment is required for the job? Thanks to our collaboration with Riwal, we can make informed decisions in construction and site development.”
The right approach for challenges at height
From design to maintenance: Riwal provides expertise during the entire life cycle of a building. The impact of required equipment on design and management decisions has been mapped out for the AFAS campus. This way, future failure costs can be prevented. While renovating, Dura Vermeer tackles specific challenges one by one, calculating the future use of aerial work platforms during the build and the chosen machines function as a guideline for the landscape design.
Solutions for:
-cleaning windows and skylights
-maintenance of facades and sun blinds
-inspection of natural stone facades
-climate ceiling service
-accessibility of installation technology at basement level
-load capacity of parking garage
Extra challenges:
-niches, bends and corners
-large pond in front of the windows
-rails on ceilings for window cleaning
-passage blocking the walkway
“Within a predefined bandwidth, Riwal knows where our options are”
Arend van der Baan, engineering coordinator Dura Vermeer
Joining forces to find the best solution
“With Riwal as a partner, we can take on every challenge. The interaction is pleasant, everything is perfectly organized and promises are kept. Our contact is always personal: for us, it’s ideal to have an expert visiting the location, giving our customers a demo, taking them through the process step by step and aligning face-to-face with everyone involved. This creates goodwill and brings energy. Together with Riwal, we can identify success drivers and continuously push for results.”
Benefits throughout the entire lifespan
Riwal provides direct insights into the possible use of aerial work platforms with a digital height plan. With a tailor-made proposal for AFAS, any limitations in accessibility are eliminated. “BIM enables you to view buildings in 3D, so you can immediately see which machine fits,” says Baan. “And in case the Riwal experts don’t have an answer, they will consult with third parties. For example, they aligned with the party supplying the glass: how much space around the building does a window cleaner need? What is the turning radius of the machines and could they be lifted onto the deck? For our client, this would then be a topic they do not need to worry about anymore.”
“By comparing all machine specifications, such as the dimensions, reach, floor pressure and weight of the aerial work platforms, your equipment choice is based on the latest and most accurate technical information. These requirements are incorporated in the maintenance plan of AFAS’s buildings, reducing the risk of unnecessary costs and increasing independence and flexibility in the case of an emergency. Hiring a scaffolding construction, facade washing installation or external cleaning company every time you need one? With this approach, there will be no surprises.”
Better reach for AWPs
It’s not always necessary to make major changes: a small modification of a building’s design can be beneficial throughout the entire life cycle. Baan explains: “If the ceiling is high enough for an indoor aerial platform, you will not need a scaffolding structure. If all technology is easily accessible, you can quickly resolve malfunctions. By incorporating suitable equipment into a design, maintenance will be smart and safe. And by basing the design or maintenance plan on the equipment you cannot do without, you take a giant step forward in efficiency.” Based on Riwal’s advice, Dura Vermeer decided to create access to technical components at floor level, extend and strengthen decking to support aerial work platforms and widen quays or drain water to make the buildings on the AFAS campus easily accessible from the outside.