The Galleries Shopping Centre

The Galleries Shopping Centre in Washington, UK, a bustling retail hub known for its commitment to safety and innovation, recently undertook a significant infrastructure upgrade. The project involved the installation of a state-of-the-art travelling gantry designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of the shopping centre's maintenance operations. Eurosafe, in partnership with leading industry specialists, was tasked with the design, installation, and commissioning of this cutting-edge system.

Industry

Retail

Expertises

Working at Height

Safety Circle steps used in this project

Consultancy & Audit,

Installation Solutions,

Training & Education

The client

The Galleries Shopping Centre is a premier retail destination in Washington, UK, attracting thousands of visitors daily. As a centre that values both safety and innovation, The Galleries is continuously looking for ways to improve its facilities to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for shoppers and staff alike. The installation of the travelling gantry was part of this ongoing commitment, aiming to provide a robust solution for safe maintenance access to hard-to-reach areas.

The requirements

The key challenge for this project was the requirement for a highly specialised, long-span travelling gantry capable of operating seamlessly across the centre’s large glazed roof area. The gantry needed to be both durable and easy to operate, ensuring minimal disruption to the shopping centre’s daily activities. Given the scale and complexity of the project, precision in design, engineering, and installation was paramount.

The solutions

Eurosafe was selected to lead the project due to its expertise in designing and installing safety systems for large commercial properties. Collaborating with NorAcon, a world-renowned manufacturer with decades of experience in producing high-quality gantries, Eurosafe embarked on a project that would push the boundaries of conventional gantry design.

Conceptualising and Suggesting the Use of a Gantry: The initial brief was to provide a solution that would ensure sufficient access for both general and specialised roof maintenance. Eurosafe proposed a novel solution - a travelling gantry that moves along rails and is powered manually. This innovative design included hatches through the floor for easy access, effectively addressing the maintenance needs while also offering a unique, efficient solution.
Surveying and Utilising the Existing Structure: To minimise disruption and reduce costs for the client, Eurosafe utilised the existing steelwork that was already part of the building's structure to support the gantry. This approach not only conserved resources but also ensured structural integrity. Specialist 3D surveying techniques were employed to accurately assess the as-built condition of the steelwork, ensuring precision in both design and installation.
Gantry Design: The gantry was designed using advanced 3D CAD software, allowing for optimised efficiency across all teams involved in the project. This sophisticated design process enabled seamless collaboration between engineers, fabricators, and installers, ensuring that the final product met the highest standards of safety and performance.
Setting Up the Crane: The project began with the careful setup of a crane, which was crucial for the safe and precise installation of the gantry. This phase required meticulous planning to ensure that the crane could operate effectively within the confined spaces of the shopping centre.
Rigging of Lifting Equipment: Following the crane setup, the next step involved rigging the lifting equipment to the gantry. This process was executed with high precision, setting the stage for a secure and controlled lift.
Lifting the Gantry: The most critical phase of the project was lifting the gantry from ground level to the designated glass area. This operation showcased the combination of advanced technology and skilled expertise, ensuring the gantry was positioned accurately and safely.
Fitting Wheelboxes: Once the gantry was in place, Eurosafe’s engineers installed the wheelboxes, which are essential for the gantry’s smooth and reliable operation. This step was crucial in ensuring the long-term durability and functionality of the system.

The outcome

The installation of the travelling gantry at The Galleries Shopping Centre was a resounding success. The system is now fully operational, providing seamless and efficient maintenance access across the centre’s glass areas. The gantry’s design ensures that it operates smoothly with minimal disruption, reflecting the high standards of precision and quality that Eurosafe and its partners are known for.

This project not only met but exceeded the client’s expectations, setting a new standard for safety and efficiency in commercial property maintenance. The collaboration between Eurosafe and NorAcon resulted in a truly remarkable piece of engineering - one that few similar examples worldwide can match.

This is the longest travelling gantry of its kind ever manufactured by NorAcon. There aren't many similar examples in the world. This really puts into perspective what we’ve achieved here - something to be very proud of.

David Smith, Eurosafe Design Manager

Conclusion

The successful installation of the travelling gantry at The Galleries Shopping Centre demonstrates Eurosafe's capability to deliver complex and large-scale safety solutions. This project highlights the importance of collaboration, precision engineering, and innovative design in achieving exceptional outcomes. Eurosafe, in partnership with industry leaders, continues to set new benchmarks in safety and efficiency, ensuring that clients like The Galleries Shopping Centre can operate in a safe and well-maintained environment.