Doncaster Civic and Cultural Quarter

Client

Technoshade

Duration

1 day (annual works)

Location

Doncaster Civic Centre

Sector

Construction

For Doncaster Civic Office, the client required rope access works for an assignment that didn’t fall under our usual remit.

The brief

Smart window solution company TechnoShade asked us to help with the inspection and maintenance of automated roller blinds at Doncaster Civic Office.

Accessing the blind and motors was going to be difficult so the client decided to commission rope access techniques to reach the blinds located in the ceiling of the council building, on the sixth floor over an atrium.

The building

The new Doncaster Civic Office was opened in 2013, consolidating numerous council offices into one energy-efficient building. The five storey rectangular tower block was built in glass and steel at a cost of £20 million.

The work

We accessed the 20 blinds, motors and tensioning cables to conduct a full visual and tactile inspection, both while turned off and while in motion. We also tightened the tension of any loose guide cables.

Access was awkward because the blinds were located inside a fully operational, open plan office.

This was inspection and maintenance work that was different to our regular projects. From our position at height we were able to advise, direct and be the eyes and ears of a third party engineering company on the ground.

Benefits to the client

Rope access proved to be the only hassle-free solution to a logistical headache. Without rope access expertise, the client was unable to reach the blind and motors to complete the inspection and maintenance work.

By sharing our expertise we were able to collaborate with the client to complete the work to their safety specifications, with minimal disruption. Rope access techniques on an operational site don’t cause the mayhem associated with scaffolding and MEWPs (mobile elevating work platforms).

We were able to assist the third party engineering company by remotely showing them what we could see and the work we were doing.

Benefits to people who use the building

Workers and visitors to the site were able to use the building as normal while we carried out the work. This was particularly important in a council building that is busy with workers and members of the public.

We were introduced to a project at Doncaster Civic Centre some 3 years ago where a number of automated shading systems has been supplied and installed by another company. The issue the client had was that they couldn’t get anyone to carry out an annual service on the 17nbr very large blinds installed to the underside of roof glazing. Maintenance was essential as the blinds provided both shading from glare and significant heat reduction for the wellbeing of the large number of Council staff within the building. Understandably the main issue was access to the blinds as they were installed some 20m from floor level and with only a very small ledge below them at roof level for access. The client had previously had to pay to have purpose built scaffolding to allow access – which was not only very costly but also extremely time consuming. I asked Julie and Matt at Orb Rope Access if they could help. Matt and his team not only devised a safe and effective solution for access to carry out the maintenance following some initial training on the systems provided. A thoroughly professional and technical approach to the work needed – culminating in being able to swap a motor at roof level within a couple of hours when previously the work would have taken a full weekend with a large cost for scaffolding. Our client is extremely happy with the service he now receives and of course the significant reduction in annual costs to the Council. I would strongly recommend Orb Rope Access for any project you have requiring safe access at height.  With their high level of professionalism and positive approach to every task facing them with a real can do attitude they make it look easy.

John Deegan

Owner - Technoshade Ltd

What our clients say about us

Absolutely delighted with the outcome of the works, can't praise ORB highly enough for the all elements of the project, will certainly be using them again on any future projects.

The gutters on our building had not been cleaned for some years. In places they were choked with vegetation and this was causing water ingress into the building whenever we had heavy rain. Access, because of height was an issue. Orb Rope did a fantastic job and resolved the water ingress problem which had become a big concern. The technicians came when they said they would, carried out the work they said they would and left the area clean and tidy. The work was done promptly. We found the technicians knowledgeable and helpful. We would have no hesitation in recommending your company.

“Orb Rope Access have run several projects at Scarisbrick Hall. We have found them to be efficient, reliable and have completed their works on time and on budget. We would have no hesitation in recommending them. Well done Matt and team, keep up the good work.”

" I have worked with Matt and Orb since 2010, on many various tasks within the stadium and training ground, this includes floodlight painting and lamp changes, high level window cleaning, maintenance and repairs to various roofs to include tin, plastic and fiberglass roofs. The fitting of new high level signage and banners, and many other jobs. They helped to develop our rescue plan for our own engineers when working on the floodlights. They are always available when we have had storm damage, working well into the night to complete repairs. I would not hesitate to recommend them to any other company for any type of rope work/high level maintenance, and have done on several occasions. "

"Orb Rope Access have completed numerous projects at St Johns for the past 5 years; Including the reseal of the famous St Johns Beacon! I find them professional, reliable, and very financially competitive. They are a highly recommended contractor of mine and a joy to work with."

"Orb Rope Access were introduced to us as we required a high-level structural inspection solution. Given the nature of the project we needed a service partner who could provide excellent levels of safety coupled with knowledge and capability in delivering the standards we required. Orb didn’t fail to impress, there attention to detail and professionalism throughout the process was second to none."

"I have had the pleasure of working with Orb rope access on a few roofing projects now, and have to say that despite the difficult nature of the work that they do in terms of access they also have an ability to transfer that expertise and attention to detail to the work carried out on site. Top work from a top company!"

"Inleaf specialise in the design, installation and maintenance of living walls throughout the UK. Living walls, by their nature, often require specialist access for installation and maintenance and so we commonly work with Orb Rope Access to provide specialist advice and assistance with projects that require abseiling access. Orb Rope Access have always been friendly, straightforward and professional to deal with. We've found them to be 100% reliable and excellent at working closely with our team when on site, either following specific instructions or using their own initiative when required."

This is the second time we have used Orb for high-level work. We are very satisfied with the job done. The team arrived on site at exactly on time, kept me informed of progress and provided photographs of the completed work for my records. I would have no hesitation in using the company for future work.

Here at Liverpool Cathedral , as you can guess there is a challenge to gain access to problems at height. We have used the services of ORB for several years now and they provide us with a professional and safe service which is beyond our means.

Before ORB came to us for roof work it was very difficult to find anyone who would go on the roof. Scaffolding is very expensive. The men who come to carry out the work are polite and a pleasure to deal with and St Oswald's are so grateful for their expertise.

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Get In Touch

At Orb Rope Access we are very proud to be an IRATA Member Company and hold Safe Contractor status. If you are looking for a trusted partner to assist with projects that require working at height or confined space, please get in touch for a no-obligation quote or by calling 0781 333 9064.