The challenge
The roof area of a train contains many things that passengers simply take for granted. Strip away the interior ceiling panels and countless wiring looms are exposed that power things like the doors, lighting and device charging points.
Move onto the top of a carriage and you will find the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units (HVAC) that keeps the environment below cool in the summer and warm in winter.
Strict enforceable mandatory regulations stipulate that HVAC systems must be regularly maintained, to ensure they are efficient, reduce carbon emissions and control the risk of the Legionella bacteria developing.
As the units are fixed to the top of the carriage roof, accessing these safely is a common challenge in a rail maintenance depot setting.
CAF USA approached Planet Platforms to help their personnel safely maintain the HVAC units, having seen some of our previous work with CAF, in Manchester.
The available working space at this site was restricted in some areas with access only possible on one side of the carriage and the solution had to take this into account.
The solution
A proven design that we have developed over several years, is our “Boxing Ring” platforms that are ideal for accessing the roof of a train safely.
Set on a steel base to give a compact footprint, the lower tower structure was manufactured from aluminium with an inclined ladder to access the main upper working platform. The leading edge of this platform was fitted with fold-down flaps to close the gap between the platform and carriage roof.
On top, the fold-out boxing ring was manufactured from non-conductive fibreglass tube giving the maintenance personnel a 360° guarded work platform.
Modular in design, the system was flat-packed and shipped overseas with full technical and training manuals that detailed the build and operation of the system.
The benefits
A wholly bespoke solution that met 100% of the customer’s needs.
Base constructed of steel, giving a more compact footprint due the restricted site access conditions.
Non-conductive fibreglass boxing ring. Live overhead wires in the depot environment ensured there was no risk of electrocution if the system accidently came into contact with them.
Safe means of working at height.
Summary
The boxing ring platform was exactly the right piece of equipment for safe work at height.
Flat-pack design reduced the size of the container needed to ship the platform to an overseas customer.
Technical and training manuals helped with the initial building of the system and the associated instruction in its safe operation.
Tom Boyle, CAF USA Workshop Manager, “The access equipment Planet Platforms supplied has ensured our maintenance personnel will be safe when working on the air conditioning units”.
