NON-DRILL eliminates a big hidden business risk
When NON-DRILL invented their ingenious handrail system, they quickly realised they had also reduced a massive hidden business risk for their customers.
While we would, of course, expect an edge-protection system to reduce the risk of falls, there is another significant bonus.
Before NON-DRILL
The traditional installation of handrails has typically involved drilling 4 holes for each post into precast concrete, Jersey Barriers, Gawk Screens and RE Walls etc.
The drilling process is slow, time-consuming and labour intensive, as each post requires multiple fixing bolts.
The hidden risks of drilling
Drilling can compromise the integrity of precast concrete. Drilled holes can not only reduce the strength of the original structure and weaken reinforcing mesh, but they can cause a more sinister threat.
Exposing the inner concrete structure and reinforcing mesh to moisture or air could lead to electrolysis, oxidation and corrosion. Exposing the structure to the atmosphere can increase the risk of concrete spalling or “concrete cancer”.
Without proper remedial treatment, drilled holes could evolve into a substantial long term liability. Procedures such as Cathodic Protection are available but add on-going cost and require specialist advice and application.
Expectation of lifespan
During the design and specification of construction or civil engineering projects, there will be an expected life span of the asset. The specifications will call for materials and methods to be used to meet the expected design life.
Contractual obligations may also require contractors to provide insurance, sometimes from several different policy types, to offer adequate cover over the project lifespan.
In the event of a project failure within the life span, the contractual and legal implications of such liability could be enormous for those deemed responsible.
For example, the cost of fixing the structural problems in some Sydney apartment blocks will run into hundreds of millions of dollars.
Carrying out works on a project that may prejudice a structure could become a potential liability.
So, think before you drill! Eliminating drilling is the best solution.
Handrails / edge protection in the construction industry
In construction and civil engineering, we expect handrails to perform two essential functions:
- Aid us with stability for ascending and descending stairways or inclines
- To prevent falls by acting as an edge protection barrier
Some handrails are a permanent installation designed purely for end-users once construction has finished. However, other handrails are a temporary installation that forms part of the safety infrastructure to protect workers during the construction process.
Temporary handrails / edge protection barriers are also used on established facilities and sites where periodic or one-off maintenance is required.
Key industry problems to be solved
Firstly, the installation productivity of the traditional handrails into precast concrete, Jersey Barriers, Gawk Screens and RE Walls is poor. The process is slow and labour intensive, as each post requires multiple fixing bolts. Drilling for the fixing bolts requires access to power, has higher consumable costs and carriers an injury risk. It also generates volumes of potentially dangerous dust.
Secondly, construction sites, especially civil engineering projects, face a significant logistical problem of installing temporary barriers, along with the extra labour and costs for their installation and removal. Examples would be providing edge protection during the construction of motorways, railway bridges or RE Walls. Once a section of a project is complete, the temporary handrails or barriers are no longer required. The slow and labour intensive drilling installation is inefficient.
Thirdly, if temporary barriers are “single-use”, a project’s environmental impact is also adversely affected.
NON-DRILL 's ingenious solution-problems solved!
NON-DRILL entered the scene with innovative products to solve these problems. Like all brilliant inventions, the NON-DRILL system is a stroke of genius. NON-DRILL developed a handrail system that quickly attaches to existing lifting anchors embedded in precast concrete. Utilising lifting anchors to secure the handrail post eliminates the need for drilling and dramatically speeds up installation time. The NON-DRILL system can be installed quickly without the need for power tools and reduces labour costs.
Equally important, for temporary installations is that the handrails or barriers can be quickly dismantled and moved to provide a reusable, cost-effective and flexible, solution for temporary edge protection.
10 Key Messages
- NON-DRILL Temporary and Permanent handrails attach to anchors in precast concrete, Jersey Barriers, Gawk Screens and RE Walls etc, allowing installation without drilling.
- Fast and efficient installation improves productivity.
- Quick removal of temporary handrails, which can then be relocated and reused.
- Reduced environmental impact as the NON-DRILL system can be reused an unlimited number of times.
- Zero cost of consumable items such as power tools and drill bits.
- Reduced risk of accidents to hands, ears and eyes by eliminating drilling.
- Eliminate the risk of silica dust exposure to workers during installation. See our blog “10 facts about silica and why it is bad for you” to get more information. (Insert link)
- Productivity, safety and environmental gains come as standard with NON-DRILL !
- The NON-DRILL system avoids the degradation of structural integrity.
- Think before you drill!