‘The client was impressed by this innovative solution as a significant cost saving was made on both materials and man hours compared to competitors’ quotes.’
CoGri Asia Ltd has successfully installed a cold store floor system for a beverage manufacturer located in Singapore. Due to an increase in production demands, the client needed to boost their current storage capacity without expanding. The client chose to upgrade their block stack storage system to mobile racking for maximum density, with an approximate racking height of 8 metres.
A mobile racking system enables the racking to be parked side by side when not in use. When the forklift truck operator needs to pick stock from the selected rack, the racks can be moved along on tracks to open the aisle for access. This eliminates the need for individual access aisles. The structure is fixed onto electrically powered mobile bases, which move on rails embedded in the floor. This meant the existing floor needed to be removed so the rails could be cast into the slab.
Minimum Disruption
In addition, the client had a relatively tight program and demolition of existing slabs would require minimum dust and vibration as the warehouse is located adjacent to other raw material storage and production areas. Another client’s condition was to minimise the damage caused to the underlying insulation during the demolition process as they planned to only replace half of the insulation due to its high replacement cost. Insulation is used to increase the thermal efficiency of the building and protect the underlying soil.
Removal of an existing floor slab by breaking it with conventional pneumatic tools would be extremely noisy, dusty and labour intensive with a risk of causing significant damage to the underlying insulation. To address the client’s concerns, CoGri Asia developed an alternative solution where the existing 450m2 of slab would be cut up into 1.5m2 panels, lifted by a forklift truck and then transported outside the building for disposal. This demolition process was achieved by using a powerful self-propelled sawing machine which involved a 4 man site team completing the work in just 10 days whilst meeting the client’s requirements. The client was impressed by this innovative solution as a significant cost saving was made on both materials and man hours compared to competitors’ quotes for conventional demolition.
CoGri proceeded with the strip construction of the new floor system where only half of the insulation was replaced, followed by the installation of the slip membrane to reduce the stresses caused during concrete shrinkage and steel reinforcement to strengthen the concrete slabs. Thereafter the installation of the new cold store floor system and perimeter drains was completed on time.
Without any unexpected problems, CoGri Asia completed the project to client’s satisfaction and are now considering adding cutting and demolition to their range of services.
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