Masonry Magazine September 2008 Page. 44
MAST CLIMBERS >>> CASE STUDY
A New Nashville Skyline
When Bob Dylan recorded "Nashville Skyline" in 1969, the result was described as "ground-breaking." As Atlanta-based Mastclimbers LLC continues to explore the true value and flexibility of the product, "ground-breaking" is, again, the phrase that comes to mind.
IT WAS A DAUNTING TASK INDEED: EXTENDING THE VANDERBILT HOSPITAL AT ITS TIGHTLY FIT LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE. Bobby Reese, co-founder of Mastclimbers LLC, described the complexity of the task. "The extension to the existing Vanderbilt Hospital is in a tight city center environment. Since the original hospital was built, there have been many building additions and traffic management changes, making it impossible to erect anything from the ground up. We had ambulances racing out of the ground level area and helicopters landing on the helipad on the roof. In between we had to provide façade access for the specialist trades."
The answer? Mount the mast climbers on an arrangement of support beams, keeping everything 75 feet above the busy streets below.
"In addition to the ambulances and helicopter activity (the tower crane had to stop operations when the helicopter was landing/taking off, which was a regular occurrence), there was only room on the job to unload one truck at a time, and concrete drilling was prohibited after 8 a.m.," says Steve Kunz, Mast-climbers' project manager on the job. "But despite all of the obstacles, everyone one delighted with the result."
The challenges were varied, and the most critical part of the process was how to support the mast climber unit,s as well as how to transfer the loads through the structure but not onto it. "We began by using light, flexible equipment, which put less load on the support structure," says Kevin O'Shea, Mastclimbers director of safety and training, and the International Powered Access Federation's senior instructor in the United States. "We selected the Hek MSM Super and the Safi Jolly Junior, both of which offer fantastic weight to capacity ratios.
Kennison
FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
The Solid Choice for
Scaffold Plank
Services Availables
Rod-Clip-Brand
End Painting
Precision End Trimming
• Meets OSHAJANSI Standards
Smooth and Rough Surfaces
2x10, 2x12"
• 2'-16' Lengths
Call today for delivered
prices to your area on
partial or full loads!
Dense Industrial 65 Solid
Sawn Scafold Plank
Z-Plank Laminated
Scaffold Plank
Call Our Sales Team!
1-888-697-5585
Fax: 337-527-0412
Bob Edens
Sales, ext. 17
Jared Kennison
Sales, est. 15
Joe Kennison
Sales, ext. 14
John Warlikowski
Western Region Sales
1-877-784-9163
www.kennisonforest.com
CIRCLE 144 ON READER SERVICE CARD