NORACON MONORAILS LAUNCH IN AUSTRALIA

State of the art Westpac Headquarters in Sydney presented significant building maintenance challenges for LRI Access, Leighton Contractors P/L (D&C Contractor) and Johnson, Pilton, Walker (Architects).

Job Brief:
To provide a maintenance access system for 25 floors under a 7 meter 'cantilevered' deck.  The limitations resulting from the architectural requirements disqualified traditional approaches and significantly impacted the design of a maintenance system.

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Restrictions:

• The cantilevered deck had load restrictions and the maintenance solution could not be visually intrusive. 
• Installers were required to operate in a restrictive environment, coordinating works around the structural beams and operating from temporary work platforms.

Solution:

In keeping with LRI Access's business charter to ‘find solutions to seemingly impossible tasks’, consideration was given to aesthetics as well as job suitability. The Noracon system was ultimately chosen following a rigorous process of elimination, addressing all partners requirements.  The modified aluminium monorail appealed to Leighton Contractors for its durability, particularly in this all weather, harbour side location.  Focus was given to how future maintenance crews would be moved into place with the ultimate solution requiring a scissor lift allowing crews to hook the cradle on to the rail and raise the self climbing BMU up onto the track.  Ultimately, the Noracon monorail system has provided a simple solution with minimal impact on the façade and structure.