LAYHER takes the helicopter to an exceptional construction site

An exceptional site...

The Baous forced water pipe is located at the end of the Pont de l'Arn near MAZAMET in the Tarn (81). It begins 130 m above the factory EDF and descends over a length of 160 m, crosses the Arn, a 40 m wide river, to arrive at the factory, located on the other bank. There, the water from the upper levels is collected and then transformed into energy. 

Located in the heart of the Haut-Languedoc regional natural park, the site was therefore subject to major constraints to respect this exceptional environment.

...Exceptional means!

The work of removing asbestos from the existing paintwork was already an environmental challenge.

To carry out this work, EDF and the company DONELLI, responsible for asbestos removal and painting, entrusted to SERVICE ECHAFAUDAGE 31  the responsibility of constructing scaffolding allowing access at all points and total containment of the pipeline.

With experience of difficult construction sites, acquired over several years with its supplier LAYHER Echafaudage Toulouse, SERVICE ECHAFAUDAGE 31 has therefore put in place a precise operating process because this mission required the combination of several talents, for the technical aspect as well as for the coordination of the different trades.

LAYHER provided the study, technical assistance and 120 tonnes of UNIVERSEL® scaffolding equipment chosen for its adaptability, versatility and ability to evolve. Furthermore, these elements are protected by 80 micron thick hot-dip galvanization, which guarantees their reliability in adverse weather conditions, as was the case at the start of the project.

These 120 tonnes were delivered in bundles of 800 kg. for helicopter transport, which was the only possible supply solution given the difficulty of accessing the pipeline. It is the FAF company located in Argelès (66) which took care of the helicopter transport.

To organize these deliveries and receive the crane trucks from the THURIES company (Toulouse), SCAFFOLDING SERVICE 31 developed a site a few kilometers from the construction site by carrying out earthworks and fencing to store the equipment while awaiting its removal by helicopter.

This project began in the snow and cold with the watchwords of safety, respect for the environment and deadlines.

Speakers

EDF : project owner

LAYHER : study, delivery, technical monitoring of the site, coordination of stakeholders

SE31 : scaffolding hirer/erector

DONELLI : Asbestos removal / painting

FAF : Helicopter transport

Technical scaffolding and synchronization

The scaffolding installed on the upper pipeline located in the mountain was received in several 50 m phases, before moving on to the construction of the 40 m pipeline bridge.

To install the suspended scaffolding, a temporary installation on concrete blocks positioned in the river was necessary.

This highly technical structure required a detailed study by LAYHER's design office, as well as rigorous monitoring of assembly compliance with the plans and synchronization of the interventions of the various stakeholders.

Indeed, it was essential that everything be precisely orchestrated, particularly for the assembly of the suspended scaffolding. The calculations had been carried out on the basis of a completely empty pipe in order to be able to resume the suspended scaffolding, so it was imperative that the team responsible for purging it be synchronized on the day.

The river, meanwhile, had to be at its lowest point upstream so that the temporary scaffolding installed in the riverbed would not be swept away by it.

The water cut-off at the dam therefore also had to be timed correctly. 

Once the scaffolding is in place, SERVICE ECHAFAUDAGE 31 removed the temporary implantation structures.

Since the suspended scaffolding could not be anchored in the traditional way, it was secured by ties and buttressing against the wall of the pipe, protected by wedges. The whole thing was surrounded by tubes and clamps.

With this suspended scaffolding in place, the DONELLI company was able to complete its work and, thanks to the professionalism of all these companies, the pipeline has regained its original splendor and this exceptional site has been preserved.

Established in France since 1980, the LAYHER company has revolutionized the world of scaffolding with innovative and safe solutions.

It provides its customers with a rental stock of 35 tonnes of equipment spread across its 000 depots, as well as a design office made up of experts, consulted for the most technical projects (Maison de la Radio, Total La Mède, the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais, etc.)

www.layher.fr

Contact: Aurélia Jourdain

aj@tara-communication

+01 (49)30 10 70 XNUMX XNUMX