Geographic Location: Southeast Asia
Industry Sector: Hospitality-Gaming
Client Type: Private
Background Information
The client had engaged domestic and international internal personnel and external resources to deliver a dual-purpose system. One that was capable of rescuing guests from suspended cableway people mover systems in rare circumstances when multiple redundant built-in systems failed or could not be utilized, and to provide exterior building maintenance through the use of track mounted BMU’s and articulating boom lifts and cranes.
With a successful 21-year relationship with the client, Rauch was chosen as the Owner’s Representative to represent the client with regards to technical issues and project coordination. Rauch’s role was to confirm that the design engineer’s design and vendors’ details and designs satisfied the intent of the contract documents, review technical submittals, etc. on behalf of the client and to serve a similar function during installation and commissioning of the system. Additionally, Rauch’s role extended to the review and management oversight of rescue operations, training, and commissioning.
Issues and Challenges
The primary challenge was to deliver an overall comprehensive, integrated, and manageable system from the varied component vendors, designers and equipment elements consisting of the suspended cableway people mover system, BMU’s, boom lifts, cranes, and rope rescue, each its own dynamic system with very specific environmental and operational issues.
Equally challenging was the ability to ensure that this comprehensive integrated system could be quickly deployed, be safe in its entirety for both rescue personnel and guests during rescue operations and be minimally invasive from a visual and noise perspective during façade maintenance operations. An additional challenge was the ability to design a comprehensive integrated system with proper integrated long-term maintenance and training programs which could meet not only the requirements and expectations of the client but also the long-term liability and commitment concerns of all the associated vendors.
Solutions and Recommendations
Rauch recommended that it provide comprehensive management of the development, manufacturing, construction and close out phases of the project.
Development Phase
- Overall project schedule development
- Identify various and worst-case scenario for project and project solution, i.e., liabilities, impact of choice and design of equipment, operations and training
- General concept review, comment, and recommendations
- Negotiations and interface with equipment suppliers and engineers to provide overall integrated solution
- Equipment modification engineering & design
- Budget development
- Design peer review
- Engineering peer review
- Interface between equipment design, operations, and training procedures
- Identification of qualified equipment manufacturers (platform/sled/ track/drive or similar)
- Develop RFP for the manufacture of platform/sled and track
Manufacturing/Construction Phase
- Management of manufacturing (platform/sled/track/drive or similar) and equipment modification
- Management of quality control of manufacturing (platform/sled/track/drive or similar) and equipment modification– includes site visit to manufacturers to witness testing prior to shipping
- Management of equipment shipping and receipt of same on site
- Inspection of received equipment and ordering of replacements parts if damage has occurred during the shipping process.
- Inspection of final installation of equipment (platform/sled/track/drive or similar and articulating boom).
- Identification and ordering of replacement parts due to damage during installation process
Close Out Phase
- Management of equipment turnover and testing.
- Interface with onsite/property personnel as designated by Client for the final review of written operational procedures.
- Interface with onsite/property personnel as designated by Client for the management/oversight of initial training and process demonstration.
- Interface with onsite/property personnel as designated by Client to make any final adjustments to written procedure, training, or operations.
Risk Factors and Assessment
The primary risk factor was managing all of the competing interests and requirements while delivering an overall integrated final product in the time frame required so as to not negatively impact the property’s opening.
Rauch’s assessment was that despite the unique challenges associated with the project, the experience and commitment of and by all the team members to give priority consideration to safety and to mitigate identifiable risks associated with both the rescue and maintenance operations, the project could be successfully delivered.
Initial and on-going training programs to disseminate knowledge and to continue to improve behaviour patterns and attitudes regarding safety in general and equipment safe usage specifically were critical. The inability to clearly articulate and demonstrate the importance of safety to the client’s employees and as importantly local contractors, will leave the client, employees, and guests at significant risk regardless of the amount of funds put towards equipment, plans and procedures.
Project Successes
Rauch, the client, the design team and vendors together provided the deliverables necessary to confirm that the design, installation and operation of this integrated rescue and maintenance system was in compliance with all applicable CEN Standards (which for this project were found to be the most comprehensive) and incorporated numerous safeties into the design to address foreseeable hazards and mitigate them to the greatest extent possible. They also identified precautionary measures to confirm that reasonable parts, tools, and accessories are available on site to immediately repair conditions that might impair operations.
Should extenuating circumstances occur to render the suspended cableway people mover systems impaired or immobile, the design and operation incorporates multiple methods for evacuating the suspended cableway people mover systems under diverse circumstances.
Equipment and service suppliers will further develop plans and guidelines for updating detailed operational procedures based upon the specific equipment and scenarios they may encounter, working with the client and client’s personnel to achieve the operational performance that the client is renowned for worldwide.
Trusted by clients since 2001, Rauch Safety & Engineering specializes in guiding private and public clients through complex Fall Protection and Confined Spaces Infrastructure Access and Maintenance projects across specific industry sectors and markets utilizing our global network of resources to provide comprehensive world class advisory and management services.
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