One of the most prestigious construction sites among the many construction sites where Pilosio has used a mast climbing work platform is undoubtedly that of the Procuratie Nuove facade in St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy, where an intervention to secure elements of the facade is being completed.
Instead of hiding the façade behind the scaffolding, the Venetian restoration company Lithos Srl preferred a less invasive solution by choosing a mast climbing work platform with a minimal visual impact on the façade.
The choice in favor of a mast climbing work platform was strengthened by additional factors, no less important for a construction site located in a city of art where there are numerous constraints: the minimal occupation of ground space, minimal interference with the numerous commercial activities, much fewer elements to be transported by water and on foot by crossing St. Mark’s Square compared to a standard scaffolding system, and the advantage for the company of bringing workers and equipment at a height much more efficiently and safely.
In addition, specific details were designed for this construction site: the subdivision of the work into two lots, to use a medium/light easy to maneuver equipment to be then moved from the first to the second lot; push-on anchors to avoid damaging the facade with holes and tie-down anchors; work surface featuring outdoor-treated anti-slip multilayer planking instead of a metal deck due to the high humidity in the lagoon city.
Finally, in order not to interrupt the continuous flow of people between the famous Caffè Florian and the tables in the Piazza, an underpass was created to facilitate the passage of tourists and business workers while the mast climbing work platform stops at an elevation of about 3 m. The tunnel was made using MP Multidirectional scaffolding with a width of 1.50 m, a length of 5.00 m, and a useful height of 2.65 m, while restorers can access the work surface via an MP ladder tower located at the access door of the unit.
The medium/light load capacity ESI model was chosen for this construction site. It is the smallest in the range of products in this category, which includes also the medium/heavy load capacity COSMOS and heavy load capacity ESA models. The ESI mast climbing work platform can reach a length of 26.60 meters with overhangs to the wall of up to 1.20 m to compensate for building recesses and protrusions and with a load capacity of up to 2800 kg. Movement is achieved by coupling rack and pinion driven by electric gear motors. It is easy to move, assemble and disassemble. The space it needs on the ground is that of just the two bases with the motor unit, while the entire walking surface can be kept raised to leave free access to stores and venues. Perfect for use in narrow spaces and historical centers, it has a 1.00-meter wide walking surface that allows the operators to have sufficient space to work comfortably. In its standard version, it comes equipped with a basic frame with wheels for movement, adjustable stabilizing arms to ensure maximum stability, and the following safety devices: self-braking gear motors, manual emergency lowering, phase control relay, upper/lower limit switch, upper/lower mechanical stop device, anti-fall proximity device (detects the presence of any encumbrances), safety limit switch for access doors, and audible movement signal.