PTSG’s Award-Winning Lateral Access System

Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG) is asked by an increasing number of customers to undertake specialist services such as painting, repairing or cleaning the underside of roofs for a variety of structures such as sports stadia, airport hangars, manufacturing sites and hospitals.

Pendrich Height Services Ltd is part of PTSG Building Access Specialists Ltd, one of the Group’s five business divisions. Pendrich’s Managing Director Mark Perfect was inspired to develop the Lateral Access System after seeing a rope access system used in a busy street when on holiday in Las Vegas. Noticing the speed and ease with which people used the system on the underside of the canopy – and the absolute safety for people in the street below – Mark spoke found out how it works. He then developed an industrial application of this system – the Lateral Access System.

He assembled a team of his own IRATA trained Level 3 rope access engineers to devise the lateral access system using two nylon ropes and weights to test the strength and effectiveness. Nylon ropes were then upgraded to steel ropes for optimum strength for all industrial applications.

The Lateral Access System – Specification, Assembly And Installation

For each application of the lateral access system, the team from Pendrich conducts a detailed survey of the building’s structure, ensuring its compatibility with the system.

When the lateral access system is installed, it is tested with weights (sand bags) to find the optimum tension for the users, to ensure it is safe. If any revisions are made, it is tested again before being signed off by Pendrich’s qualified and experienced engineers.

The Lateral Access System – Features And Benefits

The lateral access system has been configured to enable operatives to work at any height. It can be installed to the underside of roof canopies, fragile roofs and attic spaces. It can be installed safely above plant and machinery. The system can be used without any disturbance to maintenance tasks such as painting, cleaning and repairs at ground level. It is ideal for use in environments where access is restricted It can be used in a wide range of industry applications: Sports stadiums Manufacturing plants Logistics and warehousing Aerospace Attic spaces Historical buildings

Case Study – Celtic Park Stadium

Celtic Park, which is in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, is an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,411. It is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the eighth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom.

Following on from a successful 2021 project on the West Stand at Celtic Park, Pendrich returned during the off-season break (before the start of the 2022/23 season) to carry out the structural inspections and painting of the steel support purlins to the underside of the East stand. Using their lateral access system, Pendrich’s engineers carried out the works within the timescale of the closed season to the delight of the club.