Environment Agency Flood Defence

Hoist & Winch Ltd have recently supplied a bespoke Tandem Lifting Electric Chain Hoist Design as part of the improvements to an Environment Agency Flood Device System at Taplow Weir on the Jubilee Relief Channel which is part of the  River Thames System.

Overview

The Tandem hoist units are to be used to lift 7 m long galvanised steel stop logs shown in the enclosed photograph. The stop logs each weigh 2000 Kg and provide a temporary barrier to the Relief Channel so that essential maintenance can be carried out on the hydraulically controlled sluice gates that regulate the rate of flow of water entering the Jubilee Relief Channel from the River Thames.

Working for a large Water Industry Engineering Contractor who designed and installed the complete system, the remote radio controlled tandem lifting system was designed by Hoist & Winch to the Environment Agency  bespoke  requirements over a period of 26 weeks as the specification was developed and finally approved prior to manufacture.

This specification approval process involved Hoist & Winch Ltd’s direct customer the Water Industry Engineering Contractor, The Main Contractor Overseeing the Entire Project and  the Environment Agency.

The final design of the lifting system ensures that the tandem lifting electric chain hoists raises and lowers the stop logs in a level position in order that the Stop Logs locate correctly in their guide rails without any misalignment and include the following equipment and features.

• 1 x Pair Of Yale CPV/F 2500 Kg Swl Single Fall  Electric Chain Hoist units installed in motor trolleys  providing fast and slow speed operation for all motions.
• Single Ikusi Wireless Remote Radio Control Handset offering individual control of either chain hoist unit raise or lower motion for initial levelling of the load hooks prior to lifting operations, and dual tandem hoist control for the precise level positioning of the Stop Log load during lifting and lowering operations.
• Special software control system that ensures that in the event of loss of power to either hoist unit or activation of a raise or lower hoist limit switch that the system fails safe and the load is not lifted unevenly.
• Mechanically linked hoist units to ensure correct hoist unit load hook separation at all times.
• Audible and visual hoist unit operating alarms.
• All electrical connections by rugged heavy duty plug and socket connectors for ease of maintenance and Installation.
• Top and bottom hoist load hook position limit switches.
• Fully enclosed outdoor specification copper conductor power feed system to provide safe maximum hoist unit hook coverage across the gantry system.
• PVC Outdoor weather covers for hoist units and electrical control panels.

The critical nature of the project and close proximity to water resulted in very closely monitored working practices calling for very stringent planning of all work activities and additional PPE including Life Preserver Jackets.

This site work was also subject to CDM Regulations and required all site engineers to hold a valid CCNSG Passport To Safety and CSCS Competency Certification.

The installation work was completed over a 5 day working period and involved the use of a barge mounted hydraulic crane and Hoist and Winch Engineers working in conjunction with various other Contractors.

The completed system was load tested using a dynamic test load of 2.5 t + 2.5t + 125% Proof Load. Additional repeated function tests were also carried out using the dynamic test load and actual Stop Log load to fully prove the system functionality and satisfy the Environment Agency requirements.

On completion, Hoist & Winch Ltd issued a LOLER Thorough Examination Report for the completed hoist installation work and also the Gantry support system.

Hoist & Winch Ltd also carried out on site operator training for site personnel to cover the following topics: overview of hoist units supplied and main components, operating controls and features including hoist unit top & bottom limit switches & e-stop, periodic checks and lubrication, annual inspection, service and certification requirements, tandem control features, practical operation by each operator. 

This type of tandem lifting system design could also be used for other applications requiring very precise, failsafe level lifting including:  special purpose steel door lifting including blast doors used in ATEX EX/Hazardous environments and handling valuable, delicate long loads in various manufacturing industries etc.

The project to install the system supports the Environment Agency’s annual maintenance programme that ensures its flood defence assets remain in good working order.

Operational since 2002, the Jubilee Relief Channel is an 11.6 km flood relief channel that reduces flood risk to 3,200 properties by diverting water from the River Thames when flows are high.

By taking excess water from the Thames, the Jubilee increases the total channel capacity in the area and reduces the level of the River Thames as it passes through Maidenhead, Windsor, Eton and Cookham. The Jubilee Relief Channel was used to ease high flows in the Thames as recently as January 2023.

Visit www.hoistandwinch.co.uk for further information and to view recent case studies.

 

Hoist and Winch Ltd

Unit 20, 11B Arrow Business Park, Alcester Employment Park, Arden Road, Alcester, B49 6HN

Tel:  08450 171126                  

e-mail: [email protected]

web: www.hoistandwinch.co.uk