XL boosts formwork transfer

XL’s Formwork Hoist is providing transfer solutions for a 42-storey apartment block in London, UK.

Contractor Bouygues UK chose XL Industries to ease and reduce the formwork transfer times between the upper levels of the Manhattan Loft Gardens building.

The system spans up to five levels providing 18m of travel through the safety screens, and the hoists dimensions 1.7 m width x 3.5 m depth are large enough to carry the large formwork required during construction.

In this case the suspended system with built-in landing doors has initially been installed on levels 09 to 12 and is hooked on the slabs and climbs with the help of a tower crane in less than 30 minutes. It will be used until the building is completed in the third quarter of this year.

Benefits of the system include not having to use or wait for a crane to move the formwork; avoiding the need to install and move cantilever decks between the screens; less labour required and a safer environment for the workers; and the crane is available for other duties while the hoist serves the concrete workers.

In addition to carrying tables and props, the hoist is used to bring workers to the top of the tower as personnel hoists only provide access below the screens.