Fraco climbs NASA heights

Four 3630 kg payload FRSM platforms, bridged together in pairs and linked vertically, anchored with a dust proof protective enclosure to provide a 24.4 m wide, 6.1 m high work area at the canopy height of 43 m. Dust control is necessary because the refurbishment includes sand-blasting work. A single Fraco ACT unit provides routine access from the ground to the work platform.

NASA chose mast climbers for this project after having used conventional scaffolding on a matching set of doors on the opposite side of the building, reported Fraco.

The FRSMs are supported on two sets of three standard masts, bracketed together. The height of the door does not allow a wall tie below a height of 35 m.

Fraco began installing the climbers in September last year, a process that was hampered by poor weather, including hurricanes. One other inconvenience was the requirement for all foreign nationals to be escorted while on site; “NASA runs a tight ship”, said Fraco project manager Pierre Rainville.