Exterior Walkway System

This project initiative was to replace an improvised "catwalk" that was made of some temporary scaffold parts, and then connect the newly installed catwalk to an access stair down to the area, across some rough, uneven terrain. To complicate things, all of the area is subject to flooding due to its proximity to a large river bank, so material choices were important to ensure the product would hold up to the  elements. 

Project evaluation

The SAFE-T-FAB team traveled to the site to review the area, record the terrain, measure the total linear feet of catwalk required, and discuss the installation capabilities of the end user. After a thorough evaluation of the area, all parties were comfortable with the SAFE-T-FAB designers working up a concept that would be fabricated off site at our shop, delivered by our logistics, but installed by the end user, under our guidance and advice. 

design proposal

Using the information gathered during our evaluation, our team developed a 3D model of the landscape, capturing the existing stairs down into the area, as well as the building where the scaffold was to be removed and replaced with our catwalk. SAFE-T-FAB then used this model to integrate the catwalk system into, allowing us to trouble shoot in the digital space what would be much more difficult during the installation. Ultimately, our team proposed 24" wide walkways with OSHA compliant guardrails, made to link together to allow an even, dependable surface over the rough terrain. Apart from the robust construction, all of the material was hot dip galvanized after fabrication, giving it a finish with protective properties sure to hold up to the elements. 

Final Product

After coordinating the fabrication and delivery of the material, SAFE-T-FAB worked with the installation team at the end user to help plan the location, size and quantity of concrete footers to pour to suspend the run of catwalk across the uneven terrain. The combination of great information on the front end, coupled with a talented group of capable installers resulted in a final product that hit the mark on every level. After the system was put in place, all safety concerns previously on the radar for this area had been resolved.