Helping Covid-19 Field Hospital Up & running in record time

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Concord Access Solutions felt privileged to have played such a pivotal role during the construction of the Brakengate Covid-19 field hospital in Cape Town. When asked to assist with the project, Concord Access Solutions pulled out all the stops to help get the hospital facility up and running in a very short time frame.

The Brakengate Field Hospital is an intermediate care facility in Cape Town. The hospital treats Covid-19 patients who require hospitalisation and oxygen.

The Concord Access Solutions team were asked to lend their specialised skills and access equipment to the project to ensure the hospital would be operational as quickly as possible. The project needed to be completed within a four week time frame, and everyone who assisted on the build worked 24 hour shifts to achieve the deadline.

Originally an empty warehouse, many changes needed to be made to ensure the building was suitable for hospital facilities. Concord Access Solutions were tasked with the installation of insulation to ensure temperature control within the building, as well as electrical fittings and cabling throughout. Partitioning needed to be installed between each bed and the façade of the building needed to be cladded. The team were all hands on deck!

The GAS team worked around the clock on two separate shifts to get the work done. Employees needed to adhere to both client-specific and government-mandated policies and procedures, including Covid-19 testing and the sanitising of all equipment and machinery.

Stefanutti Stocks, the lead construction engineering company on the build worked closely with the entire Concord Access Solutions team to get the project completed on time. It was a true representation of partnership and the coming together of everyone in such a global crises.

Genie Machines Used for Project

What access machines were used for this project?

Machinery deployed on site included a 20m diesel boom, a 20m electrical boom, electrical scissor lifts and turret truck machines.

The Genie Z60/37 DC electrical boom lift was a particularly useful machine for interior electrical work and the installation of insulation. The cherry picker features the Genie FastMast™ boom system which allowed operators to descend and retrieve materials and, efficiently return to working height. The Boom Lift features a 135 degree range of motion; enabling extensive manoeuvrability.

The Genie Z62/40J RT 4×4 Diesel boom lift was used to help with work on the exterior of the building.

How long did the project take?

By working around the clock, the team managed to bring the build in on deadline; ensuring that the emergency facility was up and operating within record time. The completed facility features oxygen resources at each bed and 8 beds have been equipped with high-flow nasal oxygen for the more critical patients. The entire facility is equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity in order for all patients to have contact with the outside world and of course, their loved ones.

Regional Manager Brent Viljoen said, “It was a privilege to have been involved in such a project. Not only has the hospital helped save lives but has also created a significant impact on the community at large. It was also just incredible to see the commitment of every single worker on site – from project manager to site engineer to operator, we were all focused on one goal – constructing a hospital in record time in order to save desperate lives and fight this global pandemic! A truly inspirational project that we as a GAS team will never forget.”

Concord Access Solutions – the team who will help you with your project, no matter the hours or the hard work!!!

Concord Access Solutions offers a diverse fleet of access platforms to both hire and purchase. Our expert team are on hand to offer you the best advice when it comes the differences between buying and renting equipment from us.

We’re known for our excellent service and maintenance team who can help should you have any issues with the machinery you buy or hire. With a support team on call 24 hours a day, there’s always someone here to help.

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• Sales and rentals of MEWP’s
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