Sayfa Group Ltd

The number of Davit Arms required for a project should not sound like the quintessential British question of "one lump or two" for your cup of tea.It should depend on the specific project parameters but it is a question we are often asked, even if the employer's requirements or access strategy specifically identify a quantity.There are however a few definitive requirements. If the system is designed for single users (due to roof/building structural load limitations for instance), then two Davits must be provided to facilitate safe rescue. Equally, although Davits are component form and portable, the units are not light to carry between buildings, might be too large for service lifts and no one even wants to think about the stairs - the buildings being cleaned by rope access for a reason!Additionally, the duty holder and building owner should consider cleaning times and crew efficiency. Responsible IRATA contractors operate in a team of three, with one level 3 supervisor and two operatives. With a single davit, two of the team are effectively non-productive.Finally, it can be that multiple outreach davits are required. The projection requirements can vary depending on rooftop socket locations, parapet sizes, and façade elements. For extended cleaning cycles, Davit arms should project so that there is a naturally extended reach.Leave the one lump or two questions for your cup of tea, or number or shots of espresso if you prefer……….

Clarendon is a project undertaken by Berkeley Group in North London, as part of a regeneration scheme that will provide over 1,700 homes and 125,000 sq ft of commercial space.This project aims to make the best use of brownfield land and also highlight the benefit of master planning which helped the scheme win “the best 2022 planning award”.Sayfa Group supplied the Clarendon project through a partner contractor, responsible for the height safety and façade access systems throughout the project. There were various base types and styles required for a variety of locations such as balconies, terraces, and rooftops. However, of all the varieties there is no greater example of planning ahead than the Cast-In Davit Base.Why Davit cast-in bases?Davit systems are an essential solution for cleaning and maintenance strategies. They provide easy and safe access for rope abseil teams to access a building's façade.Cast-in Davit bases are the most cost-effective type of base for both initial and life cycle price basis. The Davits bases are set out to specific datums and are generally tied into the rebar instead of the traditional process of drilling concrete and resin fixing. The process for which is often time consuming, highly weather dependent, and prone to human error. The method of casting in bases accelerates the programme by removing interfaces and potential delays between the trade activities of installing the posts and insulating/weathering the surface. Beyond installation the ongoing maintenance price or 'lifetime cost' of 6 monthly LOLER inspections is significantly reduced. Non-cast in Davit Bases require a thorough examination of the fixings which may include torque testing if required. Visit our LOLER Testing and Inspection Guidance for more information.To learn more about our EdgeSeil range visit our Products Page or get in contact with the Sayfa Group Team.

Continuing its launch programme, Sayfa Group has innovated the traditional safety post, working to the company's unique 25³ NPD philosophy:25% saving to install25% reduction in cost25% less environmental impactFallSecure™ Post (patent pending) is manufactured from 6082-T6 structural aluminium and 316 stainless components. Fully SATRA tested to BS810:2017 for three users and 14kN rated the maximum system size is 144m with 12m post centres. The system has intermediate, corner, and end brackets with shock absorbers and tension forks. As with all Sayfa, products weather caps are available in high visibility safety yellow or discreet grey.The posts provide a hybrid functionality, offering a SLS that prevents accidental deployment and yet also prevents or significantly reduces forces deployed to the roof structure.With a range of post heights from 180mm to 650mm all weighing less than 5kg, risks with manual handling are much reduced, and carbon contributions from logistics cut significantly.Sayfa+ partner contractors benefit from a proprietary fixing method, reducing the necessity for rebar cutters and drill depth/diametre, helping the product achieve 25% saving in on-site labour.With a 30-year warranty, which increases to 60 years with Sayfa+ approved contractors installation and annual inspection, the materials are almost 100% recyclable. Of all aluminium extracted it is estimated 75% remains in use.

In 2005 the Working at Height regulations began to shape today’s industry. Rope access or abseil is frequently adopted all over the world as a means of cleaning and maintaining buildings as well as infrastructure.However, the use of Davit arms and sockets is particularly prevalent in London, but is also increasingly the preferred solution in other UK cities. The premium for a BMU system in terms of direct cost, loss of real estate and ongoing maintenance means these are widely avoided, in instances where they might be used elsewhere in the world. As a result of this preference for rope access, the UK leads the world in product testing, system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance standards. Through BS8610:2017 and BS7883:2019 there are exacting standards to control a complex industry, formed mainly of specialist SME’s.In buildings typically from 5 to 50 floors the benefit of a davit solution as opposed to other anchor points such as abseil posts or eye bolts is that the rope can be safely diverted without risk of abrasion, building elements such as parapets can avoid the forces and the sockets can be easily concealed.The initial costs of a Davit system are relatively low, as are the ongoing costs for LOLER inspection. The design and install is, in the main easy to coordinate. All of these factors have combined for the rise and rise of Davits.At Sayfa Group where the principle of Safer for Designers, Installers and Users is a core aspect of the product design, the davit solution is viewed slightly differently.During the design development and testing it quickly became apparent that to meet the product standards with typical UK building standards the Davits would be heavy units even when they are modular interconnecting sections. It was even more obvious moving the Davit arm from socket to socket, rigging and re-rigging was likely to be far more time consuming than the operation itself. Consultations with rope access companies confirmed this, who in the past might have used poorly executed temporary systems like weighted trolleys or adhoc eyebolts, both of which present risks for the user and duty holder.When evaluating the benefits of Davits it was evident that its main benefits related to ease of construction rather than user and public safety and initial cost, rather than ongoing cost for the next 30, 60 or 120 years.With the insulation depths and complex facades present in many UK buildings to meet BREEAM or the highest part L efficiency ratings it was clear some functions of a davit were fundamental, however, if these could be combined with the characteristics associated with a BMU or monorail system, there might be a solution that suited everyone.Earlier this year Sayfa Group launched EdgeReil, building on the only UK 3 user BS 8610:2017 tested abseil rail. This incorporated two means of Davit attachments through a monorail and A-frame or DuoRail or TwinTrack system.These systems offer full building perimeter functionality, fixed to a concrete parapet or primary steels is the most cost effective option, but roof fixed support posts are available.The key benefits are that cleaning is up to 18 times faster than socketed davits, enabling a single rig to clean a large elevation or an entire small building. This improves user safety, minimises manual handling of the davit and drop risks as well as impacts of the exclusion zones at lower level.The system is also suitable for lifting or lowering materials and undertaking maintenance activities.Contact enquiries@sayfagroup.co.uk