GG Glass

Project Scope

GG Glass engaged MAE Solutions to assist with the replacement of a damaged glazing unit on the 6th floor of One Capital Quarter in Cardiff. GG Glass had been replacing multiple damaged glazing units using conventional methods, including cranes and Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs), necessitating a full road closure. However, one glazing unit proved inaccessible due to its location near the main railway line into Cardiff Central and a pedestrian footbridge running parallel to the building.

MAE Solutions Approach

MAE Solutions employed a strategic and innovative methodology to address the challenges presented by the project:

  1. Portable Weight System & Anchoring:
    Our team utilised a portable weight system alongside existing on-site anchorage points to establish a Safe System of Work (SSOW). This ensured our technicians could access the damaged glazing unit securely.
  2. Specialised Equipment:
    The damaged unit was carefully secured using a battery-powered glass vacuum lifter combined with a remote-controlled hoist. This advanced system provided our technicians with complete control over the lifting equipment, mitigating the risk of communication errors and minimising potential damage during the removal and installation process.
  3. Glazing Unit Removal:
    Once the damaged glazing unit was secured, technicians systematically removed the surrounding capping and pressure plates, allowing the glazing unit to be freed. The unit was then manoeuvred internally, enabling GG Glass operatives inside the building to detach the damaged unit and attach the replacement safely.
  4. Work Restraint System:
    A portable anchorage system and work restraint lanyards were employed to ensure GG Glass operatives were securely restrained from accessing open edges.
  5. Installation of New Unit:
    The new glazing unit was manoeuvred externally and carefully installed. All pressure plates and capping were reinstalled to complete the process.

Key Deliverables

  • Safety & Efficiency: The project was completed with an uncompromising focus on safety and operational efficiency.
  • Access Solutions: Effective access was achieved in locations where traditional methods proved infeasible.
  • Minimised Disruption: Comparable installation quality was delivered without requiring road closures, unlike conventional access methods.
  • Collaborative Working: The use of portable anchorage systems facilitated seamless collaboration between MAE technicians and GG Glass operatives.
  • Cost & Time Savings: Significant savings were realised compared to the deployment of conventional scaffolding methods.

Outcome

MAE Solutions successfully collaborated with GG Glass to deliver a safe, efficient, and high-quality glazing unit installation. By integrating advanced rope access methods alongside traditional working-at-height techniques, the project achieved exceptional results at a significantly reduced cost, reinforcing the value of innovative, bespoke access solutions.