Haulotte on campus in UAE

The first phases of the construction of the new campus of UAE University have been completed with the help of a fleet of Haulotte access platforms supplied by United Equipment Rentals.

The project, being carried out by Oger International, is worth Dh.1.5 billion and is situated in Al Ain on the edge of the city of Dubai. It will consist of a total built up area of 53000 m² with numerous structures spread across the campus.

Work on the new campus started in 2007 and all phases are due for completion by 2011. Structures include accommodation for 25000 students, an Olympic size swimming pool, gymnasium, lecture halls, laboratories and a 'Great Hall' building including basement parking facilities and ground floor with a sloping roof structure auditorium. There is also a mosque.

With maximum building heights of 15 m (6 storeys) and with work progressing on several buildings at the same time, the contractors deployed the fleet of access equipment for the large amount of finishing work that had to be done.

For example, in constructing of the Olympic size swimming pool hall, Haulotte's HA260PX articulated access platforms and H18SX scissor lifts were used for fixing roofing components as well as for installing the air-conditioning ducting. The large platform on the H18SX makes it possible to handle and install unwieldy components such as sections of ducting.

The 16.2 m reach of the Haulotte HA260PX boom and its 25.6 m working height were key considerations when carrying out electrical installations and in finishing the exterior surfaces. They were used extensively on the lecture and laboratory buildings.

Haulotte H25TPX units were used to help fix windows and with other finishing work on the highest building on the site - the accommodation units. The H25TPX has a maximum working height of 25.3 m, a maximum outreach of 17.4 m and payload capacity of 230 kg.

Mr Giovanni Gulli, project director for Oger said, "Access work platforms are critical to the works. They are used for all finishing works on the exterior walls. The reach they provide allows finishing work to be done while excavation works are still proceeding at ground level.

"Although we are using some scaffolding, AWPs are more flexible, provide better access, save time and are easy to move from one location to another. Safety is also important to us and we have a dedicated safety team. AWPs are proving to be extremely safe provided the operators are given the appropriate training."

Throughout the works United Equipment Rentals has two service technicians permanently on site.