Where aesthetics and safety meet

A project like the new library of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) has a unique appearance. To maintain that appearance, maintenance and cleaning are indispensable elements. But how do you safely reach all the elements of the impressive atrium or the art facade? Sales manager Jan Kwanten of Eurosafe explains.

Eurosafe sets up permanent fall protection for working at heights and in confined spaces. And around that, so much more. "We work from the philosophy of the Safety Circle®. We start with a Risk Inventory & Evaluation and work that out in a Plan of Action. This is followed by technical specifications. We install and certify everything, provide education and training as well as inspect and test annually."

Atrium and ornamental facade

At UvA's new library, Eurosafe provided a safe method of maintaining the impressive glass canopy of the atrium: from cleaning and maintenance to inspection. On the facade behind the enormous bronze artwork, Eurosafe therefore installed a wash ladder. The flat roofs of the building were fitted with fall protection. "We provide a safe infrastructure for getting and staying at height. In the case of this library, the roof has a very special design," Kwanten said. "It has sloping surfaces and yet we want maintenance and service workers to feel comfortable and safe when they have to work there. So we installed the infrastructure of our rails so that you have a good walking route and proper access. That's sometimes trial and error."

Aesthetics and safety

Architects come up with the most beautiful facades and atrium roofs, Kwanten observes. "Wonderful when history and aesthetics are preserved: in such a project, old building and new construction are united. But even with iconic objects like these, accessibility remains very important." An architect naturally wants to guard as many architectural lines as possible. "That's why in this project we worked in such a way as not to affect the sightlines. For the roof, we came up with an aesthetic solution that is practically invisible, even from the inside. The rail runs all the way along the profile." A mock facade makes glass washing easy, Kwanten points out. "Behind it, you can keep the washing ladder out of sight, so nothing is visible from the outside." 

Transportation by mutual agreement

Eurosafe worked with Buiting Machinebouw and Staalconstructie to combine as much of the work as possible before transportation to the site. "Before construction we already had a lot of contact, for example about the atrium roof. A steel structure was installed by Buiting. This construction is needed for the attachment of the rail systems that we mount to work safely on the glass canopy."

Eurosafe arrives on site the moment the complete steel structure and glass panels are assembled. "On site, it is a matter of putting together our construction kit. In this way we work together efficiently. To get this done, good communication between all parties on a project like this is indispensable. Our engineer was therefore in constant contact with cooperation partners. That's how you get the best result! The supply of all building materials is by water. This means that Eurosafe only needs to arrive on site with tools. Certainly nice for an inner-city project."