Eastleigh Swan Shopping Centre to double in size using SGB CUPLOK®
SGB Project Services is supplying its CUPLOK® system scaffolding on the new Swan Shopping Centre extension, at Eastleigh in Hampshire. Working with main contractor, Warings, based in Portsmouth, access will be provided throughout the construction of the new 125,000 sq ft extension, which will double the size of existing shopping centre.
The CUPLOK® system has been erected to a height of 19m, to provide general access while brickwork, cladding and render work is being carried out. SGB is also providing two public access staircases whilst the framework for the fire escapes is fitted.
The developer, PRUPIM, is investing over £24 million in the development, which when completed later this year, will result in a 350,000 sq ft contemporary open air complex – almost twice its current size – comprising a nine screen cinema and twenty-lane tenpin bowling centre alongside bars, restaurants and retail units.
SGB’s CUPLOK® scaffolding is now the world’s most widely used scaffold system and has been developed specifically to offer unrivalled safety and reliability. It is a lightweight, fully galvanised multi-purpose steel scaffold system for general access and vertical load support on a wide range of applications – including continuous façade, circular profiles, as evident on the Swan Shopping Centre project, birdcage access and staircase access. Much quicker to erect than traditional methods, it has a 'node point' or fastening method, by which four horizontals can be fastened at one time making a very rigid connection.
Chris Hicks, Operations Manager for SGB Project Services comments: "The application of CUPLOK® on the Swan Shopping Centre extension highlights the flexibility of the system. The circular profile of the building was a design specification that we were able to work with effectively, and the application of CUPLOK® in this way demonstrates its suitability for use on circular structures."
The horizontals bear directly on to the verticals and are firmly clamped by the action of the top cup. As there are no loose parts to misplace, the risk of non-SGB rogue components being mixed with the system is practically eliminated.
CUPLOK® also combines the benefits of high strength with low component weight and ease of handling, is highly damage resistant and accepts scaffold boards, battens or decking platforms and heavy duty access up to 3kN/sqm platform loading.
