Author: Chris

Why are High-Speed Doors so popular?

by Chris

High-speed doors are becoming more popular in many high traffic commercial buildings because they allow for easier transport of goods and materials, which ultimately saves time. They are also much less costly to operate than traditional swing or sliding doors. The biggest benefit though is that the use of high-speed doors allows businesses to accommodate an increased amount of foot traffic which can lead to greater profits through increased revenue.

What are the benefits of high-speed doors for business owners?

Well, let’s say you’re operating a factory or manufacturing facility with different areas requiring different temperatures, such as in food production, it’s essential to have high-speed doors! This is because the people working in these areas must be able to easily access them without having to worry about opening separate doors for each section. This can lead to huge manufacturing delays.

Having large, high-speed doors allows businesses to process larger amounts of production faster than traditional swing or sliding door setups which can save them both time and money. The use of high-speed rolling doors also eliminates the need for personal ID badges or security card swipes which saves companies even more time. Many business owners who opt for this type of solution often find that they are much more productive as well!

What kinds of benefits do high-speed doors offer manufacturers?

Well, manufacturers benefit greatly from an increase in productivity due to employees not having to waste time opening and closing doors. They are able to focus more on the work they were hired for, which can result in a positive impact on their bottom line. Manufacturing is very time-sensitive; with high-speed doors, you can make your process much more efficient!

High-speed doors also allow companies to save money by eliminating the need for safety matting or foot pedals. In turn, this can keep workplace injuries down and workers compensation claims low. This results in less lost time due to injuries, repairs needed due to dropped objects, and less liability for manufacturers who choose this type of solution.

You also have to consider other advantages like security. High-speed industrial doors are built to stand the test of time and they are very secure. Before purchasing, make sure the door you choose is 100 per cent solid and dependable. Doors with universal electric strikes are also available for those doors needing auxiliary locks or alarms.

High-speed doors can be customized to your needs and specifications. All you need to do is ask the manufacturer or call on Industrial Door Specialists!  When it comes time to purchase a new high-speed door consider reading reviews and asking similar businesses operating in your niche. Word of mouth is so important because you can then take some comfort before parting with your money, knowing you’re making a worthwhile investment in your business.

Ratchet Straps: Unrivalled versatility

by Chris

Ratchet straps are obviously very good for hoisting heavy loads. They’re strong and durable, and often far less expensive than a specially-built hoist rig. Many people use them to lift a camper top off a vehicle or suspend a load temporarily. Or to tighten goods on the back of a van! They’re so useful and it’s fair to say that many tradespeople would be lost without them!

It’s common for people to purchase ratchet straps, only to use them once for a specific project and then let them sit and collect dust in the garage. Ratchet straps might be some of the most commonly used for one-time purposes and nothing more. In many cases, this is a real waste of a resource. Ratchet straps are more versatile than you might think, and they have several secondary uses – both within the steel workplace and outside it. Here are a few of their hidden benefits.

Even if you do occasionally use ratchet straps for a specific purpose, there’s no doubt that the majority of the time they’re simply sitting in your garage, ready to be uncoiled and used when necessary. If this is the case, it might be helpful to know how else you can put them to use around the garage or garden! One such way is by securing stepladders and trolleys in place. Even without metal fittings on one end, ratchet straps can work miracles at keeping these items in place. Simply attach each strap around the ladder rungs or load-bearing surface of a trolley and securely fasten with a buckle. Obviously, make sure the ratchet strap is pulled tight before you do this to avoid slippage. It’s worth investing in a second pair of hands to help with these tasks if possible, just to keep everything straight.

If you’re hoping to use your straps for more specific projects around the home, it’s always good practice to find out which type of load each strap can handle. The general rule is that the higher the load-bearing capacity, the thicker and heavier-duty the ratchet strap. If you want something like garden furniture secured to your garage wall, make sure you use straps with a high load rating (easily found by checking online). Not only will this ensure they last longer but it makes them safer too – there’s no point strapping heavy items to something that isn’t up to the job.

When deciding what straps you need, one of the most important factors is usually the length. If they’re too short for your needs it’s not worth getting them in the first place, but if they’re too long they’ll only be a waste of money and require constant rethreading when in use. Most ratchet straps will list their maximum load capacity alongside their dimensions so it’s easy to find matching lengths. You can also ask lifting specialists a few questions as they will tell you which lengths to get depending on how much weight is involved (the strap size doubles with each additional kilo). Always make sure that whatever item your straps are holding is secure before tightening them – you don’t want it sliding out of the straps!

How to tighten ratchet straps?

Tightening ratchet straps is actually very simple. The principle is to slowly pull on one end of the strap while keeping a firm hold of the other end. This will make the strap gradually tighten around whatever item your securing by compressing it between one part of the strap and another, in much the same way as a Chinese finger trap works. To achieve this effect you simply need to wind both ends clockwise when they’re loose.

Staying safe on a construction site

by Chris

When going onto a construction site, you must stay safe and protected and comply with the law.

Protect your head and your feet
Working on a construction site is dangerous, so a yellow hard hat must be worn to protect you from falling debris and other hazards.  Steel top-cap boots or shoes are also essential.  Suppose you did try to get onto a site without these. In that case, the likelihood is you will be sent away as you are not wearing the correct personal protective equipment  (PPE).

Be aware of your surroundings
Stay alert at all times on a construction site.  There are potential risks everywhere, and more accidents occur when people are not paying attention.

Using power tools
When using power tools, wear additional PPE like gloves and safety glasses.  We recommend also wearing earplugs so that the prolonged noise of a construction site does not damage your hearing.

What are the Benefits of Cross-Laminated Timber?

by Chris

One relatively new building material, Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), is causing waves in the construction industry in more ways than one. CLT is a prefabricated, solid engineered wood panel that is lightweight but surprisingly strong. It is also superior to traditional wood, in other ways such as fire safety, acoustics and thermal performance. What’s even better is that it is also much more eco-friendly, easy to install and non-waste generating on site, compared to steel, concrete or wood.

In Australia an entire skyscraper, the Collins House in Melbourne, has been built with CLT. CLT panels consist of multiple layers of kiln-dried lumber boards that are stacked in alternate directions and bonded with structural adhesives. Once pressed into panels, they are then cut to the desired size, including any needed openings prior to being sent onsite.

CLT is an incredible, newly developed construction material that is a superior and sustainable building material for any size structure.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Forklift

by Chris

A forklift is an incredibly useful piece of machinery to help move heavy and unwieldy items or materials from one place to another. However, there are many different types with various specifications, so you would need to consider a few things about location, what items you would be using the forklift for and any other specific needs, before buying.

Things to Consider

• Will you be using the forklift predominately outdoors or indoors?
• What type of terrain will it be on, uneven ground, or smooth surfaces?
• How high do you need it to lift?
• What is the heaviest weight of the materials it will be lifting?
• How big is the space you are operating in?
• How long would you need it to work on average?
• What is your budget?
• Do you need it short or long term?

After answering all of these questions, it should be much easier to choose the type of forklift that is best for your needs.