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construction industry. But newer, more efficient alternatives are fast changing the face of cable management and providing more economical suspension solutions.


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Mark Kimberley, senior product manager at Gripple, explores how the latest innovaons in cable management can save me and costs across all building projects from residenal to commercial


A new generation


We are now seeing a greater range of options available to installers and specifiers which are much faster to install than threaded rod and chain methods. Where traditional methods require at least some element of ready- to-use kits which arrive on-site with pre-cut lengths of wire rope and fused end fittings, cutting down installation times significantly.


At Gripple we have been developing Fast Traka series of labour-saving trapeze bracket solutions which come pre-fabricated, offering speed, flexibility and efficient use of space for the installation of electrical containment as well as pipework, ductwork and other mechanical services.


The industry is increasingly moving towards off-site manufacturing and kits leading to leaner working as much of the labour associated with these installations has already been done by the manufacturer.


For example, electrical containment can quickly and easily be installed with the use of single channel hangers that spread loads across its fixing points and allow for speedy adjustment through a locking mechanism. This new generation of suspension system is suited to all mechanical building services, with load capacities of up to 250 kg that arrive on site as a ready-to-use kit.


Save time, save money


Installation times can be up to six times quicker with today’s generation of modern suspension systems. This can result in significant savings in time and labour costs which help bring a project in quicker and with less labour costs which can lead to greater profitability.


Safety first


Consequently, the less time required when installing HVAC and pipework systems means less resources used and more importantly less chance of accidents happening.


No special training is required with the installation of trapeze brackets, there is no need for a hot works permit and as


or many years, threaded rod has been the go-to suspension method in the installation of electrical services in the


installation times are so much shorter, there is much less time needed to work at height. All of which contribute to safer installations.


Zero waste


Pre-engineering not only makes installation quicker but ready-to-use solutions produce zero waste and require less storage space.


Opting for systems that are made to the correct size at point of


manufacture and arrive on-site ready to install without the need to cut on site is fast becoming one of the best ways to quickly and easily improve a business’ green credentials. When products arrive at site at the exact lengths required for each project it means no cutting and no waste generated on site. Look out for products which are BIM-ready to ensure items have been specified for the exact requirements of the project. This not only saves time on site it leads to more accurate and resourceful use of materials.


The increased use of BIM has consequences that reach far beyond individual projects, and boosted by inclusion in public sector builds, has done much to reduce waste across the construction industry and lessen the amount of landfill.


Keep it tight


For awkward angles or areas where ceiling height is restricted, look for a system which can be easily accessed and adjusted. For example, rectangular ducts and plenum boxes may benefit from systems which utilise vertical adjustments and can be altered before the load is applied, allowing maximum preparation on the ground and minimising time spent at height. Gripple has also developed fire- resistant suspension that incorporates the option to multi-tier the channel to maximise space in restricted areas. The Trapeze Plus FR retains all the time and labour savings, with the reassurance of being BRE fire rated in accordance with BS476.


It’s easy being green


Forward thinking companies that want to stay ahead of the game are investing in R&D to develop cutting edge innovations that improve the efficiency of their products and production methods to ensure the leanest and most effective solutions. For example, Gripple’s Fast Trak brackets are made with just 20 grams of zinc which replaces several kilos of threaded rod and our wire rope suspension systems have 95% less steel. These smaller, lighter solutions require less transport movements which can greatly reduce the carbon footprint with reduced mileage. Traditional suspension solutions such as threaded rods are supplied in three metre lengths, meaning delivery is often facilitated by 30 foot articulated lorries. New solutions are supplied as ready-to-use kits in compact cardboard boxes – often 30cm square in size – meaning the vehicle movement requirement is reduced significantly.


For every metre of newer, innovative products that replace threaded rod, a saving of around 0.9kg of embodied carbon is made, a saving of up to 95%,


10 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2020


CABLE MANAGEMENT Slicker, smarter cable management options


which is hugely significant as the built environment currently accounts for around 33% of the country’s embodied carbon.


Switching to more lightweight rope suspension systems that are more easily transported can also create savings that convert directly into quantifiable data which can be used as evidence in BREEAM assessments to earn BREEAM credits.


A smarter future for suspension


While threaded rod and other more traditional methods of suspension have been stalwarts of the construction and engineering scene for many years, leaders and decision makers in the industry are increasingly turning to the new generation of faster, smarter, safer and greener products that are even more efficient than their predecessors. New products are constantly being developed and work alongside other industry innovations such as BIM which are transforming the face of engineering into a more efficient and profitable trade.


For more information about Gripple’s cable management and suspension systems visit www.gripple.com or call 0114 275 2255.


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