Installation had to be after 7pm and before 5am.
The curtains were to be mounted 6m high, over the first floor glass. The thick existing glass panels were mounted into aluminum frames that were not attached at the top, only left and right, leaving a gap for us to try a new option for mounting – channels! We manufactured a channel to fit over the customer’s mullion, and onto this channel we had pre-installed the curtain to enable quicker installation. The curtains were motorized, situated on the inside of the windows and they were very heavy. We could not get a scissor lift high enough to mount from the inside, due to the suspended ceilings, the installers had to install them from the outside, and over the top of the mullion off of platform ladders. Our biggest concern was that they would drop the units over the top and onto the floor 6m below, so we had a support team working on the inside, and they were also responsible for doing the bottom fixings.

Access to the outside was via an extension ladder through a small “hatch” which measured approximately 600 x 1000mm, to a narrow ledge. In one direction was the glass wall and the other was a glass awning, and the ledge was only wide enough for the ladder. We had to pass the ladders and awnings up to the boys working in the area in backwards order, as there was no room to maneuver.

To ensure we were doing everything to comply with Auckland Transport’s health and safety regulations a management representative was present during the first few hours of installation. No pressure!