Fencing for a football facility

Name of fabricator: CLD Fencing Systems and Wallbank Fencing
Galvanized by: Joseph Ash Bilston
End client: Abu Dhabi Sport’s Council
Finish provided: Hot dip galvanizing
Size and amount of steel: 25 tonne

Project goals
A new facility opened in Abu Dhabi to provide world class football training for aspiring players. Different types of bespoke fencing for eight five-a-side pitches was required for the new state-of-the-art football facility. The fencing requirements were as follows:

• They needed to be adaptable, strong and robust
• Have the ability to separate the eight pitches and prevent balls entering play in other pitches.
• Integral goal mouths to help reduce space in the complex.
• Able to withstand the harsh environment of weather in such a hot location.

What happened
As the largest manufacturer and supplier of rigid mesh fencing systems and security gates in the UK, CLD Fencing Systems, was called in for the project.

They manufactured fences ranging from:

• Dulok Sports: a double wire fencing system with twin 8mm horizontal wires offering a strong fencing panel to prevent damage from impact.
• Ball Stop Netting: which provides a low-cost solution to pitch demarcation that can be used to heights of 8m.
• Lockmaster Swing Gates: offering a secure entry and exit system to each pitch.

To protect the fences from the harsh environmental conditions, CLD Fencing Systems asked Joseph Ash Galvanizing to provide them with a hot dip galvanized finish.

Wallbank Fencing project managed the job on-site in Abu Dhabi.

Materials and size
The project involved 25 tonnes of steel.

Outcome
Stewart Plant, Director of Marketing from CLD Fencing said: “As the fences would end up over 5,000 kilometres away, there was no room for manufacturing error. The project had to be perfect first time. We chose Joseph Ash Galvanizing to protect the steel because we knew they would be a reliable partner and deliver a first-class service.”

Rob Nelson, Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Bilston said: “As a UK company, we’re regularly galvanising steel for motorways, infrastructure, railways, and buildings up and down the country and it’s great to see our work as we travel. It’s exciting to work on projects that also end up in distant locations too however, so it was great to assist CLD Fencing Systems on this job.”

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Name of fabricator: A.W. Jeffreys
Galvanized by: Joseph Ash Medway
End client: Chepstow Racecourse
Finish provided: Hot dip galvanizing and powder coating
Size and amount of steel: 100 metres of steel railings and gates

Project goals
In late 2010/early 2011 Chepstow Racecourse wished to install a set of gates and a railing system to manage crowds for their new outdoor communal area. They turned to architectural metalwork specialist A.W. Jeffreys for help.

What happened
A.W. Jeffreys was appointed to design and install a railing system and gates. To ensure the metalwork would benefit from long-term protection from the elements, they turned to Joseph Ash Medway for steel finishing treatments including hot dip galvanizing and powder coating.

During the design process, A. W. Jeffreys collaborated with Joseph Ash Medway to ensure all of the fabricated elements – some as long as 3.2 metres – would be able to fit the galvanizing facility. For the project, A.W. Jeffreys produced a bespoke range of curved and straight metallic elements that were specifically designed for purpose.

Materials and size
Steel gates and over 100 metres of steel railings

Outcome
Completed in March 2011, the Chepstow Racecourse project stands as a perfect example of what can be achieved when a fabricator and steel finishing specialist works together.

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Name of fabricator: Metal Dynamics 
Galvanized by: Joseph Ash Galvanizing
End client: Private home
Finish provided: Shot blasting, hot dip galvanizing and powder coating
Size and amount of steel: The full railings weighed in at 240kg and were 815mm high by 5995mm in length.

Project goals
As Metal Dynamics are known for their workmanship and quality, they were engaged by the homeowners of a property in Wimbledon who wanted some railings for the front of their garden. The clients wanted something different and commissioned Metal Dynamics to produce something new and beautiful.

What happened
Lee Richardson and Matt Aldhouse at Metal Dynamics set to work designing and fabricating the railings from mild steel creating 80 x 80 x 3mm box sections for the top and bottom bar and posts, and 50 x 50 x 3mm ERW box sections for the infill bars. All the infill box sections were internally vented, ready for the next stage of the process: steel protection.

Workmanship this striking needs to be protected from the elements. This can be achieved by applying a long-life, low-maintenance galvanised coating which safeguards steel from atmospheric attack. For this part of the process, Metal Dynamics booked Joseph Ash Medway – who they use for the majority of their steel protection – to shot blast, galvanize and powder coat the steel.

Materials and size
The railings were fabricated from mild steel. 80 x 80 x 3mm box sections were created for the top and bottom bar and posts, and 50 x 50 x 3mm ERW box sections for the infill bars.

The full railings weighed in at 240kg and were 815mm high by 5995mm in length.

Outcome
The final railings installed by Metal Dynamics and the client was very happy.

Lee Richardson at Metal Dynamics said, “We are very pleased with the finished job and how these railings look. It is nice to do something a bit different. We have been using Joseph Ash for our galvanized and powder coated metal work for many years and the quality of their work is very good.”

Tim Palmer at Joseph Ash Medway said: “We have treated a number of projects for Metal Dynamics and we’ve always admired the steelwork they send to us. It was a pleasure to work on these railings for Lee and Matt and it’s great to see photos of the finished steel at its final destination. The railings look particularly impressive. Definitely an ace job for their Wimbledon customers!”

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