Saudi Scaffolding Factory's (SSF) Powered Access (PA) Division is considered a leading supplier of access equipment in Saudi Arabia, having been involved in many of the country's most prestigious projects.

The company attributes its success to continuous efforts in providing custom-made solutions.
SSF's PA Division represents Secalt, which is claimed to be the world's leading supplier of building maintenance units (BMUs) and facade cleaning equipment. The division supplies permanent as well as temporary access equipment for facade cleaning, maintenance, construction, renovation and other purposes. Temporary cradles are also available on rental for short to medium term jobs.
The permanent access systems (also known as BMUs) comprise roof trolleys with either track-mounted or guided rail systems. The jibs can be custom-made to suit the requirements of buildings with high parapets. Most of the BMUs use the Tirak hoist ' a patented Tractel product ' which reduces the tension on the wire rope reelers.

One prestigious project in which SSF has been involved is the Faisaliah Centre, an architectural marvel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where it has installed eight different types of specially-engineered systems.
'This project is a striking example of SSF's ability to custom design, manufacture and install multiple systems for a highly demanding structure,' says a spokesman for the company.
'A special feature of the BMUs installed above the 'globe' level at the Faisaliah Centre is its telescopic jib with an offset spreader bar. This facilitates the specially-designed cradle to wrap around the corner columns and attach itself to the tracks provided on the columns. The wire ropes are kept at a constant distance from the columns by providing deviation brackets at lower levels,' he explains.
Another recent project which placed high demands on its expertise is the new headquarters for Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic).

 'At the Sabic headquarters, the design requirements ' particularly for the system installed within the twin legs of the tower ' were stringent,' he explains. 'Here, SSF designed monorails to access the side elevations as well as the connecting bridge at the ninth floor level. The BMU at the roof level has an articulated cradle which was designed to reach the 3-m recessed glass areas.'
SSF is currently installing a BMU with an articulated cradle, which has similar features, at the Abdul Kareem Commercial building in Dammam. Another installation in progress is the elegant Al Subaie Tower nearing completion in the heart of Al Khobar.

In Riyadh, the company has just installed a Venus model BMU along with Railscaff and Davit systems at the Air Defence headquarters, which is also nearing completion. SSF is now working on a hotel project for Al Sahoo on the main King Fahd Road in Riyadh. For this project, SSF designed a monorail system to suit the intricate elevation. Installation is in progress.
SSF has recently clinched a contract for the Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organisation headquarters in Riyadh. For this building, SSF has offered a BMU with an articulated spreader bar to access the angled decorative elevations. A 9-m gantry is designed for the underside of the skylight below the roof area and a sloped ladder gantry for the canopy entrance area.

Besides these projects, the PA Division has provided access solutions to some of the major government organisations such as the Royal Saudi Air Force and private projects such as the headquarters for Saudi  Ceramic and Olayan Financing, Rossais and Umam commercial complexes and the Ajlan Tower.
Other landmark projects both in progress or completed by SSF recently are: Al Binali Tower, Jeraisy headquarters, Al Subaei Tower and Al Moaibed headquarters, all in the Eastern Province and Saudi Fransi Bank, Hyatt Regency/Radisson, Al Farsi Building, Westin Hotel, Hail Center, Madina Hotel and Dar Al Tawheed Intercontinental in the Western Province.

'SSF has been in the business of access equipment for more than 15 years and has carried out more installations than any other supplier in Saudi Arabia,' the spokesman claims.
'For SSF, quality considerations are paramount, right from the conceptual stage of the design to the completion and handover phase,' he says. 'The company undertakes complete technical calculations based on the system proposed to ensure that the safety and security considerations are met. The consultants and clients with whom SSF has worked can vouch for this. SSF follows the safety norms set by Secalt while complying with European standards.'

SSF laments the reality that fly-by-night operators, who do not meet the necessary safety requirements, are entering the market. 'They do not provide proper technical or after-sales support,' he points out. 'This is a very dangerous development which clients and consultants should be aware of ' as the equipment carries people whose lives are at risk if safety parameters are not met and if the installation is not done professionally based on safety calculations. Some of the equipment offered on the market is fabricated using components from different sources and the end-product is not the result of detailed engineering.'

SSF, however, is confident that the long experience it has in providing access solutions and quality assurance will be sought after by discerning customers.
The company has recently introduced the Malmqvist mast climber system, which is recommended for high and medium-rise construction and renovation projects.
SSF's materials handling division stocks safety products related to fall protection such as harnesses, fall arrest devices, anchors-lifelines and lanyards as well as overhead trolleys for industrial uses. It also stocks Tirfor, a product designed for the lifting, pulling and positioning of heavy loads. 
The company is now planning to expand its expertise to the field of elevators and escalators to meet the growing demand in the market and keep ahead of the competition.  Expansion into neighbouring countries is also being actively considered, the spokesman says.