With GEDA to the stars

GEDA 1500 Z/ZP supports work on the new roof at Planetarium Hamburg

"Heaven on earth" announces Planetarium Hamburg to its visitors – and it isn't even over-promising. On the huge dome of the former water tower the stars and the universe can be experienced with all the senses. However, this is precisely where refurbishment works are now due. The GEDA 1500 Z/ZP transport platform is transporting construction workers and their materials "to the stars".

How was planet earth created? How many stars are there? Why is everything in space dark? With over 300,000 visitors every year, a unique and diverse programme and daily "space excursions", Planetarium Hamburg provides answers to the big questions of humanity. The building located in the middle of the Winterhude city park has long been one of Hamburg's main attractions. Since it opened on 30 April 1930 the projection dome with its 20.6 m diameter has been the unsurpassed highlight of the venue as is this is where visitors can marvel at the starry sky in a unique 3D show.
However, the constantly increasing stream of visitors has made renovation work on the roof essential. In addition the previously unused base of the building is being converted to make it wheelchair-accessible and to accommodate modern catering outlets, sales areas, staff offices and function rooms. Building work is currently in full swing.

The fast and reliable transportation of materials and people up the almost 65 m high building has been entrusted to the Bavarian construction hoist manufacturer GEDA-Dechentreiter GmbH & Co.KG. GEDA's partner, the well-established company B+L Behrens+Lüneburger Baumaschinen, has leased the transport platform to the scaffolding installation company undertaking the works, Gehard Busch GmbH.

A voyage of discovery in space with the GEDA 1500 Z/ZP transport platform

The GEDA 1500 Z/ZP transport platform combines two different devices into one, namely a materials hoist and a transport platform for people and loads. In contrast to conventional materials hoists, in which the transportation of people is strictly prohibited, as soon as the GEDA 1500 Z/ZP is switched to "transport platform" mode of operation, up to seven people are also permitted to be transported, in addition to 800 kg loads.
However, it does not transport people and materials out into space but with its 100 m lifting height the transport platform can be used in a wide range of situations. The platform has a lot of space for bulky and heavy construction materials and therefore considerably improves logistics on the construction site. To meet the requirements of every different construction site situation, the customer can select from the various platform options which extend up to load capacities of 2,000 kg and the practical modular construction means that there are many different combination options. The F-Platform which is 4.35 x 1.65 x 1.1/1.8 m in size is being used at Planetarium Hamburg.
The GEDA 1500 Z/ZP transport platform is guided along two steel masts. This two-mast system has already been used successfully many times and ensures a smooth and stable travel movement. With a hoisting speed of 12 m/min in people transportation mode and 24 m/min in materials transportation mode, the transport platform is a clear winner in the harsh daily routines on a construction site and is the ideal partner for heavy loads and efficient work methods.

Challenges overcome galactically

The conditions at Planetarium Hamburg did present some particular challenges to the scaffolding and height access technology as the entire structure sits on earthworks so the transport platform had to be delivered and positioned at its place of use by a telescopic crane.
The base of the building is wider due to an arcade passage and the building design of the planetarium is also different in the upper building segment. Therefore both the scaffolding construction and also the anchorage of the transport platform had to be adjusted appropriately to the scaffolding. Working together the on-site experts also found the ideal solution to this challenge with very long fixing devices with several stiffener tubes in the horizontal and vertical axes being used – particularly in the upper area of the building. Due to the even larger distances in the gradations in the upper parts of the building, girders with additional stiffener tubes are in use.

Safe through space and time

Safety is the overriding concern on every construction site. The GEDA 1500 Z/ZP transport platform is of course equipped with the usual safety equipment such as limit switches, speed-dependent safety gear, safety stop and overload protection.
A hot dip galvanized GEDA landing level safety gate is fixed at the top exit point at a height of about 65 m in order to ensure the safe transfer between the platform and the landing.

The unobstructed view into outer space will soon be back

A cultural monument since 1981, the imposing building structure of the Hamburg Planetarium with its striking limestone pedestal, the fountain in front of it and its diverse cultural programme, is worth a journey of discovery in every season. The construction work is due to be completed in December 2013. Then amateur astronauts can once again explore the infinite expanses of space.

However, even the experts in the planetarium have no reliable answer as to what the stars divulge about our future. What is certain, however, is that once again the GEDA 1500 Z/ZP transport platform has contributed to a successful renovation of a significant structure.

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