Aug 30, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Looking for portable access mats that are used to support heavy machinery during construction or oil drilling operations? Look no further! GFI Solutions’ drilling mats are manufactured to provide you with matting solutions that are safe, durable and affordable. Whether you need to build a portable road over unstable terrain or create a passage to a pipeline, GFI’s access solutions will help you pave the way. Read on to learn more about our matting solutions!
Protect The Land, The Machinery and The Crew
Operations on biochemical and petrochemical worksites can cause severe damage to the environment as chemical spillage can destroy habitats, kill wildlife or even contaminate vital resources in the food chain. Using drilling mats on the worksite protects the land from any toxic materials.
Drilling mats also help protect your machinery and workers, no matter the circumstances. Whether the terrain is wet, muddy or simply unstable, on-land drilling mats will help protect your equipment and support heavy machinery. Companies in the mining industry also prefer the use of drilling mats as they provide a safe and solid terrain for easier storage of equipment and materials.
Canadian weather can also negatively affect your crew. Wetlands or ice surfaces create an unsafe work environment where your workers are prone to accidents due to uneven and dangerous grounds. Drilling mats ensure your workers’ safety, regardless of the weather conditions.
Durable And Robust
Unlike regular access mats, drilling mats have a steel frame that increases their strength, enabling them to withstand heavy machinery like:
- Drilling Rigs
- Oil Rigs
- Pumps
- Compressors
- Storage Tanks
- And more!
Cost-Effective
At GFI Solutions, we understand that projects can require a large number of mats to cover the area of a worksite, which is why we offer our partners our cost-effective Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats. Our CLT mats are built using Southern Yellow Pine wood, which is 30% harder than most common wood fibre and is two-thirds the weight of traditional bolted mats. Shipping CLT access mats can save you up to 60% in transportation costs and up to 40% on installation and removal costs. With our CLT mats, you will no longer have to worry about cutting down on the number of access mats needed to fully cover the worksite.
Partner With GFI Solutions Today
Our matting solutions are designed to offer our partners top-notch quality at an affordable price. Partner with GFI Solutions and request a quote for your upcoming project.
Aug 17, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Are you in the market for new access matting solutions, but you’re tired of plowing through your budget on costly mats that barely last through your project? TerraLam Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are here to take the pressure off your shoulders and budget. As the latest innovation in site access, TerraLam CLT mats have quickly made themselves an industry favourite due to their heavy-duty performance and lengthy lifespan. TerraLam mats provide more than affordability and endurance; they’re also leading the way in environmental consciousness. At GFI Solutions, we are proud to provide our clients with a range of sustainable access solutions for their pocketbooks and the environment. Learn more about some of the environmental benefits of TerraLam access mats below!
Mats Provide Environmental Protection
TerraLam Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are manufactured in such a way that makes them significantly more environmentally friendly than traditional bolted mats. Some of the benefits of CLT mats are as follows:
- CLT mats are made from sustainably sourced Southern Yellow Pine.
- Hugh impact resistance and durability make CLT mats have a 3-5 times longer lifespan than bolted mats.
- The adhesive that’s used to bond the mats together is eco-friendly.
- They’re fast and simple to install or remove.
- Due to the lightweight nature of CLT mats, shipping costs are significantly reduced
- Weather-resistant, and more.
Alongside being manufactured environmentally sustainable, CLT mats can also help prevent organic and chemical cross-contamination. Oils, fluids, and other chemicals that are a part of your operation can have permanent and damaging effects on the land around your project site. Access mats act as a barrier between your equipment and the ground below, significantly reducing the risk of cross-contamination. As long as your mats are thoroughly cleaned regularly and before moving to a new site, they’ll protect your crew, equipment, and the ecosystem.
CLT mats are significantly easier and more affordable to clean as they don’t use bolts that can carry significant amounts of buildup. At GFI, we are proud to offer a range of site access services, including mat washing. We have four mat washers that operate simultaneously to ensure over 2,000 mats a day are fully bleached and sanitized before moving on to their next job.
Recycling CLT Mats
With the extended lifespan of TerraLam CLT access mats, you won’t have to worry about recycling your broken-down mats for some time. However, even the most robust mat will need to be replaced or safely disposed of over time. Luckily CLT mats are more accessible and more environmentally friendly to dispose of than traditional bolted mats. Since CLT mats don’t have any bolts once they’re removed from service, they can be recycled in various ways. Some popular options include livestock bedding, mulching, or becoming a biofuel component.
Site Access Solutions at GFI
GFI Solutions is Western Canada’s leading provider of access mats, and we are proud to be a distributor of Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam products. TerraLam access products are designed with quality in mind, so contact our team today if you’re interested in renting or purchasing reliable swamp mats or access bridges.
Aug 17, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Access mats are essential in heavy industries such as drilling, power, construction, refinery, renewable energy and oil and gas industries. Worksites in such industries require robust matting solutions that can withstand the weight of heavy equipment and eliminate work hazards such as tire punctures and tripping. GFI Solutions is proud to introduce Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats that solve the most common problems found in traditional access mats. If you’re looking for access mats or oilfield rig mats for your worksite that are durable, cost-effective and safe, CLT mats are the perfect solution for you. Read on to learn more about the benefits of our CLT mats.
What are access mats/ what are rig mats
Contrary to popular belief, oilfield mats and access mats are quite different. Access mats are used to create makeshift roads and portable paths within a worksite for workers to quickly move around on uneven terrain and provide a smooth ground for cars or trucks to drive on. Oilfield mats are also a form of access mats; however, they are manufactured with a steel frame to provide support for heavy machinery. If your worksite consists of heavy equipment and extremely heavy loads, then oilfield rig mats are more beneficial for your needs. Project managers typically think of traditional bolted mats when starting a project, but we advise Cross Laminated Timber Mats (CLT) and here’s why:
1. CLT Mats are More Sturdy
CLT mats are designed to provide you with more strength than regular traditional bolted mats as they are manufactured using Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre instead of Douglas Fir. Since Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre is 30% harder than Douglas Fir, CLT mats are ideal for heavy-duty jobs.
2. CLT Mats are Cost-Effective
Engineered to provide you with the best quality at an affordable price, CLT mats weigh around 40% less than traditional bolted mats, which allows us to transport 72 mats per load. When purchasing or renting CLT mats, you can save up to 60% in transportation costs!
3. CLT Mats Time-Efficient
Because CLT mats are lighter than traditional bolted mats, more mats can fit per loader or shuttle truck, not only saving you time but also saving you up to 40% on installation and removal costs.
4. CLT Mats Eco-Friendly
All CLT mats are manufactured with sustainable forest practices as we only use Southern Yellow Pine wood that is grown to maturity in 20 years, unlike Oak, which is grown to maturity in 100. CLT mats are also manufactured using eco-friendly adhesive to bond the planks together.
Which Mats Do I Need For My Site?
Managing a project on a large worksite may require different mats for specific areas. If you’re unsure as to which mats your worksite requires, our experts are ready to help. With GFI Solutions’ planning and consulting services and inventory management, you’ll always be prepared. Our services also include:
- Turn-Key Services
- Manufacturing
- Delivery and Installation
- Mat Washing
Ready to Get Started?
Contact our experts today to learn more about our CLT mats and different matting solutions!
Aug 11, 2022 | Access Mats, News
GFI Solutions is proud to present you Calgary’s best choice for rig mats; Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats. Our TerraLam mats are a comprehensive solution for all your matting needs. The access mats are engineered to be lightweight, robust and cost-effective and come in different sizes to fit your matting needs.
At GFI Solutions, we cater to our customers’ needs beyond simply supplying you with rig mats. Our matting expertise and excellent customer support will help you keep your project in scope. Learn more about our matting services below:
Inventory Management
In heavy industries such as the oil & gas industry, the use of access mats is necessary to support heavy equipment like cranes and rigs during the production process. The possibility of our CLT/bolted mats undergoing damage is slim, but possible, which is why we offer you the inventory management service to ensure the availability of access mats anytime you need them. We will work with you to ensure that an abundance of mats is available for any foreseeable problem.
Mat Washing
Spillage in the oil & gas industry happens more often than not, causing decay and damage to your mats from harmful substances. In order to increase the longevity of your access mats, we provide mat washing services to thoroughly clean your mats. Mat washing removes the risk of contamination and erosion to the hardwood, lengthening the lifespan mats and protecting your job sites.
Planning and Consultation
Whether you choose CLT or bolted mats, GFI Solutions offers you planning and consultation services to help you design the layout of your upcoming project. To ensure smooth production, our team of experts will work closely with you to plan and provide consultation on the number of mats needed, the placement of the temporary road and the emergency stock required. Our goal is to make sure the production process goes as smoothly as possible.
Manufacturing and Support
All our mats are manufactured in-house, allowing us to provide you with customized matting solutions if needed. We also offer the following standard options:
- TerraLam® 300 – 8” x 14 long
- TerraLam® 500 – 8” x 16” long
- TerraCross® 700 – Spans Gap of 35′, Total system is 40′
At GFI Solutions, our team of experts is available for service and support 24/7, making sure all your matting needs are met instantly.
Ready to learn more?
Contact our team of experts today and request a quote for available rig mats in Calgary.
Aug 11, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Is your worksite prepared for this year’s sudden rainy summer weather?
Since May’s long weekend, Alberta’s seen heavy hails, thunderstorms and strong rain showers that have affected the terrain and caused uneven grounds throughout all worksites. Days that start out bright and sunny often turn cloudy, creating a light drizzle that seeps through the soil and leaves the landscape wet and muddy. With uneven and soft terrain, transporting materials and excavating grounds can be highly hazardous to your machinery and crew, especially if Alberta’s weather conditions affect your current access matting options.
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) worksite access mats will ensure the safety of your worksite and maintain the efficiency of your workflow. Customers in the power, oil & gas, forestry and construction industries rely on CLT products as their leading source for expert matting options. Read on to learn more about the numerous benefits of GFI Solutions’ temporary worksite access mats.
What Are CLT Mats?
Before diving into the benefits of CLT mats, we’ll quickly explain what CLT mats are and how they differ from traditional bolted mats. CLT mats are manufactured using a novel approach that engineers stronger and safer worksite mats than bolted mats. Instead of bolting planks of traditional Douglas Fir together, CLT mats are manufactured using Southern Yellow Pine wooden planks that are adhered together using an eco-friendly adhesive. This process makes CLT mats more flexible than bolted mats, allowing even distribution of weight throughout the entire surface and reducing the risk of breakage that might occur from concentrating the weights on the bolts instead of the mat.
Types of CLT mats
Given the strength of CLT mats, they are used in several matting options, including:
Worksite mats are generally used to create temporary roads over uneven grounds for workers and machinery to move seamlessly in and out of a job site. These mats are manufactured to handle a wide range of weights and can be customized to fit your worksite’s matting needs.
Rig mats or crane mats are very similar to access mats, but they are steel-framed to be primarily used for extremely heavy loads. For those working in the oil and gas or construction industry, rig mats are specially designed to carry heavy machinery like cranes, excavators, wheel loaders, track loaders, etc.
Portable access bridges are used in worksites that require crossing water, ditches and other environmental hazards that can hinder your workflow. TerraCross bridges are lightweight, can be delivered on a single truck and installed in as little as a couple of hours. Specs include:
TERRACROSS 40:
- Weight Limit: 100 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 35′
- Total Length: 40′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
TERRACROSS 56:
- Weight Limit: 65 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 50′
- Total Length: 56′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
GFI Solutions: Your Exclusive Source For Matting Solutions
We are proud to be the sole Canadian distributor of Sterling Solutions’ range of access matting products, including their 300 and 500-model access mats, bridges and more! Contact our team today to rent or buy temporary access mats.
