Nov 24, 2024 | Access Mats
Have you ever started a project and wondered how to protect the ground from damage or make it safe for heavy equipment to move around? Do you need a strong, reliable surface for your vehicles or machinery to travel over soft or muddy ground? If so, access mats are the perfect solution.
With so many types of these mats available, how can you determine which one is best suited for your project? Should you go with a lightweight option like 3-ply CLT mats, a medium-duty choice like 5-ply CLT mats, or the heavy-duty 7-ply CLT mats? Or maybe traditional bolted mats are the best fit for your needs?
In this blog, we will help you understand the different types of access mats and what they are best suited for. Keep reading to find the perfect mats for your project and learn why they’re such a smart investment.
What Are Access Mats?
An access mat is a heavy-duty mat used to provide stable ground conditions in areas with soft, uneven, or sensitive terrain. Standard size is 8’ x 14’ and commonly made of wood, rubber, or composite materials. They are designed to support the movement and operation of heavy equipment, vehicles, and personnel. Access mats are frequently used in construction, oil and gas, utility, and environmental projects to prevent ground disturbance, reduce equipment bogging, and protect ecosystems. They also help minimize erosion and ensure safe and efficient access to work sites.
3-Ply CLT Access Mats
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) mats offer a stronger alternative to traditional bolted mats. Unlike bolted mats, where weight is distributed through the bolts, CLT mats evenly distribute weight across the entire surface due to their fully adhered board to board manufacturing process. The 3-ply version is lightweight and easy to handle, making it an excellent choice for projects requiring durability and support for heavy loads.
5-Ply CLT Access Mats
The 5-ply CLT mats are a step up in terms of strength and durability. In fact, with more layers of wood, they can handle heavier loads compared to the 3-ply mats. These mats are so strong they are used to replace steel frame rig mats and crane mats up to 8” thick.
7-Ply CLT Access Mats
For heavy-industrial projects, 7-ply CLT mats are the ideal choice. Engineered for maximum strength, these mats are built to withstand the most demanding jobs, including supporting the heaviest machinery and accommodating high-traffic areas. 7-ply CLT access mats can serve as a robust alternative to steel frame rig mats and crane mats up to 12 inches thick.
Traditional Bolted Access Mats
Traditional bolted access mats in Alberta have been around for a long time. They are manufactured by fastening 2’x8’ wooden planks together perpendicular with heavy duty bolts. This design provides exceptional strength and durability, making them ideal for projects involving heavy equipment and demanding conditions.
Which Access Mat Is Right for You?
Choosing the right access mat for your project depends on what you need. Let’s break it down to help you decide which one is best for your job.
3-Ply CLT Access Mats: Lightweight and Affordable
If your project involves heavey equipment or vehicles, 3-ply CLT mats are a great choice. These mats are:
- Lightweight: They are easy to transport as well as move around, which saves you time and effort.
- Durable: Manufactured and engineered for very heavy loads, they can handle many everyday tasks like creating a stable road, platform or ROW suitable for heavy equipment.
5-Ply CLT Access Mats: Stronger for Medium-Duty Projects
When you need a bit more strength, 5-ply CLT mats are the next step up. They offer:
- Better Durability: With more layers of wood, these mats can support heavier loads than the 3-ply version.
- Easy Handling: Even though they are stronger, they are still a lighter option than crane mats or steel frame rig mats.
7-Ply CLT Access Mats: Built for Heavy-Duty Work
For large-scale and demanding projects, 7-ply CLT mats are the way to go. Here’s why:
- Maximum Strength: With seven layers of wood, these mats are designed to handle the heaviest machinery.
- Perfect for Heavy Machinery: Whether it is cranes, large excavators, or high-traffic areas, 7-ply CLT mats can take on the toughest jobs.
Traditional Bolted Access Mats: A Reliable Classic
If you prefer something tried and tested, traditional bolted mats are worth considering. These mats:
- Offer Solid Support: They have been used for years and are strong enough for heavy equipment.
- Are Widely Available: Many industries rely on bolted mats because they have proven to be effective.
Final Thoughts
Whether you need lightweight 3-ply mats, durable 5-ply mats, heavy-duty 7-ply mats, or traditional bolted mats, we at GFI Solutions LTD are here to help. We always offer a wide range of high-quality access mats to suit all types of jobs. Besides, our mats are reliable, durable as well as designed to meet the needs of your specific project. Plus, with our excellent customer service and competitive prices, we make it easy to get the right mats for the job without hassle.
Ready to find the perfect access mats in Alberta for your project? Reach out to us today and let us help you choose the best solution for your needs!
Oct 23, 2024 | Access Mats
Whether big or small, construction projects have their share of difficulties.
One frequent problem is going over the budget. Unexpected hold-ups, damage to the ground, or heavy equipment getting stuck can all lead to extra expenses.
But what if there was an easy way to stop these issues and keep your project on schedule? Of course, there is! Access Mats – the crucial tool for construction sites. These adaptable mats can be used as temporary roads, work areas, drilling platforms, and more. They not only offer stability and protection for your site but also help you avoid expensive delays and damages.
Access mats provide temporary surfaces for vehicles and machinery to move around easily without even harming the ground. So, even if your construction site is muddy, uneven or, it needs a solid surface to run cranes or trucks – access mats are the perfect choice.
Now, take a look at how these mats can help avoid going over budget.
Prevent Expensive Ground Repairs
When large machines travel over bare/unprotected ground, they can create deep tracks, compact the soil, and harm the environment.
Fixing the ground after a project can be very costly. Using access mats helps by providing a strong, protective surface that spreads out the weight and pressure, keeping the ground safe. This reduces the need for expensive repairs at the end of the project.
Avoid Equipment Delays
When equipment gets stuck in mud or rough areas, it can mess up your project timeline. When machines stop working, progress slows and costs go up. Using access mats gives you a solid, flat surface, which lowers the chance of equipment getting stuck and lets your machines move easily, even in tough conditions.
Prevent Weather-Related Delays
Your project can’t wait on bad weather. However, rain, mud, and other conditions can make it very difficult for vehicles and workers to move around the construction site. Heavy rain and muddy conditions lead to delays, missed deadlines, and of course, increased costs.
Using access mats can eliminate this costly risk. Access mats provide a stable surface that does not get affected by the weather, allowing work to continue even in challenging conditions. Using access mats will help you stay on schedule and avoid costly downtime.
Quick Site Setup and Removal
In construction, time is valuable. Access mats are easy to install and remove, helping you quickly create temporary roads or work areas. The ease of use means you can start your project sooner and finish it faster, avoiding any extra delays that could increase costs.
Extend Equipment Life
Rough or uneven ground can harm your equipment, causing more frequent repairs or replacements. This can become costly over time. Access mats -offer a safe, flat surface for your machinery to work on. This smooth surface reduces damage to tires, engines, and hydraulic systems. As a result, the equipment lasts longer – saving you money on frequent repairs and replacements over time.
Bottom Line
If you have a project, you need to consider buying or renting the best-quality access mats for construction sites? Contact GFI Solutions LTD today!
While we offer traditional bolted douglas fir access mats we also offer many other access solutions. One of our solutions is Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats which are made using advanced Cross Laminated Timber technology. That’s why these mats are 3 to 5 times stronger when compared to bolted mats. All our access mats are extremely durable, eco-friendly, and can withstand harsh conditions.
Our standard mats measure 8 feet by 14 feet and are 5 inches thick. However, we can also create custom sizes to fit the unique needs of your construction project.
We offer both rental and purchase options for access mats including 3-layer SiteSafe™ CLT Access Mats, 5-layer SiteSafe™ CLT Access Mats, 7-layer SiteSafe™ CLT Access Mats, SiteSafe™ Rubber Access Mats, Traditional Bolted Access Mats, Rig Mats and Crane Mats.
Explore our full product range today at our website! Our experts can also guide you with installation, delivery, or cleaning services.
Call us today!
Sep 30, 2024 | crane mats
Do you or your company handle onsite projects, like commercial construction, civil construction, or renewable (wind power) energy projects? Soft, wet, or rough and uneven grounds are unstable to withstand the weight of heavy machinery during navigation. Here’s where timber crane mats are used to create a solid work foundation and support these heavy loads.
What Are Timber Crane Mats?
Crane mats are made of large timbers, used for creating strong work surfaces to withstand cranes and other heavy and large machinery navigation during construction or renewable energy, like wind-power projects. These timber crane mats are considered heavy-duty matting solutions due to their unique specifications. Here are some worth mentioning:
- Green in moisture content
- Extra thick compared to conventional timber access mats, such as 8” to 12” thick, 16′ to 40′ in length and 4′ wide
- Specially designed to support robust machines, like cranes and larger ones
Hence, when undertaking civil or commercial construction or renewable projects, it’s best to rely on timber crane mats for the best access solutions.
Advantages of Using Timber Crane Mats
First, understand in which projects you should use crane mats. We recommend it for onsite projects that require cranes and other heavier machinery. For instance:
Civil construction
Various industrial construction projects, such as building tunnels, highways, overpasses, or even dams, involve cranes and other robust machinery, where ground protection and site safety become crucial. Crane mats are the best way to create a solid work surface here as a temporary road or platform, whether in a remote area or a built environment.
Wind-power projects
Renewable energy projects, especially wind power projects, where the use of heavy machinery, such as generators, blades, and even cranes sometimes, is common for wind turbine installations. Whether the ground is firm or soft, it fails to withstand the heavy loads of these robust machinery and becomes unstable, while damaging the ground, like causing soil erosions. Crane mats distribute the weight of machinery evenly and eliminate the need for ground restoration at the end of the project.
Commercial Construction
The construction of commercial buildings also involves the use of cranes. Yet, having a solid work platform is necessary to ensure the safety of the project and crews. Soft, rough, or unstable—crane mats can be used on any work surface to provide ground protection, especially the gas and water lines below, and stability to the work platform.
Timber crane access mats not only ensure a safe environment or withstand the heavy loads of machinery, but they also offer the following benefits to this kind of project as well:
Stability
Unstable grounds, like uneven terrain and soft soil, can cause accidents, like tipped-over cranes or larger machinery. Using crane mats ensures a stable and solid work foundation so the crew can perform machinery navigation confidently, safely, and efficiently.
These crane mats are efficient at smooth weight distribution of cranes and other machinery that protects the ground below and eliminates the risks of damage to the site, plants, and roots. As a result, you can save on restoration costs while preventing soil erosion.
Durability
Timber crane mats are perfect for use on any work surface, from muddy conditions to wet ones to across streams, due to their durability to support the weight of heavy machinery for longer. In fact, crane mats made of thicker timbers can be reused in another project as well.
So, thinking of renting or buying used timber crane access mats? Count on us. At GFI Solutions, we have the best quality crane mats 4′ wide by 20′ long by 12″ thick available for rent and purchase. To ensure your equipment and crew work safely, consider it for your next project.
For more, contact us today!
Sep 12, 2024 | Access Mats
4 Amazing Ways Temporary SiteSafe™ Access Mats Keep the Site and Equipment Safe
Fall is knocking at the door, and with it, a rapidly changing climate comes here. It means you may experience rainfall or snow at any time that makes the ground soft and wet, creating challenging working conditions. Executing any project on such rough terrain, especially when it involves heavy machinery navigation and chemical transportation, becomes extremely difficult. Working across this unstable worksite is unsafe, and can cause harm to the ecosystem as well.
So, what now? Temporary SiteSafe™ Access mats are the best solution to navigate heavy machinery, even on unstable terrain, efficiently and safely. It not only protects your team present on site and in the work area but also your equipment.
Wonder how? See here.
Here’s How Temporary SiteSafe™ Access Mats Protect Equipment and Work Area
When it comes to ground protection mats for pipeline, power, construction, mining, renewables, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, or forestry and emergency response industries, you may find several options in the market. But nothing can beat temporary access mats, including traditional bolted access mats, SiteSafe™ CLT access mats, and SiteSafe™ access bridges, available from wood, steel, composite, or even a combination of these.
These heavy-duty temporary access mats not only protect the environment by preventing soil erosion and reducing damage to natural features but there is more beyond that:
Protecting the ground–
Woking on environmentally sensitive areas, like wetlands, agricultural sites, or other soft surfaces, can be challenging, especially for navigating heavy machinery and vehicles. With a temporary access mat, you can ensure smooth weight distribution of equipment across the worksite, which eliminates the risk of soil erosion. Above all, it reduces the necessity for extensive ground restoration after the work and preserves natural landscapes.
Accessing work platforms and roads–
To ensure machinery safely navigates the work areas, it needs a stable surface. The best way to create stable and safe work platforms or temporary roads to access the site is with temporary access mats. These mats create a solid pathway, improving machinery navigation and mobility of construction trucks without causing any damage to the ground. For short-term projects, these SiteSafe™ access mats are ideal for easy installation and removal.
Minimizing safety issues–
Safety issues for workers around the site are common in mining, construction, and oil and gas sectors, especially due to uneven surfaces. With temporary SiteSafe™ access mats, you can eliminate the risks of falls, slips, or trips. Moreover, since these access mats offer quick installation and removal, you can place them anytime, anywhere, considering the changing climate conditions and ensuring the safety of your crew.
Supporting heavy loads–
The surface of the worksite should have enough load-bearing capacity to support machinery, equipment, and heavy vehicles so they can navigate safely without breaking. But, when there are soft grounds, it’s best to create temporary flooring with access mats, specifically designed to support heavy loads and withstand the pressure, since the load spreads here over a huge surface area. As a result, the risks of ground failure are reduced.
In Conclusion
Temporary access mats are ideal to include in various industries like construction, mining, gas and oil, or even emergency response due to their functionality and safety assurance with temporary load-bearing pathways that eliminate the risks of safety hazards and ensure a stable worksite for machinery navigation.
Seeking one for your next project? At GFI Solutions, we offer temporary access solutions with our SiteSafe™ 300, 500, and 700 CLT access mats, traditional bolted mats, and even SiteSafe™ temporary access bridges (SiteSafe™ 40 and SiteSafe™ 56). All our access mats are easy to install and transport safely to a remote worksite while being affordable as well. Our access solutions are available for purchase or rent and can even be customized, as per your project needs.
Interested? Get a quote now!
Jul 15, 2024 | Swamp Mats
Let’s face it! Working in a swampy mess isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of a good time. Muddy swamp enviroments can make an easy job complicated. But don’t worry! Swamp mats can transform your muddy project field into a secure and stable workspace.
Now, have a look at some of the prime reasons why purchasing swamp mats for sale in Alberta can have a big impact on your projects.
Reason 1: Protect Your Equipment:
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges in a marshy or lopsided landscape is having stable ground for your equipment to work on. Swamp mats make a strong, secure base for labourers and equipment, guaranteeing dependability even in the most difficult conditions. By dispersing the weight of large equipment, swamp mats can prevent sinking and tipping, making your worksite safe and secure.
Reason 2: Improved Traction and Cleanliness:
Sloppy, wet, and muddy conditions can transform a productive day into a chaotic experience. However, GFI Solutions LTD has swamp mats for sale, which can significantly improve traction, making it safe and secure to explore challenging landscapes. Access mats keep everything and everybody clean and dry, guaranteeing that your workforce and workesite stay safe.
Reason 3: Cost-Effective and Lightweight:
Swamp mats are durable and cost-proficient. Their lightweight nature makes them substantially less costly to transport and ship. Also, the simple installation and removal of these mats mean you can immediately set up and dismantle your site, saving money on both time and work costs. This makes swamp mats a financially savvy answer for any undertaking, guaranteeing you stay on budget without settling on quality or security.
Reason 4. Environmental Protection:
Working in sensitive regions like wetlands requires environmentally friendly solutions. Swamp mats are intended to minimize their effect on the ground, permitting you to leave your site without a trace once your work is finished. In Alberta, GFI’s swamp mats for sale give a protective boundary between your hardware and the ground, decreasing soil compaction and forestalling harm to the ecosystem.
Reason 5: Versatile Applications:
Swamp mats are flexible and can be utilized in a large number of situations. Whether you’re working in the oil fields of North Alberta, the tidal wetlands of northwestern Canada, or some other challenging landscape, swamp mats are versatile and viable. They are ideal for making access roads, pads, right of ways and many other applications guaranteeing smooth transportation of materials and hardware.
Bottom Lines:
When it comes to finding reliable and cost-effective swamp mats for sale, GFI Solutions LTD stands out as a leading provider in Canada. You can get new swamp mats, used swamp mats and all rental choices. Our team of experts can assist you with deciding the type and amount of matting you need for your project, guaranteeing you get the best value for your investment.
So, why wait? Reach out to GFI Solutions LTD and get a quote today!
