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 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!
May 3, 2024 | Access Mats
Construction sites often present challenging conditions, with rough terrain and unpredictable weather. And, ensuring the safety of workers and equipment is a top priority here. Access mats, also known as ground matting, play a vital role in construction areas. Why? Because these sturdy mats provide a temporary pathway to and from the construction site. Plus, they offer many other benefits that enhance the overall efficiency and safety of the project.
Today, we will explore 3 big reasons why construction sites need access mats
Temporary Roadways
One of the most common uses of access mats on construction sites is for building temporary roadways. Many times, construction projects take place in areas with rough or unstable terrain and simply getting to this job site can be a huge challenge. The challenge can be double when it is about transporting heavy materials and equipment. This is when access mats come to the rescue.
These sturdy mats can act as a stable foundation – allowing you to create temporary roadways, staging yards, drilling pads, and more. Using these superb-quality mats, you can safely drive to the work site, even in the most remote or rugged locations. And, there’s more! They also provide a safe, stable surface for workers to walk and operate to enhance job site safety.
Anti-Slip Walkway Matting Ensures Safety
On construction sites, safety should always be the top priority. There are numerous potential hazards and risks and it’s very crucial to take every precaution to protect workers from accidents. Anti-slip access matting is really beneficial in this context. They provide a secure and stable walking surface, even in wet or slippery conditions.
Using these heavy-duty access mats, workers can move around the job site with confidence. They know that the matting beneath their feet has a high-traction surface designed to prevent slips and falls. This extra grip can be a lifesaver, especially in areas where spills or moisture are common.
Protecting the Environment
Construction sites can have a significant impact on the surrounding environment, especially when heavy machinery is involved. The constant movement of vehicles and equipment – all of these can lead to soil erosion and disrupt the delicate microbial balance of the area. But, access mats provide a layer of protection that can help mitigate these environmental concerns.
Access mats create a temporary foundation over rugged terrain. They act as a barrier between your crew, equipment and the ground. This simple yet effective solution helps prevent accidental cross-contamination and potential damage to the environment you’re working in.
Top-quality access mats are eco-friendly, both in their manufacturing process and their ability to facilitate site recovery after project completion. This minimizes long-term environmental impact.
Since this matting solution protects the environment during construction, they can significantly cut down on costly remediation needed after the project. The good news is – it saves time and money in the long run.
Bottom Line
At GFI Solutions LTD, we understand the challenges of running construction projects on unstable or difficult terrain. That’s why we offer a wide range of access mat solutions to help you safely transport heavy loads across even the toughest grounds.
Our access mats come in various sizes, but the typical dimensions are 8 feet by 14 feet, with a thickness of 5 inches. However, we can custom-build mats to suit the specific requirements of your project.
We take pride in offering our customers a diverse selection of access mats for rent or purchase. Our inventory includes:
3-ply SiteSafe™ CLT Access Mats
5-ply SiteSafe™ CLT Access Mats
7-ply SiteSafe™ CLT Access Mats
Traditional Bolted Access Mats
We use innovative Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) technology to manufacture access mats that are 3 to 5 times stronger than traditional bolted mats. Plus, our CLT access mats are made with an environmentally safe adhesive.
CLT access mats are the industry standard for exceptional safe site access solutions, and they boast a lifespan that’s three to five times longer than traditional bolted mats.
Explore our products now! We also offer delivery, installation, mat washing, 24/7 customer service, and more! Call us to discuss your needs!
Apr 10, 2024 | Access Mats
When faced with the reality of navigating through rugged landscapes such as mud, swamps, or uneven terrain, access mats emerge as the unsung heroes of construction. But with various access mat grades available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This post will break down the different access mat grades, explaining their basic details to ensure you select the proper access mat for your project.
#1 Grade A Mats
Grade A mats look like new but are used. They typically have minimal field use and negligible wear and tear, Grade A mats retain their original shape and structural integrity. All boards, nuts and bolts are fully in tact. Apart from investing in new access mats, Grade A mats are the next best option. They offer unmatched durability and reliability, making them the superior choice among other used options.
#2 Grade B Mats
Grade A and Grade B mats are pretty similar in appearance but not equally matched. Grade B mats are still structurally sound but will have moire wear and tear than a A grade access mat. While these mats may have slight cosmetic variations, their strength and functionality remain unaffected. So, don’t let the visual inadequacies of Grade B mats fool you. Despite showing some wear & tear, Grade B mats retain their fundamental qualities – stability and load capacity – making them a reliable option for most projects. Opting for Grade B mats can prove to be a savvy cost-saving strategy, particularly if you intend to utilize tracked equipment.
#3 Grade C Mats
This type of mat may be missing top boards, nuts, bolts and typically does not have all four corners in tact. Grade C mats are often used as a budget-friendly solution for projects requiring less capacity. Many projects need various layers of matting. Grade C mats can also be used in such scenarios as base layers.
Now that you better understand access mat grades, you’re well-equipped to choose the perfect solution for your project’s specific needs. Whether you require the top-tier performance of Grade A mats or the cost-effective functionality of Grade C, GFI Solutions LTD offers a comprehensive selection of access mats for sale. From traditional bolted access mats to specialized options like CLT access mats, our team of experts is here to guide you toward the optimal choice for your project’s success.
We have decades of experience helping clients overcome challenging terrain using our access mats. Our experts work hand in hand with clients to assist them in finding the optimum solution for their project. Contact us today to discuss your access matting requirements and experience the difference our products and expertise can make.
Feb 19, 2024 | Access Mats
Are you tackling a large civil construction project? If so, you’re likely familiar with the challenges posed by uneven terrain and environmentally sensitive work areas. Navigating heavy machinery across rocky landscapes or constructing temporary roadways can be daunting tasks.
If you’re grappling with these challenges and in need of a durable access solution, consider SiteSafe Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) mats. Unlike traditional options, SiteSafe CLT access mats offer superior strength, durability, and affordability. They provide reliable ground protection, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination.
Curious about SiteSafe CLT mats and their applications? Look no further – today’s blog has all the answers you need.
What Are SiteSafe Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Access Mats, and How Are They Built?
CLT Timber access mats SiteSafe CLT Timber access mats are crafted from layers of wood bonded perpendicular to one another using a robust environmentally friendly adhesive. This process results in resilient solid access mats that outperform conventional bolted access mats. Once installed, these access mats create stable surfaces for temporary roads, right of ways, staging areas, and or work pads on sites with uneven or unstable terrain.
SiteSafe CLT construction mats unergo rigorous quality assurance tests to measure the durability and strength of the adhesive bond, ensuring that they are safe enough to be used on job sites for access and ground protection.
Benefits of SiteSafe CLT Access Mats at Construction Job Sites
Although GFI continues to provide traditional bolted access mats for temporary road access and heavy equipment navigation on construction sites, SiteSafe CLT heavy equipment mats and construction mats offer a compelling alternative. Not only are they sustainably built to align with forest practices, but they also boast superior durability, strength, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
Recent research indicates that SiteSafe CLT access mats can yield significant savings, reducing installation and removal expenses by up to 40% and transportation costs by 60% compared to conventional options. Additionally, CLT access mats provide enhanced ground protection where needed, surpassing the performance of traditional bolted mats on job sites.
Is It Possible to Repair SiteSafe Cross-Laminated Timber Access Mats?
SiteSafe CLT access mats are deployed to stabilize unstable terrain on construction sites, such as rocky slopes, muskeg, soil, creeks, and swamps, ensuring safe and stable temporary road access or support for heavy equipment. Despite their resilience, there is a possibility of damage when tracked equipment is driven over them. However, any such damage can be easily repaired by skilled crews using appropriate tools, swiftly and securely.
Can SiteSafe CLT Access Mats be Reused at Different Construction Sites?
Indeed, SiteSafe Cross-Laminated Timber access mats, being a single solid piece of wood, offer a simpler cleaning process compared to traditional bolted access mats with gaps. Moreover, when a SiteSafe CLT mat reaches the end of its lifespan, it can be repurposed in versatile ways, such as serving as livestock bedding, contributing to biofuel production, or acting as a ground surface for mulch.
In Conclusion
Ready to adopt this durable access solution? If so, look no further! At GFI Solutions LTD, we specialize in providing SiteSafe CLT access matting solutions tailored to your needs. Whether your project involves construction, oil and gas, pipeline, mining, or any other industry, we’ve got you covered with custom sizing options. Whether you require 10 access mats for ground stabilization or 10,000 mats, with our large fleet of equipment, skilled crews, and quality products GFI Soltuions ensures a swift and safe execution.
As a matter of fact, GFI boasts the largest fleet of CLT and traditional bolted 8’ x 14’ access mats for sale in Canada. Don’t hesitate – reach out to our team today or request a quote to kickstart your project with confidence!
