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.
Aug 4, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Access mats are effective products that make heavy machinery transportation on unstable soil, creeks, swamps or even rocky slopes easier and safer. If you’re working in the oil and gas, refinery, construction or drilling industry, you will constantly use access mats to create movable roads for workers and machines. Access mats are a safe solution for your worksite, but if left unmaintained, access mats can cause more problems than benefits.
GFI Solutions not only offers you a wide range of access matting solutions that are suitable for all industries, but we also offer services that ensure the availability, longevity and safety of our access mats. Learn more about our safe access solutions to maintain the durability of your access mats.
Inventory Management
The most common problem with matting services is running out of stock. It is possible for either CLT mats or bolted mats to undergo damage and need a replacement; however, matting companies tend to face the problem of depleted inventory. On the other hand, GFI Solutions offers you Inventory Management Service to ensure an abundance of stock available for any foreseeable problems.
Mat Washing
Access mats not only protect your crew and machines from uneven terrain, but they also protect the landscape from harmful substances. Such substances can shorten the lifespan of your access mats by contaminating and eroding the wooden planks. It is essential to always keep your mats clean for upcoming projects. GFI Solutions offers mat washing services to help you increase your mats’ longevity and enable you to use them for different projects ahead.
Planning and Consultation
At GFI Solutions, we understand the importance of planning out your temporary roads and bridges. The installation process is seamless; however, it does require comprehensive planning to ensure smooth production. Our team of experts is available to provide planning and consultation services for your upcoming projects and ensure efficient operation from start to finish.
Manufacturing
At GFI Solutions, we manufacture TerraLam mats in-house, enabling us to create customized mats for your industry needs. The current mats available are:
- TerraLam® 300 – 8” x 14 long
- TerraLam® 500 – 8” x 16” long
- TerraCross® 700 – Spans Gap of 35′, Total system is 40′
We strongly believe in creating long-term relationships with our customers and not simply maximizing transactions; therefore, before deciding to rent, lease or buy TerraLam mats, an expert from GFI will review your project and determine the optimal solution for your project.
For more safe access solutions, contact our team today to learn more!
Aug 4, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Access mats are portable platforms typically used to support equipment and workers in various industries, including resource-based extraction and construction. Traditional bolted access mats come with multiple benefits that project managers can utilize to ensure their worksites are safe, environmentally conscious, and accessible for workers and heavy equipment. As an Alberta-based company, GFI Solutions is proud to offer a range of access matting solutions, including traditional bolted mats and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats. With decades of experience under our belts, GFI’s team of experts can assist you in deciding on the type of access mats your project requires for a job well done. Below we’ll discuss three benefits of traditional bolted access mats. Continue reading to learn more!
1. Protects the Environment
Access mats are more than a temporary roadway; they also provide vital protection to the environment your project is working in. Access mats offer a layer of defence against damage and disruption from your project’s heavy equipment and workers. They do this by shielding the ground below from physical and chemical contamination. These preventative measures better allow your site to comply with environmental and remediation regulations. Since access mats are a temporary measure, when your project is completed, remediation is more accessible. This means you save time and money when using access mats on your project.
2. Protects Your Workers and Equipment
In addition to protecting the ecosystem your project is working in, access mats offer a stable foundation for your workers and heavy machinery. Inclement weather like heavy rain, sleet, and snow can make navigating isolated worksites a dangerous challenge. This is especially true for heavy equipment that can quickly sink into the mud and get stuck. Fortunately, access mats provide a foundation for your equipment to work on, preventing it from becoming entrenched in the ground below or tipping over. Access mats also provide your workers with a secure path for navigating your project site as they can prevent tripping and slipping hazards. When appropriately used, access mats from GFI Solutions can increase your project’s overall safety, giving you and your workers peace of mind.
3. Versatile Applications
Access mats are incredibly versatile and are utilized across numerous industries. Whether your project is working in the oil and gas sector, refinery, renewable resource, construction or some other industry, access mats will provide stability and safety. So if your project is looking for a safe way to navigate challenging terrain, GFI Solutions has the access matting you need. At GFI, we have a range of access matting solutions available, including rig and crane mats, CLT mats, access bridges, mat rentals and more!
Find the Access Matting You Need at GFI Solutions
At GFI Solutions, our team is ready to help you with all of your access needs. As one of Canada’s premier suppliers of access solutions, including CLT access mats, we are excited to work with you to ensure your project is safe and accessible. GFI is your trusted source for access solutions with 24/7 customer support, inventory management, turnkey services, and more. If you’re interested in knowing more about our offering of access mats, CLT mats, rental options, and more, contact our team today! GFI Solutions looks forward to partnering with you.
Jul 28, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Is your project facing significant delays due to ditches, creeks, rivers, or other environmental complications that make moving equipment and people difficult? At GFI Solutions, we have the answers to your site access problems. As Canada’s exclusive supplier of TerraCross bridges, we are sure to bridge the gap between your project getting completed on time and that creek blocking the path forward. TerraCross safe access bridges are an excellent option for rugged terrain as they’re engineered to work in any environment it’s placed in. For many worksites, TerraCross bridges have become a reliable staple. Continue reading to learn more about using access bridges on your project.
How Access Bridges Help
Our Canadian landscape makes job site navigation challenging, and remote work sites present many issues you have to overcome. As a project manager, managing your crew’s safety and equipment is key to keeping the job moving along. While access mats are great for creating temporary roadways, access bridges are better suited for significant gaps like creeks, ditches, gullies or other land issues that an access mat can’t resolve. Access bridges save you time and money by providing your fleet with a safe option for traversing over rugged terrain. When considering access bridges for your job site, consider the following:
- Length of the project
- Load capacity requirements
- Specific geographical and environmental concerns
- Preference for moveable or more permanent fixture
We have both portable and permanent options available; however, the mobile option is typically sufficient for work sites due to their overall flexibility. At GFI, we offer Sterling Solutions’ line of TerraCross access bridges and TerraLam access mats. So regardless of your project’s needs, we are sure to have the safe site access solutions you need to get the job done.
TerraCross Access Bridges
Sterling Solutions’ TerraCross bridges are lightweight, portable, and designed to simplify accessing your site. TerraCross bridges can be lifted easily with a mid-size excavator so your project can safely cross water, ditches, and a wide range of environmental hazards. The steel beam substructure of these temporary bridges makes them more durable. These safe site access bridges can also be integrated with GFI’s offering of TerraLam mats, so building quick access to your worksite is convenient and affordable. There are two options for site access bridges from GFI Solutions, the TerraCross 40 and TerraCross 56.
Access Bridge Solutions at GFI
GFI Solutions headquarters are located in Whitecourt, Alberta, but we are the leading distributor of safe access solutions throughout Western Canada and nationwide. We have a team of industry experts ready to offer excellent customer service 24/7. So if you have any questions regarding the TerraCross access bridge or TerraLam CLT mats, contact us today, and we are sure to find suitable access solutions for you.
Jul 28, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Financing a project in the oil and gas, power, construction, renewable energy or even the drilling industry is costly. As a project manager, you will often find that your budget is spent extensively on high-quality, expensive access mats or on replacing inexpensive access mats that offer lower quality. Unfortunately, sacrificing the quality of your mats for better cost can dangerously damage heavy equipment and create a hazardous work environment.
This dilemma often leaves project managers wondering whether they should buy more affordable mats but sacrifice the quality? Or purchase higher-quality mats at a price above your matting budget? What if we told you that you could have top-notch access mats at an affordable price?
GFI Solutions is proud to present you with industry-leading worksite access solutions, including the sale and rental of access mats. GFI Solutions is your source for high-quality and affordable matting solutions with an extensive inventory of access mats, rig mats, and temporary access bridges. Read on to learn more about our used and new access mats suitable for all heavy machinery.
Affordable Access Mats For Heavy Equipment
When partnering with GFI, you partner with Canada’s sole source for TerraLam products manufactured by Sterling Solutions. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats have dramatically improved the standards set by traditional bolted mats at a better price. Manufactured from Southern Yellow Pine wood, CLT mats are 40% lighter than traditional mats, saving up to 60% in transportation costs and 40% on installation and removal. Whether you decide to buy or rent GFI’s access mats, you will definitely cut down on your matting costs.
Don’t Buy, Rent!
Renting used heavy equipment mats will not only help you cut your matting expenses in half, but it will also save you the hassle of washing, transporting, installing and storing your mats. As per Canada’s matting standards, used access mats must be cleaned upon the completion of each project to help keep the environment, the crew and the equipment safe. Cross-contamination is a very high risk when reusing access mats, which is why washing and bleaching the mats are crucial in every worksite. Rather than managing the cleaning process yourself and risk compromising your project due to cross-contamination, renting used access mats manages the cleaning process from A-Z, ensuring that all rented mats are ready for use.
When renting used mats from GFI Solutions, our team can transport, install and remove the mats from your worksite and eliminate the search for a storage space to store mats for the next project. We can seamlessly take that responsibility off your hands.
Don’t Settle For Less.
Renting used heavy equipment mats offer you access mats at a lower price without sacrificing quality. GFI Solutions’ used access mats help ensure a safe worksite for workers, equipment and the environment. Contact us today to learn more about our TerraLam mats!
Jul 28, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Oil rig mats or access mats are crucial for many heavy-duty industries, especially in the oil and gas sector. If you’re on the search for oil rig matting that protects your equipment and workers from unstable soil, dirt, rocky surfaces, bogs or even swamps and is within your budget, then GFI Solutions’ oil rig mats are the ideal solution for your project.
GFI solutions are proud to offer clients across Western Canada access to leading oil rig mats that are durable and dependable for your heavy-duty jobs. Learn more about our oil rig mats on job sites below!
Traditional Bolted Mats Vs. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)
Stronger
Traditional bolted mats are often incorrectly perceived to be more robust than CLT mats; however, CLT mats are actually 30% stronger than traditional bolted mats. Many project managers are unaware that CLT mats are manufactured from Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre instead of Douglas Fir, which is found in traditional bolted mats. Southern Yellow Pine Wood is not only stronger than Douglas Fir, but it is also more sustainable to grow and harvest.
Safer
For those looking to protect the environment and minimize the disturbance to the land during their project, CLT oil rig mats are a valuable asset. Traditional rig mats are essentially used to reduce the damage caused to the earth by trucks and machinery and reduce your footprint to stay within the recommended guidelines, but CLT rig mats are more environmentally friendly. Unlike Douglas Fir fibre, Southern Yellow Pine wood is harvested with sustainable forest practices and ecologically friendly adhesive to bond the planks together.
Longer Lifespan
The glue lamination used in CLT mats also increases the longevity of our oil rig mats. The adhesion bonds the planks together and are then sealed with wax on all four edges to repel moisture and rot. Unlike traditional bolted mats, CLT mats leave very little space between the wooden planks for water or fluids to seep through.
More Secure
Bonding the mats together instead of bolting them allows our CLT mats to have a solid top, which significantly reduces hazards throughout the worksite. The solid top ensures that your workers can easily walk around without tripping over the gaps and ensures that your vehicles won’t be damaged due to a loose bolt.
Partner With The Best
GFI Solutions is proud to offer our partners exceptional customer service in addition to our extensive matting inventory. The following matting solutions are designed to keep your project on schedule and maintain the safety of your crew and workers:
- Inventory Management
- Manufacturing
- Mat Washing
- Delivery & Installation
- Turn-Key Services
- Planning and Consultation
GFI Solutions for All Your Matting Needs
Request a quote today for your upcoming projects and ask about our mat rental program!
