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.
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.
