Jul 21, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Projects in the drilling, oil and gas and refinery industries require more caution to protect the environment and reduce the damage caused by the equipment and the process. Site access solutions make safe transportation of fluids possible on your worksite as it ensures little to no damage to the landscape.
GFI Solutions is proud to introduce safe-site access mats that protect both your equipment and the landscape during your project. Read on to learn more about the benefits our mats have to offer you.
Prevent Contamination
Transporting fluids on a worksite can cause significant damage to the landscape. Heavy construction equipment as well can sometimes damage the environment due to its weight. Tire tracks, rust and chemicals from the worksite are left behind as you drive the equipment, contaminating the soft ground. The heavy equipment carrying heavier loads alters the landscape’s natural appearance as unstable soil can sink into the ground. Installing access mats at your worksite will help support the weight of your equipment, creating a wooden shield between the chemicals used and the ground protecting the environment from possible damage.
Prevent Delays
Uneven terrain can cause your equipment to sink when the soil is pitted, wet or muddy. Access mats prevent you from having to go through the long process of digging or pulling out your heavy equipment. You can rest assured that your equipment and crew have a safe road/bridge to cross over without risking lengthy delays with access mats.
Prevent Damage
Access mats not only prevent damage to the landscape it also prevents damage to your equipment. The tires on heavy equipment require solid, smooth grounds that can withstand the heavyweight in order to avoid fast wear and tear or tripping hazards. Access mats provide your equipment and crew with the rigid foundation needed to support the weight and protect the tires from any possible damage.
Why GFI Solutions?
GFI Solutions is Canada’s exclusive source for Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam products. Our CLT products include:
We also provide a variety of sizes of bolted access mats for rent and sale. As a manufacturer, our team of experts can provide you with customized matting solutions for your upcoming project. GFI Solutions is your all-in-one matting expertise as we provide several services such as inventory management, delivery & installation, mat washing and more!
Contact our team today to learn more about the perfect matting solution for your needs and request a quote for your upcoming project.
Jul 21, 2022 | Access Mats, News
With summer just around the corner, much of Canada faces rainfall and irregular weather patterns, making it difficult for trucks and machinery to reach remote job sites. Temporary access solutions like bridges and mats are an essential resource that allows you to overcome the obstacles presented by the changing weather while also protecting the environment from harm during your project.
While purchasing mats was the preferred option of choice, renting access mats has become the go-to solution by project managers in some of the biggest companies in construction, oil & gas, petrochemical, mining, power and renewable energy industries. GFI Solutions is proud to be Canada’s leading supplier of temporary access solutions, including access mats, rig mats and access bridges for rent and sale. Learn more about our temporary access solutions below!
Access Mats
When purchasing access mats to build makeshift roads in and out of a job site, clients tend to underestimate the amount of time and effort that is required to transport, install, remove and clean the mats. Renting temporary access mats will save you time and money since you won’t have to worry about professionally cleaning the mats or finding space to store your mats for the next project. GFI Solutions offers several matting services, including:
- Mat Washing
- Turn-Key Services
- Inventory Management
- Delivery and Installation
- Manufacturing
- Planning and Consultation
Rig Mats
Projects with heavy equipment such as dump trucks, loaders, excavators, drilling rigs, or similar heavy machinery require more robust access mats that can withstand extremely heavy loads or applications. Rig mats are primarily used to support heavier machinery and have steel frames to withstand heavy loads safely. Renting temporary rig mats will usually cost significantly less than buying brand new ones and offer you the same reliable quality.
Temporary Access Bridges
In order to safely cross muddy paths, waterways or swamps, project managers are required to install temporary access bridges to maintain the safety of the equipment, the crew and the environment. Temporary bridges are easy to install and remove, and some can even be delivered to the job site on a single truck. Depending on the equipment you have and the weight of the loads, TerraCross bridges can handle up to 100 tons of weight. The specs include:
TERRACROSS 40:
- Maximum Weight Limit: 100 tons
- Spanning Distance: 35′
- Total Length: 40′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
TERRACROSS 56:
- Maximum Weight Limit: 65 tons
- Spanning Distance: 50′
- Total Length: 56′
- Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking
Temporary Access Solutions Throughout Western Canada
Looking for temporary access solutions for an upcoming project? Request a quote today!
Jul 15, 2022 | Access Mats, News
One of the most common questions project managers ask when considering used rig mats is whether or not they are safe to use at a worksite. A popular misconception about used access mats is that they are unreliable, easily damaged and hazardous to install; however, GFI Solutions implements strict inspection with all used mats to ensure optimal quality before delivering used access mats to the client. Our quality control checklist includes:
- Mat Washing
Cross-contamination can cause harm to the surrounding terrain or create a hazardous working environment that could put your project at risk. Cross-contamination is your number one concern if you’re working in an industry that involves the transport or use of fuel, chemicals or other toxic materials. At GFI Solutions, we understand that the risk of cross-contamination and how it can cause conflict on both Provincial and Federal levels, which is why our team dedicated an entire service to mat washing. All our used mats are rigorously washed and bleached to ensure that proper sterilization is met before delivery.
- Inspection for Repairs or Damages
Even though GFI’s Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are significantly more robust than traditional bolted mats and offer better support, some mats will naturally experience regular wear and tear. Our thorough inspection at GFI ensures that any mats that require repairs are professionally addressed, and if some mats are heavily damaged, we will instantly get rid of them. Since our TerraLam products are made of solid blocks of wood, repairs can be done much easier than repairs on bolted access mats. At GFI, we pride ourselves on offering our clients the best quality possible, and by ensuring that all our used mats are thoroughly inspected and repaired, we can consistently provide our customers with high-quality used mats.
- Delivery and Installation
We advise all our clients, whether they are purchasing new or used mats, to take advantage of our delivery and installation service as it increases the longevity of your access mats. Our experts will properly deliver and install your mats, ensuring that no damage is inflicted on the mats due to transport and that the mats are carefully installed for optimal performance.
- 24/7 Support
GFI Solutions is proud to provide customers throughout Western Canada with a 24/7 support line where customers can easily request help, inquire about our services or products and access our extensive matting inventory. No matter the location or the problem, you can quickly and easily reach GFI Solutions’ customer support.
Reliable Matting Solutions
Safety is our primary concern at GFI Solutions, which is why players in some of theH biggest industries, such as oil and gas, mining and construction, have entrusted us to be their sole supplier of used and brand new matting solutions. For more information about used worksite mats and used access mats, contact us today!
Jul 7, 2022 | Access Mats, News
When it comes to trusting a supplier that provides top-the-line access matting solutions, the ideal contractor will offer you a combination of high-quality, reliable and cost-effective matting options. At GFI Solutions, we are proud to offer our partners industry-leading access matting solutions that perform as needed regardless of weather, terrain or weight challenges. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are manufactured using a novel approach that engineers reliable and long-lasting access mats. The cross lamination process provides clients with high-quality access and rig mats to withstand the heaviest of loads, keep your worksite safe, maintain your workflow’s efficiency, and keep it on track. Learn more about the benefits of our CLT rig mats below!
Revolutionary Technology
Some might say that CLT mats are an exceptionally engineered product that revolutionizes the access matting industry. Companies in the oil and gas, construction, infrastructure and chemical industries rely greatly on CLT mats as they allow for more efficient workflow at a cost-effective budget. The beauty of CLT mats lies in their production as they are manufactured using Southern Yellow Pine wood, which is 30% stronger than Douglas Fir fibre found in traditional bolted mats. Southern Yellow Pine wood is also 40% lighter than Douglas Fir, which allows for the transportation of 25% more units per load, saving you valuable money and time. CLT rig mats, in particular, can withstand heavier loads than regular CLT worksite mats as they are steel-framed to provide support for equipment such as cranes, excavators, rigs, etc.
CLT Mats In; Traditional Bolted Mats Out
CLT mats are uniquely designed using eco-friendly adhesion to offer stronger on-site performance. Instead of using bolts to bond the wooden planks together, CLT mats are adhered together using non-toxic glue. This process allows the CLT mats more flexibility and strength as the weight is evenly distributed throughout the mat, leading to unrivalled performance even in the toughest conditions. CLT mats are not only more robust than traditional mats but they also:
- Repel Moisture and Rot
- Have High Impact Resistance
- Withstand Extreme Heat and Cold
- Reduce Tripping Hazards
- Minimize Tire Damage
…and more!
GFI Solutions for All Your Matting Needs
Whether you’re looking to buy or rent new or used CLT rig mats, GFI Solutions’ strong customer service team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also offer turn-key services, delivery and installation, planning and consultation and mat washing services that you can request through our support line. If you’re unsure whether you need worksite mats, rig mats or access bridges for your job site, a GFI expert can review your project and work with you to determine the best matting solutions for your business.
Learn more about our CLT mats by contacting our team today!
Jun 30, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Are you looking for temporary access solutions to complete an upcoming project? Renting access matting from GFI Solutions is a great option to test-drive our TerraLam mats and get the safe access solutions you need to complete your project on time without committing to a permanent purchase. CLT access mats keep your crew safe, ensure you’re abiding by environmental sustainability standards and help to keep your job on schedule.
There is a myriad of environmental factors to consider when kickstarting a project. Challenges such as snow, rain, and sleet are just some of the many difficulties you face when working in our wild Canadian climate; GFI Solutions wants you to have the resources you need to overcome any challenges. As Canada’s top supplier of CLT access mats, our team is proud to offer rental options and a range of other services to our customers. Keep reading to find out more about renting from GFI and our line of CLT access mats.
Access Mat Rentals You Can Trust
Purchasing access mats will generally be the better option to make the most return on your investment. However, the upfront costs of buying construction mats may not be viable, depending on your circumstances. That’s where mat rentals from GFI Solutions come in handy. Fast rentals can be a significant benefit if you’re in the middle of a project and need safe site access solutions right now. Renting access mats allows you to safely access your site while at the same time allowing you to test drive a new long-term solution. Renting construction mats can allow you to preserve your project’s budget and get the job done on time.
CLT Mats an Industry Favourite
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are a relative newcomer to the safe site access market, but they’ve quickly become the new industry standard for many job sites and good reason too. CLT mats have a unique design built to outperform traditional bolted mats. They’re 40% lighter than bolted mats and have a 3-5 times longer life cycle. The wood CLT mats are manufactured from is sustainably sourced from Southern Yellow Pine, which is 30% stronger than the standard Douglas fir most bolted mats are made from. This lightweight profile allows CLT mats to be easier to transport and install, which means you’ll save money and time during the setup and takedown of your project.
At GFI Solutions, we carry both TerraLam 300 and TerraLam 500 CLT access mats. But if you’re not ready to switch to CLT mats, we also have traditional bolted mats available. GFI is proud to offer the matting support you need for your project; we offer rentals, sales, delivery, installation and mat washing services.
GFI Solutions is Here to Help!
Renting access mats can be a hassle, but GFI is here to help. We’re proud to be the preferred distributor of site access solutions for various businesses across Canada. GFI is sure to meet your project’s stringent safety requirements with a significant inventory of site safe access mats and bridges and the ability to customize mats. Contact our team of experts today for all of your temporary roadway, construction mat, and general worksite mat needs!
Jun 30, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Swamp mats play a crucial role in ensuring your job site is safe, accessible and abiding by environmental standards. Access mats, also referred to as swamp mats, allow for the safe transportation of materials to and from your project site, allowing work to proceed on pace and budget. Rugged terrain, challenging weather, and remote work sites shouldn’t slow your project down. At GFI Solutions, we are proud to support our fellow Canadian businesses with safe site access solutions for any job. With a comprehensive inventory that features industry-leading access solutions, GFI is one of Canada’s leading suppliers of swamp mats and more. Learn more about the difference between a swamp and access mat and GFI’s offering of site access solutions below.
Swamp Mats or Access Mats?
You’ve likely heard of both swamp and access mats throughout the industry, but what’s the difference? Well, it’s relatively simple; swamp mats and access mats both refer to the standard matting solutions used to create temporary roadways and on-site infrastructure that allows for the safe transportation of equipment, goods, and workers. At GFI Solutions, we offer a range of access matting solutions that can handle a variety of weights, including traditional bolted mats and the premier Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats.
There is little difference between swamp mats and access mats; the only thing setting them apart is that the term swamp mats are typically a regionally specific term. In climates that are generally humid and marshy, access mats are called swamp mats; however, those same mats will be called access mats in our more northern environment. However, it is essential to note that swamp/ access mats are not the same as rig mats. Rig mats are heavy-duty access solutions used with large equipment such as excavators.
CLT Mats at GFI Solutions
Our wild Canadian landscape and weather are among the most challenging obstacles companies must face while working on their project. Sudden shifts in temperature and precipitation can make a worksite muddy and icy overnight, so moving heavy equipment can be nearly impossible. Luckily GFI Solutions has the CLT access mats you need to make your job site better to navigate and keep your project moving on time. CLT mats are designed to outperform traditional bolted mats. With a life cycle that’s 3-5 times longer than bolted mats and 25% lighter, it’s no wonder how CLT mats can save you time and money.
Swamp Mats, Access Solutions, and More at GFI
At GFI, we are proud to distribute site access solutions across Canada. As a premier distributor of Sterling Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® products, including their 300 and 500 model access mats, access bridges and more, we will have the site access solutions you need. Our team of industry experts offers our clients access to 24/7 rental and sales service, mat washing, expedited delivery, turnkey services, and more. Learn more about access solutions by contacting our team today!
