Context

COVID-19 testing sites were a key part of government policy to control the accidental spread of the coronavirus. Extensive testing helped:

  • Determine whether key and essential workers were safe to go to work
  • Identify new cases to reduce the rate of infection (the R Number) to mitigate risks of a second wave of infections

Requirements and work done

Security, privacy and rapid response were three key considerations for the temporary COVID-19 testing facilities. CLD Fencing was chosen to provide temporary fencing for the Aberdeen and Edinburgh COVID testing sites by A-Plant (Sunbelt Rental). 

Rapid response

CLD Fencing formed the Rapid Response Physical Security Team (RRPST) at the start of April, one of the key areas was a 24/7 response.

Recalling staff from their bank holiday weekend, over half a kilometre of FenceSafe was picked on bank holiday Monday afternoon and loaded late in the evening for the long drive from Sandbach to Edinburgh by WS Transportation. At the same time ballast from Northern Scotland was being loaded onto trucks from Dyce Carriers Ltd to be shipped down to meet up at the Edinburgh Airport site.

Russell Wells (Global Sales Director) and Kevin Wells (FenceSafe Product Champion), travelled early on Tuesday 14th April to be at site for initial set up with the team from A-Plant (Sunbelt Rental) to run over the wind loading calculations and formation of the temporary fencing so that it could take the privacy scrim netting and maintain BS EN 1991.

The supply was turned around in the 24 hour window.

Privacy

The addition of the privacy scrim netting allows the site to maintain medical screening throughout its operation. Thanks to the patented ballast bases of the FenceSafe system, it can cope with windspeed without fear of overturn.

Products supplied

In total just over 550m and FenceSafe temporary fencing, 1no Double Leaf Temporary Vehicle Access Gate and 1no Single Leaf Temporary Pedestrian Access Gate, were picked, packed, shipped and ready for installation by 9am on the Tuesday with associated ballast and scrim netting.

Stewart Plant, Director of Marketing at CLD Fencing Systems said “In challenging times, to see the unbelievable efforts and selfless dedication from all the team members at CLD Fencing Systems has been amazing. From the shop floor to the board room, everyone is pulling together to make a difference.”

About FenceSafe

FenceSafe Eclipse offers the same level of security as a permanent rigid mesh fencing system to BS 1722 Part 14 but without any foundation. Installed using a patented cantilever base it is designed to temporary works standard and can stand wind loading in accordance with BS EN 1991.