How is an enclosure created?
David Francisco, AbrisudPro Project Manager, explains the phases of this type of project to us.
"Our in-house design office draws up the plans for the enclosure. The cross-sections show all the sizes and specify the type of enclosure opening. The designs are complemented by a 3D view of the structure. The project definition also details the enclosure colour and material, the profile cross-section as well as the distance between the wooden or aluminium arches.
This design phase also takes supports into account: ground and wall, when the enclosure is a lean-to. The in-house design office calculates the loads that the supports bearing the enclosure must withstand. Based on these load specifications, a special design office determines the mechanical characteristics required: the thickness and density of the concrete girders, section for the steel or wooden beams.
At the same time as drafting the plans, the design office does the costing: for the raw materials, where the price of aluminium and polycarbonate is fickle and forever changing; the cost of manufacturing, of shipping, which sometimes includes special convoys for parts that can be 20 metres long; the cost for installing and any special equipment required for this (scaffolding, crane, etc.).
During this phase, the quote can be transmitted to the customer.
When the Sales Agreement is concluded, the plans and calculations are approved by an independent inspection office, like Socotec. This is known as the "Manufacturing green light" that triggers the manufacturing process in our Bresles (60) facility if it's a full-height aluminium enclosure, or in Caux (34) if it's a wooden enclosure.
Organizing and scheduling the installation are made in agreement with the customer and the other professions concerned: pool specialist, mason, slide manufacturer, etc.
Before the project is launched, a vital document is drawn up: the SHSPP (Special health and safety protection plan), which identifies the person in charge of the project, work duration, scaffolding and/or crane requirements, accident prevention measures and what to do in the event of an accident. All needs and risks are assessed so that the installation work, which can take up to 5 weeks for this type of enclosure, goes as smoothly as possible.
At the end of the project, a Project Report is drafted by the Installer Manager or by the Project Manager to close the workfile and hand over the keys.
As such, the customer receives their as-built documents, comprising the plans, technical characteristics, inspection office report, fire certificates, ten-year warranty certificates and instructions for use.
These documents are frequently requested by the Commission for Safety and Accessibility when approving the opening of the structure to the public.
