The Situation:

The University of Portland is constructing a new one hundred feet tall Bell Tower which showcases both the University’s Catholic character and serves as a landmark symbol for the campus community.  The one hundred foot climb to the top of the tower, to access the fourteen chimes, needed to be a safe, durable climbing surface.

The Solution:

A sales representative from SlipNOT® Metal Safety Flooring worked with a local Oregon steel fabricator to determine the best option for the access route to the top of the University of Portland Bell Tower.  SlipNOT® offers a variety of slip resistant products that could be used for this application.  Non-slip steel 3/4” diameter ladder rungs were chosen and purchased in specified cut to size dimensions needed for the access route ladder.

SlipNOT® ladder rungs are used for new ladder construction, and are simple to install whether they are stock length anti-slip ladder rungs that would be cut to size on site or ordered in specified cut to size dimensions.  They simply will need to be welded into place on the newly constructed ladder for the Bell Tower.

The Impact:

Once the Bell Tower is completed in the fall of 2009, any maintenance needed to the copula or chimes will be easily accessible.  The SlipNOT® steel anti-slip ladder rungs will provide a safe, slip free climbing surface for workers and prevent any dangerous slip and fall accidents.