New VIKING evacuation kit puts turbine tower safety first top to bottom
Esbjerg, Denmark, September 2021
Self-contained evacuation kit for wind turbine tower complements all-in-one VIKING solution for turbines launched earlier this year.
VIKING Life-saving Equipment is maintaining momentum in its development of the most complete range of safety solutions to cover the risks facing wind turbine service technicians, by introducing an easily accessible and self-contained evacuation kit located in the tower.
Following a collaborative design project, VIKING has launched a tower evacuation kit which fits snugly into what is currently an unused space between the platform handrails and the tower’s outer wall. Housed in a PPE chest developed by JoBird, the evacuation kit includes VIKING YouSafe™ HighTide immersion suits with integrated harnesses and Skylotec MILAN descent devices.
Easily accessible via a hinged lid, the polyethylene chest slots into position in the void space at the platform’s edge where it is held in place between railings and tower wall by standard brackets. Each unit can accommodate six sets of evacuation equipment.
Earlier this year, VIKING made a strong market impact with the launch of an all-in-one evacuation kit for technicians working at wind turbine nacelle level, once again featuring a special purpose storage unit from JoBird and Skylotec rescue devices. Located on the helihoist platform, the outside container is built to withstand 100 mph winds for 30 years. In contrast, the new container for the protected lower platform is lightweight and formed to enable drop-in installation.
“Now, we can offer evacuation solutions that deliver identical ISO-, SOLAS- and Class-approved life-saving equipment to protect wind turbine service technicians from the top to the bottom of the tower,” says Bettina Kjærgaard, Global Product Manager, Offshore Wind, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment. “In emergency situations, having immediate access to the right evacuation equipment can be decisive.”
The latest product evolved out of a dialogue between VIKING and design engineers developing a new wind turbine installation, she adds. “VIKING is very established offshore but we take it as a welcome indication of our progress in the specialized wind sector that we are being consulted on safety issues at the earliest stages.”
The result is an evacuation kit that is integrated with the tower lay-out and within easy reach of turbine service personnel. With clip hooks to attach to railings, 125m of rope and a speed regulating rescue descender the integral solution is also suitable for lowering injured or unconscious personnel.
“Like many good ideas, the self-contained tower solution is creative and simple, and we have secured our first major contract already,” says Kjærgaard. “Offshore wind is a growing sector which takes the risks faced by the technicians putting their lives at risk day in, day out very seriously. For highly-skilled offshore professionals, HQSE is a key indicator of employment standards.”
About VIKING
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S is a global leader in maritime, offshore and fire safety solutions.
We manufacture, market and service safety and fire-fighting equipment for passenger and cargo ships, offshore installations, offshore wind turbines, fishing vessels, navies, helicopter services, fire departments and leisure yachts around the world.
VIKING’s products protect passengers and crew on many of the world’s largest cruise liners and cargo ships, and we help to ensure safe conditions for workers on some of the world’s most advanced offshore platforms.
We also enable shipowners and owners/operators of offshore installations to focus on their business by managing their service tasks and ensuring the regulatory compliance of all their products and solutions.
VIKING is a privately held corporation, founded in 1960. In recent years, VIKING acquired the Norwegian company Norsafe, whose lifeboats have been used around the world since 1904, and Drew Marine’s FSR division, one of the world’s three largest providers of Marine Fire Service.
Headquartered in Esbjerg, Denmark, VIKING products are manufactured in Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, Greece, China and Thailand.
www.VIKING-life.com
For further information please contact
Global Product Manager, Offshore Wind, Bettina Kjærgaard, +45 2542 8216, bkj@VIKING-life.com
Global PPE Marketing Communications Manager, Elizabeth Pöckel, +45 2542 8209, EDP@VIKING-life.com