Sayfa Group worked with the contractors on the installation of KOMBI modular stairs and platform systems at a solar farm to provide workers a safe and suitable working surface for maintenance operations.

Located west of Tamworth in regional New South Wales, the solar farm will provide enough energy to supply the needs of over 48,000 homes. Following extensive assessment, this site was selected due to various factors including suitability of terrain, site access, environmental constraints and solar resource.

The brief was to provide access platforms at the inverter station to ensure site safety for maintenance workers. The systems also needed to meet stringent criteria including engineering and compliance to Australian Standards.

Given the remoteness of the location and the consequent shortage of equipment as well as skilled trades, it was decided to use pre-assembled systems as these would allow easy unloading and installation by hand.

Conceptual design drawings were produced using the KOMBI Builda. This enabled the installer and client to visualise the initial KOMBI stair and platform system build.

KOMBI access stairs and platforms - drawings

Initial concept created in the KOMBI Builda

Detailed and more extensive drawings were then formatted by our in-house design and engineering teams, collaborating to ensure the end result would be structurally sound and fit for purpose.

KOMBI access stairs and platforms - drawings

KOMBI access stairs and platforms - drawings

Detailed drawings produced by our in-house design and engineering teams

These drawings were then sent to the production department for fabrication. To assist with a quick install, many of the components were pre-assembled into easily manageable modules and then transported directly to site.

As KOMBI stairs and platforms are manufactured in lightweight aluminium, they could be easily unloaded manually at the site without the need for heavy lifting equipment or cranes.

Using the patented KOMBI T-Bolt technology and basic battery powered hand tools, assembly took a fraction of the time that traditional steel welded systems would have needed.

Throughout the project, assistance was provided by our technical team to make sure the install was carried out smoothly and as per regulatory guidelines.

Additionally, KOMBI stair and platforms comply with AS 1657 and AS/NZS 1170, which provided the necessary adherence to Australian Standards required for this installation.

The client was very satisfied with the fast, effective and compliant installation.

Why KOMBI stair and platform systems?

Remote locations are often challenging when it comes to supplying and installing systems; however, KOMBI's modular design sets it apart from the rest.

With traditional welded steel systems made with the best measurements and design, ensuring a perfect fit once systems get to site can be extremely challenging. In the event of a miscalculation, the systems will have to go through an expensive re-design and additional fabrication process, which can blow out budgets and timelines.

KOMBI stair and platform systems are the perfect solution. Their adjustability ensures that should your system need some ‘tweaking’ at the site during installation, it can be easily done in situ.

Even more, there is no requirement for specialist tools or trades to install, so your own team can perform a quick and easy assembly. Additionally, the aluminium construction allows safe handling of the lightweight components, protecting your workers from musculoskeletal injuries.

The ingenuity behind the KOMBI T-Bolt

The KOMBI T-Bolt does away with the need for on-site welding and fabrication. Systems can be adjusted to cater for undulating land or uneven surfaces. With innovation behind its creation, the whole KOMBI modular system is designed to be flexible and user-friendly.

Proudly Australian owned and manufactured, KOMBI aluminium modular stairs and platforms meet the brief when lightweight, easy to install systems are required.

"Great customer service from the SAYFA team. Thank you for providing a lightweight platform, which was extremely easy to assemble," the contractors said.