Budongo Project, Edinburgh Zoo 2012

The RZSS came to Equinox at the end of 2011 with a serious problem within their Budongo Project (chimpanzee exhibit ) One of the wooden beams that makes up part of the Chimpanzee climbing frames had fallen down to ground level. After a site visit was carried out, a team from our structural survey division was mobilised to site to carry out a full integrity and condition inspection. Our comprehensive report flagged up numerous defects with both the internal & external frames.

Maintenance was carried out on 3 frames to ensure safety to the animals and the zoo's staff. Access to the working areas was achieved using a combination of mobile tower scaffold, rope access and rigging techniques. An electrical chain hoist was installed above the frames using rope access rigging. The chain hoist allowed the damaged beams to be removed and replaced in a controlled and safe manner.

Since our initial visit to the Budongo Project, Equinox has now been awarded a routine inspection programme of works on all frames to ensure the continued safety to all Chimpanzees and zoo staff.

On completion of this project and to show our support to the Edinburgh Zoo, Equinox Access Solutions Ltd has purchased a platinum adoption package for all 21 Chimpanzees within the Budongo Project.