Linemarkers South East Queensland recently completed a line marking project for a multinational company’s new distribution centre. This blog offers an insight into our line marking processes.
Project: New Distribution Centre Line Marking
How did the client contact us?
Scope of the Job
The clients didn’t have a written plan outlining the scope of the job for this brand new building but communicated their requirements during the walkthrough and measure-up with our company representative.
As this is a distribution centre with trucks coming and going, the road markings outside the building are an important directional message for the truck drivers.
Road markings included centre lines, stop bars, chevrons, truck reversing lines and directional arrows.
Other markings specific to this site included safety hatched areas (diagonal striping) to fire door exits, and edge lines around the fuel tanker. These markings indicate that nothing should block access to these areas.
There were also walkway edge lines for pedestrians. When trucks and forklifts are active, it is important that pedestrians have clearly delineated, safe pathways to move from one area of the site to another.
Standards
This multinational company’s own standard specifies white paint for directing traffic. This included several oversized arrows for the trucks to follow. At 5 metres long these arrows were much larger than the Manual of Uniform Traffic Devices Australian standard which defines line marking on public roads. On private property, the line marking layout is at the client’s discretion, with due regard to traffic and pedestrian safety after completing a traffic management plan.
Sometimes, to ensure traffic safety, compromises must be made. The client specified white truck reversing lines 20 metres long along the sides of the building. Our representative pointed out to the clients that on one side of the building, the driveway was narrower. A 20-metre truck parking bay would obstruct the driveway for safe truck movement. In consultation with the clients, it was decided that on this side the bay was decreased to 16.5 metres. Still enough room for the trucks to reverse and park but not a danger to traffic on the driveway.
The international standard for this company specifies that all other line marking (other than directing traffic) is to be yellow.
For pedestrians using the site, yellow walkway lines were needed. The width of a walkway must take into consideration the amount of foot traffic. This company specifies 1.2 metres width, and in this initial stage, the client requested painting walkway edge lines only. This minimises the amount of painting required when compared to a walkway painted a solid colour or with diagonal stripes. The client’s reason for this was to assess if where the walkways were painted was practical once the distribution centre was up and running.
What did we do next?
Our representative returned to our office, prepared the quotation and emailed it to the client.
Our quotation was accepted by sending us a purchase order. We contacted the client to book in a date that suited the site’s traffic and work schedules. A Saturday date was chosen because no trucks would be moving on site.
Our office prepared a job sheet detailing the distribution centre line marking work to be done, and the site contact details. Our representative who visited the site made a hand drawing of what was to go where, and this was attached to the job sheet. A work method statement/risk assessment outlining hazards identified, any possible risks, and management strategies were prepared.
Safety on Site
Just as at every job, safety on site is our primary concern. Our team leader walked around the site with a site representative and our crew. This allowed for any further hazards to be identified and management strategies put into place. The walkthrough was also a time for all crew to discuss and understand the job scope, who was doing what and when. The work method statement was read and signed by all crew once this process had been completed.
The crew then got on with the job of measuring and marking up and using the airless spray guns to apply the line marking paint. Barriers were put in place to prevent pedestrians from walking through the work area.
For this distribution centre line marking job, we arranged a crew of four line markers to attend. At Linemarkers South East Queensland we like to arrive on site with a team to complete the job quickly and efficiently. This allows for minimal disruption to traffic and work practices.
Unfortunately, a heavy downpour of rain delayed completion of the outdoor works on this Saturday. Our office arranged another suitable time to complete the job the next week after the concrete had dried.
After Job Completion
After job completion, our office called the clients to make sure they were satisfied with the work done. This is an important part of the process for Linemarkers South East Queensland; we endeavour to get it right the first time.
Our clients in this situation were happy and have asked to have more line marking quoted. Remember the walkway edge lines? The clients wanted to put down just the minimal amount of paint for the walkways first up to make sure that the walkway location was going to work for the people using the site. They found that the walkways are well-positioned and want to add some diagonal lines and footprint stencils to highlight the pedestrian walkway message further.
Of course, Linemarkers South East Queensland is only too pleased to be asked back.
If you would like a free line marking quote, please call the office on 07 3277 2448 or use our contact form.