Challenge

Accessing the lighting fixtures was complicated by the building’s sloped floor and fixed pews, making lifts impractical. Scaffolding would have required unbolting and moving the pews and would have taken several days to reach all the fixtures. Some lights could only be accessed from above, while recessed can lights installed along a wood beam presented an additional access challenge.

Rope Guy Solution

The Rope Guy team used multiple custom rope-access solutions to reach the lighting fixtures without disrupting the space. Some fixtures were accessed by rappelling from the catwalk and swinging beneath it for direct access.

For the recessed can lights along the wood beam, the team installed rock-climbing bolt hangers using 3/8-inch lag bolts painted to match the beam, creating a more efficient access point for the fixtures. When one light fixture needed to be removed and repaired, the team also built an adjustable hanging foot platform to safely reach and work on it.

Results

Rope access eliminated the need for lifts, scaffolding, or removing and relocating the pews. The custom access solutions allowed the team to efficiently reach, maintain, and repair lighting fixtures throughout the space while minimizing disruption to the building and reducing the time required to complete the work.