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2017 March April Marina World

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FLOATING STRUCTURES &

FLOATING STRUCTURES & FLOAT TECHNOLOGY Taking floating solutions to the next level Although a newly established specialist in floating construction solutions, Finnish company Bluet brings an impressive portfolio of projects to the table. It was founded in June last year by Tytti Sirola (managing director), Petteri Huomo (project development director) and Kimmo Saharinen (chief engineer) – the executive staff of former Marinetek Group company Marina Housing. Bluet could be described as a spin-off of Marina Housing, and it is spinning with Marinetek’s approval. The company team now takes the lead in selling Marinetek equipped floating solutions and will further develop these concepts using its extensive knowledge of property, construction and project management. The company will continue with Marina Housing’s successful extensive cooperation with global contractors, suppliers and designers, and with Marinetek Group and its other partners. The Bluet team had hands-on involvement in many projects when working as Marina Housing. Despite the company name, work involved far more than developing architecturally diverse floating homes but in reality encompassed an entire floating structures division under the Marinetek umbrella. This led to delivery of floating rowing stadiums, sports centres, stages, saunas, boat houses, seaplane stations, marina service buildings and a specific expertise with swimming arenas. Structures owe their stability and durability to Marinetek’s ‘Intelligent Floating Platform’, a maintenancefree pontoon system that causes no harm to the seabed or marine life Strong foundations to float your docks There are multiple styles of flotation fabricated by different manufacturing processes. Keith Boulais focuses on the Encapsulated Foam Filled Flotation requirements that produce the strongest flotation under your docks. You are probably asking yourself why you should be concerned with the flotation of your dock system. Here are two key reasons: • Floats are the ‘foundation’ for the pontoon/dock system. • The ‘foundation’ cost is at least 20% of the total system cost. With the ‘foundation’ costing at least 20% of the total cost, you really do need to know how to verify that the flotation is the strongest available. There are six standard tests that will document the manufacturing results: 1 Encasement (outer shell) Wall Thickness Test - Minimum thickness of 0.125in (3.2mm): • Verifies manufacturing process is providing consistent wall thickness throughout entire flotation. • Benefit - no weak spots = strength and longevity. 2 ASTM D1998-06 Falling Dart Test on Encasement/Outer Shell • Verifies the manufacturer is using quality virgin grade raw material. • Verifies manufacturer’s process is operating properly. • Benefit - flotation handles higher impact and vertical loads without bulging, cracking or splitting = longer life. 3 7 Day Hunt Water Absorption Test (maximum rate of 3lbs (1.36kg)/cf of foam): Foam Filled Flotation • Verifies the EPS foam is fused tighter and is more rigid. • Benefits - no cavities for water absorption into the foam = no buoyancy loss; stronger foam = absorbs heavier loads without bulging or cracking. 4 ASTM C203 Flexural Strength Test - Minimum of 5.5lbs (2.5kg) • Verifies the EPS foam is fused properly with better resistance to water absorption. • Benefit - higher quality = stronger foam = higher impact capability = longer life. 5 ASTM D4986-03 Flame Resistant Test • Benefit - provides a higher level of assurance that the flotation will not ignite if there is an accident. 6 Certified Tank Test Buoyancy • Verifies accurate buoyancy information for proper design of total system. Remember, the strongest flotation = the longest life = the best ROI. Keith Boulais is CEO of Premier Materials Technology, Inc, of MN, USA. www.premiermaterials.com 56 www.marinaworld.com - March/April 2017

FLOATING STRUCTURES & FLOAT TECHNOLOGY and is claimed to last for at least 50 years. There are plenty of options and opportunities for floating swimming pools and other leisure, sports and business facilities such as restaurants, hotels and marina service buildings when planners set to work on waterfront redevelopment. The need to secure the shoreline from the impact of traditional construction and especially the need to extend land and construction areas makes unused water surface an inviting possibility. One recent example of making use of water space to create a public leisure amenity can be found in Allas in the heart of Helsinki. Although armed with Marinetek’s experience in building urban seawater pools in Gibraltar, Norway and Denmark, Marinetek and Bluet encountered a different challenge with Allas. The completed complex features a year-round spa, pools and saunas, as well as a floating deck with a separate lounge and sports areas. The floating swimming pools use a mixture of heated mains water and filtered seawater. Allas Sea Pool was built using modules so that the pontoons could be rearranged or dismantled and reused elsewhere and the focus of the entire project was on creating a waterfront structure that serves many needs. “The days of building something that will serve only the needs of recreational boaters are behind us,” said Marinetek’s lead designer Timo Urala during the installation phase. “Revitalising this district requires not only a strong overall vision but lots of experience in building technically challenging structures. The client and supplier both need to approach a new kind of project with open minds. It takes bravery to tackle something like this.” It seems that ‘bravery’ is becoming endemic as more and more waterfront projects, such as the Bassin 7 project at Aarhus harbour in Denmark, look to include floating public amenities. Designed by Ingels’ firm BIG, the vision for Aarhus includes a public plaza, residential buildings and floating swimming pools. Bluet works from start to finish on a floating project, developing design ideas, obtaining necessary permits for planning, design and engineering, and delivering the final floating solution. As such, it has made a seamless transition from its origins as Marina Housing, leaving Marinetek to focus more strictly on its core business of building marinas. As Sirola and her team point out, Bluet is continuing with a business that responds to proven demand, enjoys existing customer relationships and a strong cooperation network. And the growing trend for sustainable floating solutions indicates a growing market. Contact Bluet in Finland at info@ bluet.fi and Marinetek at info@ marinetek.net Stunning ecologically friendly floating homes (above left); the Allas Sea Pool in Helsinki (above); and the floating facilities building at Anchor Marina, Dubai (left) are good examples of projects completed by Marinetek and the Bluet team. www.marinaworld.com - March/April 2017 57

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