The Lyon team first discovered ModTruss - the 'universal building system' likened to full size Meccano - at the ABTT Theatre Show at Alexandra Palace in June, where it was named 'Engineering Product of the Year'. Lyon Equipment's Ben Alderson used Triple E's Fly Tower, constructed from ModTruss, to carry out rescue demonstrations using Petzl and Lyon Work at Height and rescue equipment.
"When we first set up our systems, we were instantly impressed with how easy ModTruss was to climb on - the design of the product allows the user to climb it in a similar manner to a ladder," says Alderson. "The size of the smaller holes, certainly on the 12" section, means the user can attach themselves directly to the ModTruss with a karabiner/connector and lanyard. This helps reduce the weight of the user's system and prevents having to carry extra kit."
As well as being the UK and Ireland distributors for Petzl Equipment and many other leading brands, Lyon Equipment's premises offer a large purpose-built training centre from where it provides a wide variety of training courses for all things Work at Height related. Courses include Level 1 to 3 Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) qualifications and specific courses designed for the theatre and entertainment industry. Lyon has now installed the ModTruss structure, supplied by Triple E, which is the exclusive UK distributor of ModTruss.
"One of the main reasons for constructing ModTruss for the training area was because of its versatility in terms of how it can be assembled and the fact it is fully rated for people to climb/stand on it," Alderson continues. "We also felt ModTruss would really help people who want Work at Height training for the entertainment sector as it gives them another form of structure/scenario they may not have come across before."
It is not just the Entertainment related courses that will benefit Lyon as the ModTruss structure will help create different scenarios/challenges for IRATA training as well as Police and other Emergency Services Work at Height courses.
(Jim Evans)
