Permanent Davit Bases Deliver Safer and Faster Confined Space Access for Watercare Infrastructure
For operators responsible for maintaining water and wastewater infrastructure, confined space entry is a routine but high-risk activity. Pump stations, valve chambers, wet wells and treatment facilities often require repeated access throughout the year for inspections, servicing and maintenance.
A recent Watercare project demonstrates how installing permanent davit bases throughout a site can significantly improve safety, reduce setup time and provide a dedicated rescue capability whenever confined space work is required.
The Challenge
Many confined space assets require frequent entry, yet temporary anchor systems often need to be installed each time work is carried out. This can increase setup time, require additional equipment handling and introduce unnecessary complexity for maintenance crews.
For infrastructure owners managing multiple access points, a permanent engineered solution provides a far more efficient long-term approach.
The Solution
For this project, multiple BTS Permanent Davit Bases were installed at designated confined space entry points across the site.
These permanent bases provide fixed engineered anchor locations that allow maintenance teams to quickly deploy the BTS Pro-6G 3-Piece Davit whenever access is required.
Once positioned into the permanent base, the Pro-6G Davit can be configured with fall arrest and rescue equipment, creating a complete confined space entry and retrieval system suitable for routine maintenance and emergency rescue operations. The modular system is compatible with a wide range of permanent and portable davit bases, allowing organisations to standardise on a single davit while using different mounting options across multiple assets.
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Why Permanent Davit Bases?
Permanent davit bases are designed for locations where confined space access is required on a regular basis.
Rather than transporting and installing a complete anchorage system each time, the permanent base remains securely installed while the davit arm is only fitted when work is being undertaken.
This provides several advantages:
- Faster setup for routine maintenance activities
- Reduced manual handling of equipment
- Consistent anchor locations across the site
- Improved operational efficiency
- Engineered solution for fall protection and rescue
- Ability to use one davit across multiple permanent access points
Permanent bases are available in a range of floor-mounted, wall-mounted, flush-mounted and heavy-duty configurations to suit different structures, construction methods and loading requirements. They are designed for permanent installations where repeated use is expected and should be installed by suitably qualified personnel.
The BTS Pro-6G Davit System
The BTS Pro-6G is a lightweight modular aluminium davit designed for confined space entry, fall protection and rescue applications.
Key features include:
- Lightweight 6061-T6 aluminium construction
- Adjustable mast height from 1.9m to 2.2m
- Adjustable outreach from 0.5m to 0.7m
- 360Ā° swivel capability
- Built-in visual fall and overload indicator
- Quick assembly without specialist tools
- Compatible with both permanent and portable davit bases
- Suitable for personnel access, rescue and material handling applications
Its modular three-piece design makes transportation and deployment straightforward while maintaining the strength and versatility required for demanding water, wastewater and civil infrastructure projects.
Applications Across the Water Industry
Permanent davit base installations are ideal for infrastructure where maintenance crews require regular confined space access, including:
- Pump stations
- Sewer and stormwater networks
- Valve chambers
- Wet wells
- Water treatment plants
- Wastewater treatment facilities
- Reservoir infrastructure
- Utility and civil construction assets
By installing permanent bases during construction or as part of an asset upgrade programme, organisations can create dedicated access points that improve efficiency throughout the life of the asset.
Engineered Solutions from NZ Access
At NZ Access, we work with councils, water authorities, contractors and infrastructure owners to design complete confined space entry and rescue systems tailored to each site.
Our services include system design, equipment supply, installation, certification and ongoing compliance support, ensuring every installation is configured to meet operational requirements while helping simplify future maintenance activities.
If you're designing new infrastructure or upgrading existing confined space assets, our team can help specify the right combination of davits, permanent bases and rescue equipment for your application.
Learn more:
ā¢ BTS Pro-6G 3-Piece Davit
https://shop.nzaccess.co.nz/products/bts-pro-6g-davit-mast-height-1-9m-2-2m
ā¢ Permanent Davit Bases
https://shop.nzaccess.co.nz/collections/permanent-davit-bases