Project case study
Stainless Steel Tank Ladder Installation
Client
Water industry client
Location
Leinster, Ireland
Sector
Water Industry
Duration
6 weeks design + fabrication, 2-day install
- 30+ years delivering projects like this
- Free site survey
- Quote within 48 hours
30+ years
Engineering experience
EN 1090 / EN ISO 14122
Fabricated to standard
Quote within 48 hours
Free site survey
Drogheda based
Working Ireland-wide
Overview
NR Engineering was engaged to design, fabricate and install bespoke 316 stainless steel access ladders on a series of treated water storage tanks for an Irish water industry client. The package included internal and external access ladders, integrated rest landings and safety cages, and was delivered inside a tight planned-outage window.
Scope of works
- Site survey of three storage tanks
- Fabrication drawings for sign-off
- 316 stainless ladder fabrication
- Safety cages, rest landings and handrails
- Top-of-tank handover detail
- Installation during planned outage
- Inspection records and as-built drawings
Challenges
The tanks were in active service and could only be taken offline for a short planned outage. All fabrication had to be complete, delivered to site and ready to install in a single coordinated window. Welding had to meet hygienic standards for potable water contact and all material had to be fully traceable for the client's asset records.
Solution
We measured the tanks during a brief access window, issued fabrication drawings for client sign-off within a week, and prefabricated everything in our dedicated stainless workshop bays. Modular delivery to site allowed installation to start within hours of the asset being isolated, with all welding completed before the next inspection point.
Materials used
Fabrication process
Fabrication was carried out by coded TIG welders in our dedicated stainless workshop. Each ladder was assembled on a jig to maintain dimensional accuracy and welded with full WPS coverage. After fabrication, every component was pickled and passivated to restore corrosion resistance, then inspected and tagged with full material traceability.
Installation process
Installation was carried out by Safe Pass certified crews working to a permit-to-work issued by the asset operator. Modular ladder sections were lifted into position, aligned and bolted to the prepared bracket locations. Inspection sign-off was completed the same day.
Project gallery
Results
The asset was returned to service inside the planned outage window with full as-built documentation, inspection records and material traceability supplied to the operator. The new access systems meet current EN ISO 14122-4 requirements and are expected to serve safely for 25+ years.
Project context
Sectors, assets and materials involved in this water industry project
What this project touched — the facility type, the assets worked on, the steel grades specified and the engineering disciplines applied.
Material
Stainless Steel
Grade 304 and 316L stainless worked in a segregated bay, pickled and passivated for water, food and pharmaceutical duty.
Capability
Fabrication
Cutting, forming, drilling and assembly in our Drogheda workshop, working from approved fabrication drawings.
Asset
Storage Tanks & Vessels
Tank access ladders, cages, rest landings and top-of-tank walkways designed around the vessel's shell and loading.
Capability
Welding
MIG, TIG and MMA welding by welders coded to EN ISO 9606, with procedures and visual inspection records on request.
Asset
Fixed Access Ladders
Permanent means of access fabricated and certified to EN ISO 14122-4, with safety cages, gates and rest platforms.
Capability
Site Engineering
Surveys, setting out, on-site modifications and as-built records delivered by engineers used to live sites.
Related services
More from NR Engineering
Why NR Engineering
Why engineers and facilities managers choose NR Engineering
Three decades of design, fabrication and installation for industrial, water and construction clients across Ireland — with the paperwork, certification and programme discipline to match.
- 30+ Years
- Engineering and fabrication experience
- 500+ Projects
- Delivered across Ireland
- 40+ Clients
- Repeat industrial and construction clients
- Nationwide
- Drogheda workshop, site teams Ireland-wide
What we guarantee
- Free site survey and measure
- Written quotation within 48 hours
- Fabricated to EN 1090 / EN ISO 14122
- Coded welders, Safe Pass certified crews
- Agreed programme dates in writing
- 24/7 emergency callout for maintenance clients
Client feedback
What Irish contractors and plant managers say about working with us.
“NR delivered our structural steelwork on programme and to spec. Their site team integrated cleanly with our main contractor.”
“We've used NR for hygienic stainless modifications across two pharma sites. Documentation and finish are first-class.”
“Reliable callout, properly skilled crew and a workshop that can fabricate spares when OEM lead times don't suit.”
Next step
Tell us what you need built, installed or maintained.
Send us drawings, photos or a short description. We'll come back with a written quotation — usually within 48 hours — and arrange a free site survey where it's needed.
- Free site survey and measure
- Written quotation within 48 hours
- Fabricated to EN 1090 / EN ISO 14122
- Coded welders, Safe Pass certified crews