Partner: Global Concept Safety

Country: France

Solution: XSLinked horizontal lifeline system (★★★★)

Safeguarding historic train station with advanced horizontal lifeline systems

Train stations can often be a dangerous location when it comes on heights. especially when the building has a lack on modern features like fall protection. For example, installing fall arrest systems on canopies or access points that require workers to reach high areas can prevent falls.  Our partner Jérôme Riehl installed an XSLinked lifeline system one the oldest trainstations in the North of France, Gare de Valenciennes.

Valenciennes station opened in 1842. the station is served by high-speed trains to Paris and regional trains to Lille, Douai, Cambrai, Charleville-Mézières, and Maubeuge. It has 7 tracks and multiple platforms, handling 3,144,191 passengers annually.

The station of Valenciennes is the oldest of the Compagnie des chemins de fer du Nord and formed an important connection to the railway network of the Belgian State Railways in 1842, particularly the connection to Brussels.

A unique feature is the annual TGV service arranged by the Archdiocese of Cambrai, transporting pilgrims to the famous Lourdes.

Safe Access to Platform Canopy thanks to the XSLinked lifeline system

The passenger building at Valenciennes station, dating back to 1842, features a platform canopy with lifeline systems that were due for replacement. Our Certified Partner, Global Concept Safety, was commissioned by MSC —a specialist in metal constructions and joinery — to install the replacement XSLinked Wall and Overhead lifeline systems. Our partner Jérôme Riehl from Global Concept Safety enthusiastically shares his insights on this case study:

Photos and schematics were different in reality

“In response to our client’s request to replace an existing, non-compliant’ lifeline – for which no original documentation or technical records were available – we were contacted by MSCS, a company specializing in metal constructions and joinery, to carry out this operation at Valenciennes station.

During our discussions, it was emphasized that two additional lifelines needed to be installed above the station’s canopy to ensure safe movement on the two footbridges that were to be placed”.

Before starting, Jérôme received only a few photos and schematics. After analysis, it was agreed to install three XSLinked Wall & Overhead lifelines, chemically anchored to the brick façades. However, this did not go smoothly, ultimately requiring a customized solution.

Another approach required to follow up the standards

“Upon my arrival on-site, the defective lifeline was replaced using chemical anchoring on the surface. However, the existing building elements made it impossible to attach the two new lifelines to the surface. There were too many obstacles in line with the footbridge, making an installation with sufficient continuity unfeasible. I was therefore forced to look for an alternative solution to the original installation.”

During this search, Jérôme contacted Bregt Zwijsen from XSPlatforms. “After multiple discussions with Bregt, we arrived at an alternative anchoring system that met the applicable standards. Thanks to our expertise in this field, we were able to convince the client to produce custom-made components that met both the lifeline’s specifications and the building’s structural conditions. The result is an almost inconspicuous fall protection system that could be mounted directly onto the structure—delivering a high-quality and safe final solution.”

Before starting, Jérôme received only a few photos and schematics. After analysis, it was agreed to install three XSLinked Wall & Overhead lifelines, chemically anchored to the brick façades. However, this did not go smoothly, ultimately requiring a customized solution.