Floating Work Platforms & Access Platforms for Hire
Modular floating access platforms and work decks for maintenance, repair, plant and construction projects over water across the UK.
Floating Access Platforms for Commercial Projects
FPS Pontoon Hire provides modular floating work platforms for construction, maintenance, inspection and repair projects where the workface can only be reached effectively from the water.
Our pontoons create practical deck space for operatives, tools, materials, scaffold towers and suitable plant, with the size and shape configured around the structure, working area and site conditions.
Floating work platforms can be used beneath bridges, alongside harbour and quay walls, on canals and reservoirs, around culverts and water-control structures, and for a wide range of other commercial works over water.
We provide UK-wide delivery, installation, hire and removal, with edge protection, work boats, safety boats and temporary works support available where required.
Modular Pontoon Work Platforms for Access, Plant & Equipment
Typical single-height working load: 175 kg/m², evenly distributed.
A single-height platform reaches approximately 350 kg/m² at full immersion, so FPS normally works to 50% of that figure to retain freeboard and a clear safety margin.
Where greater buoyancy or load capacity is required, additional pontoon layers or a larger platform footprint may be used. The allowable working load does not automatically double and must be assessed for the complete project arrangement.
Plant, scaffold and concentrated loads are assessed from the actual weights, footprints, load distribution, stability and site conditions rather than from the square-metre figure alone.
Because the system is modular, the platform can be adapted to the project rather than forcing the works around a fixed pontoon size.
Typical applications include:
- Bridge and structural repairs
- Concrete, masonry and steelwork maintenance
- Painting, cleaning and surface preparation
- Scaffold-supported access
- Suitable plant and equipment platforms
- De-silting and watercourse works
- Harbour, quay and retaining-wall maintenance
- Pump, pipework and utility access
- Temporary debris or protection platforms
- Inspection and maintenance of waterside assets
For specialist applications, see our Bridge Maintenance, Floating Scaffold, Geotechnical Investigation and Watercourse Maintenance pages.
Floating pontoons can provide a stable working area for maintenance and repair teams where access from the bank, bridge deck or surrounding ground is restricted.
The deck can be configured around the structure and task to provide space for operatives, tools, materials and suitable equipment close to the workface.
Work platforms are frequently used beneath and alongside bridges for concrete, masonry and steelwork repairs, bearing access, joint works, cleaning, painting and other structural maintenance.
For bridge-specific projects, see our Bridge Maintenance Pontoons page.
Where suitable for the project, modular pontoons can be configured to support plant, tools and equipment required for the works.
The proposed equipment, point loads, operating loads and deck requirements are reviewed during planning so the pontoon configuration can be assessed for the intended use.
Where additional working height is required, a floating work platform can provide the base for an appropriate scaffold access arrangement.
Scaffold footprint, height, loads, restraint and pontoon stability must be considered together. See our Floating Pontoon Scaffold Tower Hire page for more detail.
Floating platforms can provide close access for pressure washing, cleaning, painting, coating and other surface-preparation works on bridges, walls and waterside structures.
Deck protection, debris controls and the working area can be planned around the process and materials being used.
Modular pontoons can provide working space for de-silting, vegetation clearance and other watercourse maintenance activities where bank access is difficult.
Platforms can be configured around suitable plant, tools and the required working area. See our Watercourse Maintenance page for specialist applications.
Floating work platforms can be positioned alongside harbour walls, quay walls, retaining structures and waterfront buildings to provide access to areas that are difficult to reach from land.
The platform can provide both the working area and additional deck space for tools, materials and access equipment.
Floating platforms can support inspection, maintenance and installation works involving pumps, pipework, screens and other water-related infrastructure.
The deck arrangement can be developed around the asset, access route, lifting requirements and proposed equipment.
Where direct access at the workface is not available, the pontoon can often be assembled at a suitable launch point and moved into position.
Ropes, work boats, suitable propulsion, spud arrangements or other restraint methods may be used depending on the waterway, platform configuration and temporary works requirements.
Platform size, buoyancy, freeboard, working loads, point loads, water conditions and restraint all influence the final arrangement.
More complex platforms, plant-supported arrangements or scaffold installations can be supported by temporary works design and stability calculations where required.
Edge protection and water-safety controls are planned around the work activity, platform layout and access requirements.
Depending on the project, FPS can provide edge protection, gates, life-saving equipment, work boats and safety boats as part of the agreed scope.
Every floating work platform is planned around the actual site and scope.
We consider factors including:
- Required working area and platform shape
- Operatives, tools, materials and plant loads
- Water depth, flow and changing levels
- Access and launch points
- Positioning and restraint
- Scaffold or additional access requirements
- Environmental and navigation constraints
- Installation, hire and removal programme
FPS can then deliver, assemble and position the platform and return to dismantle and remove it at the end of the hire.
Our service can include modular floating work platform hire, UK-wide delivery, installation and removal, bespoke platform configurations, edge protection, scaffold access, work and safety boats, positioning support and temporary works input where required.
Use Work Platforms For…
- Concrete repairs
- Brickwork repairs
- Bridge maintenance
- Project-specific catch and debris-control platform arrangements
- Engineered temporary catch-deck arrangements
- Demolition of bridges
- De-silting
- Vegetation clearance
And There’s More…
- Shot blasting and painting
- Railway bridge steelwork repair
- Floating plant
- Floating scaffold towers
- Pier leg maintenance
- Harbour wall repairs
- Pumping platforms and pipe support
- Watercourse screen clearance
Frequently asked questions
What is the working load of a floating work platform?
The typical single-height working load is 175 kg/m², evenly distributed.
What work can be done from a floating access platform?
Typical work includes bridge and structural repairs, concrete, masonry and steelwork maintenance, painting and surface preparation, scaffold-supported access, de-silting and vegetation works, harbour and retaining-wall maintenance, and pump and utility access.
Can plant or machinery go on a work pontoon?
Yes, if it is designed in from the start. We need the weight, footprint, working position and dynamic actions. Concentrated loads may need load-spreading or a temporary works assessment.
Do you provide edge protection and safety boats?
Yes. Edge protection, work boats, safety boats and temporary works support can all be included.
See our Monikie Reservoir floating access platform. We also offer floating scaffold pontoon hire and core drilling access over water.
Discuss Your Floating Work Platform Project
Planning maintenance, repair, plant or access works over water? Tell us the required working area, site conditions, personnel, tools, equipment and anticipated loads and we can review a suitable floating work platform arrangement.
Call 01253 921 352 or request a quote online.
