Scour Protection Pontoon Access

Floating platforms for scour inspections, monitoring and protection works around bridges, piers, abutments and waterway structures.

Floating Access for Scour Inspection & Protection Works

FPS Pontoon Hire provides modular floating platforms for teams inspecting, monitoring and carrying out scour protection works around bridge piers, abutments, culverts, outfalls and other structures in water.

FPS can provide UK-wide delivery, installation, hire and removal, with edge protection, scaffold access, work boats, safety boats and temporary works support available where required.

Typical Applications

• Bridge piers and abutments
• Scour surveys and monitoring
• Protection and remediation works
• Waterway foundations and training walls
• Environmental and condition assessments

Planning, Stability & Water Safety

Platform size, working loads, positioning, restraint, access and water-safety controls are reviewed for the proposed activity. More complex arrangements can be supported by temporary works design and stability calculations.

Why Floating Access Helps Scour Work

Scour usually develops at the base of piers, abutments and other structures in the water, often where flow is strongest and bank access is limited. A floating platform gives inspection and repair teams a stable position close to the affected area without relying on access from the bridge deck or bank.

Typical Scour Activities

• Visual inspection and diving-team support
• Depth and bed-level surveys around piers
• Placement of rock, gabions or grout bags by suitable methods
• Repairs to pier bases, aprons and toe protection
• Installation and checking of monitoring equipment
• Post-flood inspections

Working in Flowing Water

Scour locations are often in faster, changing water, so the platform arrangement, restraint and operating limits are planned around flow, depth, debris and water-level changes. Work may need to be timed for lower flows, and the arrangement reviewed if conditions change.

Loads, Materials & Temporary Works

Protection works can involve heavy materials and concentrated loads. Material weights, placement method and any plant are confirmed during planning so the pontoon can be configured and, where required, supported by temporary works design and stability calculations.

Work boats, safety boats and edge protection can be added where the scope requires them. See also our Bridge Inspection and Diving Support pages.