Safety Plus Showcases Roof Access Platform at 717 Collins Street

Custom cooling tower access project demonstrates how integrated platforms and ladders can support safer, more practical rooftop maintenance.

MELBOURNE, Australia, 6 August 2026 — Safety Plus Australia has highlighted a tailored roof access project completed at 717 Collins Street for Knight Frank, demonstrating how an integrated access system can improve the way technicians reach and service rooftop cooling towers.

The project brief called for safe access to the top of multiple cooling towers while minimising the number of individual access ladders required. It also called for a stable working area that would allow technicians to reach the cooling tower fans during future servicing and maintenance activities.

To address these requirements, the project incorporated a connecting roof access platform that linked the cooling towers and created a more practical route between the individual units.

Instead of requiring technicians to repeatedly climb and descend separate ladders, the connected platform was designed to provide access across the equipment area while supporting maintenance work around multiple fan units.

Access Designed Around the Rooftop Equipment

Commercial cooling towers, air-conditioning systems and other rooftop mechanical equipment can create difficult access conditions for maintenance teams. The location, height and arrangement of each unit must be considered when developing an appropriate access system.

Safety Plus Australia designs, manufactures and installs customised roof platforms using lightweight structural aluminium. Each system can be adapted to the client’s site, equipment layout and servicing requirements.

Mechanical access systems may incorporate levelled walkways, stairs, handrails, roof hatches, height safety equipment and ladder access. These components can be combined to create a complete access route rather than treating each piece of rooftop equipment as an isolated access point.

“This project demonstrates the importance of designing roof access around how technicians will actually inspect and maintain the equipment,” said David Hogan, General Manager at Safety Plus Australia.

“By linking the cooling towers with a dedicated platform, the system could minimise the number of ladder access points while providing a more practical working area for future servicing. Every site is different, which is why the access system needs to respond to the building, the equipment and the work being performed.”

Combining Roof Access Ladders and Platforms

A roof access ladder remains an essential part of many commercial and industrial access systems. However, the location and number of ladders should be carefully considered when multiple pieces of equipment require routine access.

Safety Plus Australia supplies a broad range of aluminium ladder systems, including angled ladders, caged ladders, extendable roof ladders, fold-down ladders, fixed roof access ladders, step and stair systems, and vertical static line ladders.

Ladder systems can also be customised with support brackets, locks, cages, frames, lockable gates, rails, walkways, access platforms, anchor points and harness systems.

For the 717 Collins Street project, the platform-based approach allowed the cooling towers to be connected while reducing the need for a separate roof access ladder at every servicing point.

The result provides an example of how ladders and platforms can function as parts of a coordinated access system rather than as individual products selected without consideration for the broader maintenance route.

Custom Systems for Ongoing Maintenance

Safety Plus Australia’s access platforms are custom designed and manufactured to suit individual client requirements. Its platform, walkway, stairway and ladder systems are designed to comply with the relevant requirements of AS/NZS 1657 and applicable statutory codes of practice.

Structural aluminium also provides flexibility when designing access around existing plant, restricted rooftop spaces and irregular equipment layouts. The material is lightweight, durable and corrosion resistant, making it suitable for exposed rooftop and mechanical-service environments.

Building owners, facility managers and designers can use customised access systems to improve access to service points and provide technicians with a stable route for routine inspections, maintenance and repairs.

The 717 Collins Street project illustrates how a carefully planned roof access platform can connect multiple pieces of equipment, reduce unnecessary ladder movements and support the ongoing servicing requirements of a commercial property.

Businesses can view the 717 Collins Street project or contact Safety Plus Australia to discuss a customised roof access ladder, platform or complete height safety system.

About Safety Plus Australia

Safety Plus Australia is an Australian-owned and operated height safety specialist that has been providing workplace access and fall-protection solutions since 1990.

Operating from its head office in Knoxfield, Victoria, the company designs, manufactures, supplies, installs, inspects and certifies height safety and roof access systems for businesses throughout Australia.

Its product range includes roof access ladders, platforms, walkways, handrails, roof hatches, anchor points, static lines, cooling tower access systems and other customised height safety solutions.

Media Contact

Safety Plus Australia

14/103 Lewis Road

Knoxfield, Victoria 3180

Australia

Phone: 1300 713 566

Email: info@safetyplusaustralia.com.au

Website: https://safetyplusaustralia.com.au/

Contact Information:

Safety Plus Australia

14/103 Lewis Road
Knoxfield, Victoria 3180
Australia

Renee Francis
+61 1300 713 566
https://safetyplusaustralia.com.au