The 114m high ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower is one of London’s newest iconic structures. The concept of building the world’s longest and tallest tube slide within the structure of the tower was proposed by the London Legacy Development Corporation, to attract more visitors to the site.

The slide was designed by Carsten Höller, comprising a stainless steel tube that spirals around and through the convoluted tower steelwork, supported by a series of struts and tie rods and running an overall distance of 178m whilst descending 76m.

CAN’s proposal for construction of the slide required access into many high-level areas of the Tower, in order to install rigging and associated equipment. CAN technicians used a variety of rope access techniques to access the dense steelwork through which the slide was routed.

Individual slide components were lifted from ground level using a drum winch attached to kentledge, enabling the system to be moved into various locations within the constricted area around the base of the tower.

Many lifts required high level load transfers between winches to move the components around and through constrictions. To add to the challenge, most tube sections were in excess of 6m long and fabricated from lightweight thin-walled material, demanding great care and finesse.

The slide was installed and commissioned within the specified 14-week programme in time for the published opening and associated press coverage.

BBC One Show: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03z7pxf 

Duration:        14 weeks

Client:             Buckingham Group

Location:        Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London