Since its foundation in 1960 Vater Corporation (Aust) Pty Ltd has grown into one of Western Australia’s leading privately owned companies and it now employs more than 120 staff across five states.

Vater Corporation is known for its ELTRAK and ELGATE brands which have become synonymous as a premium quality and value for money product that is recognised and elevated by our peers to market leadership across Australia hence to the reason Kwikclamp has partnered up with Charlie and his team in WA, as we believe the strong demand for Modular galvanized handrail in Perth will compliment their list of products .

Kwikclamp Systems specialise in the supply a huge range of Modular Handrail and pedestrian barrier solutions

Kwikclamp has been independently tested and certified to meet and exceed Australian Standards AS1428 and AS1657 for our safety barriers and handrails systems and we are looking forward to working with each other.

A warm welcome to our new distributor from everyone at Kwikclamp!

Contact details are:

56 O'Malley Street, Osborne Park
West Australia 6017

Telephone: (08) 9492 8444
Facsimile: (08) 9244 5635

Email: perth@vaterhardware.com

Working with Kwikclamp and other Distributors.

Our growing list of National distributors allows us to offer a local service wherever you are. Kwikclamp Systems supports our distributor network with Product information and application case studies to ensure the local sales team can react quickly to your enquiry with any Modular handrail solution or quotation. When your local distributor finds additional assistance is required from Kwikclamp Systems we respond almost immediately with suggestions to demonstrate a solution to your Handrail or barrier application.

Kwikclamp products are used extensively to create a wide range of trolley bays for the return and storage of shopping trolleys. The modular nature of the fittings allows an endless variety of designs and possibilities for fast and easy installation anywhere.

All materials can be pre-cut off site, taken to the job site and very quickly installed without the need for expensive on-site welding equipment and skilled labour. Jobs can be completed without disruption to the site or shoppers. Creative designs enable the inclusion and placement of signs and all sorts of other structures.

Workplace safety regulations require any elevated storage area to have safety barriers on stairs and the storage platform extremities. Kwikclamp customers use our products to erect highly effective compliant barriers and handrails in mezzanine floor and access stairs. In this example the barrier elements were all powder coated a safety orange for added visibility.

For installations like this one, Kwikclamp can supply ..

• custom made stair barrier panels - typically most stairs are 36 degrees
• Panel pickets are 120mm spacing to comply with AS1657 requirements
• Various clamp fittings are available to suit the stair design / construction - flat on stair tread, onto angled stair sides ot to the outside face  of steel or timber components

With increasingly demanding workplace safety requirements, providing safety handrails around an elevated air conditioning platform on a roof top provides a great example of how versatile and useful the modular clamp system is. In this classic installation, all the materials were prepared in the workshop and taken to site.

By using the modular, pre-prepared system, the installation was easily and quickly achieved resulting in ...

• faster instllation time compared to onsite fabrication
• no expensive and onerous "hot work" associated with onsite welding methods
• no specialist trades or skills (i.e. no certified welder tradesmen) required, unskilled workers are easily able to install modular fittings in instances like this
• Less installation time and labour means a more competitive job versus welded handrail system
• Easy side mounting of the base flanges to the platform superstructure

Finally, after coming across the clamp range of slip on galvanised iron clamps, the idea of creating sturdy soccer goals out of steel occurred to us.

Benefits of using pipe clamps

Using clamp fittings offered a wide range of benefits in constructing the soccer goals. First of all, it is quick, safe and easy to assemble (the kids took over the assembly after the first couple of screws), you need a minimum of tools (an allen key will suffice), it is easy to take apart in case of storage or moving, and finally, as we discovered, fixing mistakes is a simple procedure of unscrewing and replacing the fittings in the correct positions.

What you need

• Galvanised steel posts
• Slip on iron clamp fittings
• Measuring tape
• Allen key or drill with hex bit
• Grinder with steel cutting blade (unless posts ordered cut to length)
• Heavy duty bird netting
• Nylon string

Step 1 – Design your goals

Obviously, the first step is to create a design and plan of the soccer goal you want to create. We opted to create a 3 meter wide and 2 meter high goal, width a depth of 1.25 meters for extra stability. We also chose the thin 25 NB (33mm thick) posts, as the thicker the posts, the higher costs in materials you accrue, and the heavier it will be to move.

Not the actual plan used...

Step 2 – Create material list

With the above design, we calculated that for one soccer goal, we needed the following lengths of pipe:

• 2 X 3000mm
• 2 X 2000mm
• 2 X 1600mm
• 2 X 1250mm
• 2 X 850mm

3 lengths of 6500mm 25NB posts will be sufficient to create a soccer goal of the same size we opted for, although if you want a bigger size goal or a different design you will need to work out your cutting list and materials needed.

To connect the posts together into the soccer goal frame, we needed the following clamp fittings:

• 2 X 125 series
• 4 X 124 series
• 4 X 128 series

Step 3 – Cut the posts to length

Unless you have ordered the posts already cut to length, you will need to cut the pipe into the correct lengths. Work out how to get the most out of the lengths you have and to minimise waste. Measure the right length, mark it with a permanent marker, and cut it using a grinder with a metal cutting disc. Make certain that you wear suitable protective gear when cutting, and to avoid the pipe closing in on the grinding blade while cutting.

Step 4 Assemble the goal frame

Place the steel posts on a flat surface and attach them using the clamp fittings. The clamp fittings slip on the posts and fasten by winding a fastening screw onto the post. Wind the screws in using an allen key or a drill with the correct size hex bit (For our fittings, we got by using a number 6 hex bit. If you happen to make a mistake, do not panic. It is a simple procedure to unscrew the clamp screws and rectify the mistake.

Tip: assemble the two side frames first before attaching the horizontal bars last.

In the above left image, you can notice that we added the 3 way corner fitting to the incorrect corner (it should have been on the bottom right corner rather than the bottom left, as rectified in the right hand image). This was noticed after full assembly, but took less than 5 minutes to rectify.

Step 5 – Attach the net

We acquired some heavy duty bird netting from the local produce place. The netting came in 5 meter widths, so we got a 6 X 5 meter length of mesh to cover the goal frame. In hindsight, I would have ordered a 6.5m length, as it was a stretch to fit it all around the frame. We recommend fastening by winding a nylon string in and around the posts and netting. We used some reusable plastic strips to fasten the netting, as that was what we found lying around. Cut the excess netting off and enjoy.

Note for improvements & tips:

After assembly, it was noticeable that the top back angle could use some more support, as the netting adds inwards pressure on the posts. It is worth considering adding another 3000mm horizontal bar for added stability with a couple of 101 series fittings. The boys are already asking when we are going to make a second goal. When we get a chance, it is no problem to add this extra bar in retrospect.
Even though the extra depth used makes it hard to topple over, it is recommended to use some tent pegs to hold the goal in place.

Fencing applications

Kwikclamp fittings together with steel pipe and our barrier panels are excellent for barrier fencing and fencing enclosures. The fittings and pipe can be combined with custom made or off the shelf fence panels or wire mesh products to create the perfect enclosure or barrier. Here is a list of some barrier fencing and enclosures that can be created using Kwikclamp fittings.

• Pool fencing
• Dog kennels
• Trolley bays
  
• Large aviaries
• High-rise storage enclosure
• Stables & horse pens / bays
  
• Man cave
• Zoo enclosures
• Safety hand rails & barriers
• Bikeway and pedestrian barriers

Security & Barrier applications

Kwikclamp products are also perfect for barriers and security applications. Create perfect and secure installations to prevent people going where they are not supposed to, keep them away from dangerous machinery, create fall prevention systems as well as queue management systems. Kwikclamps are also used in barrier systems between roads and bike / foot paths.

• Balustrading
• Crowd control systems
• Queue management systems
• Machinery enclosures
• Temporary security balustrading
• Security enclosures
• Safety enclosures
• Roadside barrier
• Guardrails
• Roof Guardrails
  
• Rooftop fall prevention system
• Exhibition barriers

Handrail application

Create great smooth inline handrails with the Kwikclamp DDA Assist range. The fittings are designed to fit flush with the steel pipe. Correct use of the fittings will also help you comply with the Australian Standard AS1428 for access and disability. The ease of installation and uninstallation makes KWikclamp fittings an excellent choice for temporary handrails as well.

• Handrails for stairs
• Disability Assist rail
• Temporary handrails
• Elevated Platform handrails
• Railway handrails
• Guardrails

Sports applications

In addition to security and fencing applications, Kwikclamp products can help create a wide range of structures for other applications, including sporting applications. You can obviously create a range of handrail and safety solutions for sports stadiums and halls of all sizes and you can also create unique solutions such as solid backyard soccer goals, hockey goals, exercise equipment such as chin up bars, dip bars and more. You can also create great storage systems and racks for sporting equipment such as dinghy racks, kayak racks and more. Want to delve into the popular sport of pole dancing? Grab two flanges and cut a pipe to the correct length to install a pole from floor to ceiling in your exercise room.

• Soccer Goals
• Rugby goals
• Hockey goals
• Sports field fencing
• Sports practice nets
• Cage fighting
• Exercise equipmentSkateboard rails
  • Chin up bars
  • Wall exercise frame
  • Dip bars
  • Sit up bench
• Sports stadium barriers
• Spectator handrails
• Dinghy Racks
• Kayak racks
• Surf board racks
• Pole dancing

 Fun applications

In addition to sporting applications, Kwikclamp fittings can be used to create excellent playground and play centre equipment. Use your creativity to design climbing frames, monkey bars, balance beams and excellent structures. If you have created structures from Meccano, you will have no problems designing and constructing great Iclamp play structures the kids will go nuts over.

• Playground climbing frame
• Indoor playcentre structures
• Monkey bars
• Balance beam
• Playground bridge
• Newton’s cradle
• Art & Sculptures
• Meccano Set

Commercial applications

Kwikclamp fittings and pipe products can also be used to create top solutions for businesses of all sizes. The range has been used to create shopping trolley bays, retail POS systems, storage shelving, billboard and banner display frames, market stalls and more.

• Retail POS system
• Exhibition stands
• Storage shelving
• Roadside sign installation
• Display stands
• Market stalls
• Billboard frames
• Trolley bays

Furniture

• Pipe beds
• Bunk beds
• Work bench
• Shelves

 Storage Solutions

Create top storage solutions for tool sheds, garages, shelving and more with the help of Kwikclamp fittings. With the ability to loosen the screws, the shelves are then able to be disassembled into flat sections for easy moving.

• Rack shelving
• Garage shelving
• Tool shelf
• Cycle racks

 Undercover Structures

Want to create an undercover structure without employing expensive builders? Framing up a structure is easy with steel pipe and Kwikclamp fittings. Create weld-free solutions for bike sheds, carports, canopies, greenhouses and shade structures.

• Bike shed

• Carport
• Canopies
• Greenhouse
• Temporary structures
• Shade structures

Agricultural uses

Let’s not forget about the agricultural industry. Surely pipe clamp products can be used there too? You’re correct, of course. Kwikclamp fittings have been used to create milking parlours, animal enclosures as well as much needed shade structures in paddocks amongst other things.

• Milking parlours
• Agricultural Enclosures
• Paddock shade structures
• Bird-proof garden structures

 There will obviously be countless of other applications where Kwikclamp fittings will make construction easier. Whatever your idea is, send it through, and we will work out the materials needed in addition to the cost.

Note: some images in this story may not be Kwikclamp products, any such images are used to illustrate and depict typical uses of modular pipe clamp fittings.