25 years - 25 reference works
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# Champalimaud Foundation Baker Hughes Norge AS' branch in Stavanger, Norway Itaipu - Hydroelectric Central Guadarrama Tunnel Queen Isabel and Amavida ships Rehabilitation of the Rossio Railway Tunnel 25 Years - 25 reference works Over 25 years there have been many challenges the Everlux team had to face, there were many difficulties we had to overcome to achieve our customer satisfaction. It would be impossible to report all of them, but this project - "25 Years - 25 reference works" - intends to share with you examples of the biggest challenges, the most challenging projects, the most complex works and the most representative works during these 25 Years of Everlux. With the presentation of these 25 stories we hope to give you the chance to get to know a little more of the Everlux history, while we express our gratitude for your preference. The only reason for the choice of this first work - Rehabilitation of Rossio Railway Tunnel - is exactly to thank and honor the Engineer José Cartaxo Vicente! Project: Champalimaud Foundation Project Owner: Champalimaud Foundation Architect: Charles Correa General Contractor: Mota Engil / HCI Safety Project: Copreng Dealer: Prosegur Year: 2010 Everlux Product: Excellence by Sinalux This month we want you to visit with us another reference work that has been assigned to us along these 25 years: the Champalimaud Centre, from the Champalimaud Foundation. This project has a special meaning for us since it was our first big project done with Excellence by Sinalux, the range that we have developed for an harmonious co-existence between the signage elements and the upscale environment, emphasising on the aesthetics and decorative style. Champalimaud Foundation was created in 2004, as an organism that focuses on "cutting-edge research and strives to stimulate new discoveries and knowledge which can improve the health and well-being of people around the world.”   About 6 years after, on October 5th, 2010, the Champalimaud Centre was inaugurated at Lisbon, as a campus dedicated to the development of the most advanced multidisciplinary and translational research in the field of biomedicine. The project, by architect Charles Correa (Hyderabad, India, 1930), has been built on a 60,000 m2 site in the privileged riverside zone of Pedrouços. The work has produced a centre where, in the words of Leonor Beleza, president of the Champalimaud Foundation, "patients are treated and research is undertaken, with the ambition to incorporate the results of the research into clinical practice as quickly as possible"   Everlux was the company consulted by Copreng, the company that was responsible for the building safety project, for supporting the safety signage. The Excellence by Sinalux was then a new product, result of the Everlux continuous innovation. However, the designer’s team acknowledge the product differentiating characteristics, therefore choosing it to signalize the building noble and public areas. The Excellence by Everlux signage innovation results from the choice of distinctive materials, such as acrylic and steel, from the use of coloured photoluminescent (phosphorescent) pigments – that guarantee the colours identification even in the absence of light – and also from an innovating and differentiating design. The Everlux team followed the complete installation process closely, in articulation with our dealer Prosegur, so that, although this was the product first installation, everything was done correctly. The Champalimaud Foundation was totally satisfied with the project delivered, which represented the installation of about 360 Excellence by Sinalux signs (in addition to about 900 Sinalux signs and 40 Emergency Plans installed at the parking and technical areas).   One of the main curiosities of this project, with a total cost of 100 million euros, relates to the fact that it only took 730 days, thus complying with the deadline for its completion. The quality of the final result is confirmed with references such as the one from the North American magazine "The Scientist ", which in 2012 elected the Champalimaud Centre as the best place, outside the US, for researchers to develop their post-doctoral work. Surely one worldwide reference work in which Everlux is proud to have collaborated by providing an innovative and distinctive product, the Excellence by Everlux signage, always fulfilling its main objective: to decisively contribute to an effective sites and people security.06-02-2015 «Return Baker Hughes Norge AS' branch in Stavanger, Norway Project: Baker Hughes Norge AS' branch in Stavanger, Norway Project Owner: Baker Hughes Norge AS Dealer: Schou-Andreassen AS Year: 2011 Everlux Product: Everlux; Everlux LLL; Everlux RL e ExcellencebyEverlux Following this initiative, in which we have recalled some of the most memorable moments in the history of Everlux, over our 25 years of existence, we present another one of those moments: the project of Baker Hughes Norge AS' branch in Stavanger, Norway. This is one of the largest and most important projects that we have performed in an increasingly important market over the years. Another excellent w job done by the Everlux team. Baker Hughes Norge AS is a subsidiary of the centenary U.S. Company Baker Hughes Incorporated that is dedicated to providing services in the oil industry, and operates in 90 countries. Baker Hughes provides consultancy, products and services for drilling, pressure pumping, formation evaluation and production for the oil and gas industry worldwide. Our customer Schou Andreassen AS requested us to collaborate in the implementation of this project and in the selection of the most suitable safety signs for this project. This project contemplated the installation of safety signs in distinct areas, including corporate area (offices), laboratories and workshops. In such different environments, it is normal to use diverse signage. Everlux once again proved to be up to all challenges and provided ideal solutions for each area. The corporate area of the building is the ideal environment for ExcellencebyEverlux signs, and therefore this was the sign range chosen by the project leaders for that specific area. The combination of elegance and safety offered by the ExcellencebyEverlux brand turned out to be decisive in this choice. Due to the particularities of the building, it was not easy to install the Excellence by Everlux signs suspended from the ceiling, in type 3, and this task took longer than initially anticipated. This installation was performed in the framework which supports the false ceiling. From a total of 516 signs installed, with an estimated overall value of € 30,000, 47 ExcellencebyEverlux signs were installed in the corporate area of the building.  In the laboratories zone the choice was for the Everlux sign range. In this type of environment, safety signs have an even greater significance given the characteristics of the work performed there and its associated risks. Therefore, the correct identification of the required safety signs as well as their adequate installation, are essential to ensure that complete safety information is in place  In the workshops and in the production area, the diversity of the signs used was the largest of the entire building. Given the particular characteristics of those areas, the diversity of the operations that are conducted there, and the consequent high number of possible hazards, it was necessary to install Everlux, Everlux LLL and even Everlux RL signage. Everlux LLL (Low Location Lighting System), specially designed for floor level installations, ensured that escape routes were properly marked in all circumstances. Everlux RL, due to its unique combination of reflective and photoluminescent (phosphorescent) properties, was the most adequate choice to sign potential hazardous structures such as metallic stairs and other obstacles in areas where people and vehicles move simultaneously.  Another feature of this challenging project was the need for all signs with supplementary texts to be bilingual: English and Norwegian. As a curiosity, as the company is North American and many of their employees are also North American, the proofs of these signs which were initially sent with English expressions that are used in the UK, had to be changed to their American version. In the end, the client was fully satisfied and it was gratifying to realize that all of the efforts made, in cooperation with our customer Schou Andreassen AS, to address every safety sign needs in the building, were rewarded with another job well done and with the completion of yet another reference Everlux project. Everlux is proud to have its safety signs in several reference sites throughout the world, and we could not fail to mention this one, not only for being a great project done for a centenarian group, but also because it reflects the diversity of the Everlux product range and its applicability to all environments and needs, always fulfilling its main objective: to decisively contribute for an effective safety of premises and people. 07-07-14 «Return Itaipu - Hydroelectric Central Project: Itaipu Binacional – Hydroelectric Central Project Owner: Itaipu Binacional Dealer: Lupa Year: 2010 and 2013 Everlux Product: Everlux, Everlux LLL Here is another project from Everlux's 25 years: Itaipu - Hydroelectric Central. This project, carried out between 2010 and 2013 was one of the most complex and laborious and at the same time satisfying works that Everlux has accomplished until now. Undoubtedly a constant challenge that was overcome flawlessly by the Everlux team with huge success. The hydroelectric power station "Itaipú Binational" is the world's largest energy producing damdam in the world, beating successive records over the years, allowing it to fulfil 17.3% of Brazil's current energy needs and 72.5% of Paraguay`s. It has 20 generating units that assure an installed power capacity of 14,000 MW. It has a maximum water volume of 29 billion cubic meters in a length of 1,350 km ². Until 2006 it was the largest dam in the world in size and is now the second largest one, behind the Three Gorges Dam in China. The construction of the dam began in 1974 and initiated energy production only in May 1984. The dam has a length of about 8km and a height of 196m, the equivalent of a building of 65 floors. It took 12.3 million m3 of concrete and the iron and steel used would allow the construction of 380 Eiffel towers.  The dam is located in the Paraná River, border between Brazil and Paraguay and was in an hostile background (moment of post-war between Paraguay and Brazil) that the project began to take place, it can even be said that it was a reliever element and a catalyst in achieving peace between these two countries. This dam is called "Itaipú Binational" as it is owned by the two states: Brazil and Paraguay It was for a challenge of this magnitude that in 2010 Everlux was called to cooperate in order to meet a pressing need to Itaipú - photoluminescent (phosphorescent) safety signs. It might seem strange or even contradictory that the largest power generating unit of the world had the need of photoluminescent (phosphorescent) signage! As it produces energy, they should have unlimited access to emergency lighting, and for free. However the reality showed that made sense! During a small fire in the oil transformer, the release of smoke was so intense that created a barrier to the passage of light across the surrounding area, removing all the functionality of the existing emergency lighting, which left workers in a total darkness environment. It is well known (and already in the September 11 incident, in New York this also happened), emergency lighting is not visible in smoke release situations. In situations of spread fumes, only with photoluminescent (phosphorescent) signage (specifically for installation at ground level and in low-light environments) can ensure visibility of escape routes and exits signs.    Given the importance of the dam and effective need from their workers- a complete and insightful project where all issues and technical aspects related to the product were collected and prepared was required. It was considered the specificity of photoluminescent (phosphorescent) properties compared to existing levels of lighting in tunnels and galleries - in particular its stimulation capacity - the most suitable materials for the local installation - sometimes wet - the methods of fixation as the characteristics of their users - two nationalities and two languages - having all this results in an extremely extensive and thorough job. Everlux had the privilege to be called for a preliminary analysis stage and design phase, was also invited to participate in the acquisition of the material phase, which occurred during the year 2012. As Itaipú is a binational entity has specific legislation, not being valid only the Brazilian or Paraguayan. That was another factor that made this project unique because it did not comply just with the Brazilian legislation but, and additionally should comply with the specifications and procedures of Itaipú – A much more demanding law than national and international law. One requirement, for example, was that the winning company would have to be Brazilian or Paraguayan, although products could come from other countries and there were various offers. Everlux through one of our distributors was awarded second place losing to a Paraguayan company that was representing, according to them, the North America products. Given to the technical and stringent requirements of Itaipú, that Paraguayan company did not highlight and demonstrate its full compliance with the specifications established by them and therefore it was disqualified giving Everlux the opportunity of being the potential winner . Using all the experience acquired globally for over than two decades, and the solid technical knowledge that are indispensable in this scale, Everlux was able to prove its full and complete compliance with the specifications and quality of Everlux products and their suitability to the requirements specified. At that time, weighed heavily the fact that Everlux owned product certification - something that even if is not required in the Brazilian national law, is recognized as a differentiator within the referenced and global enterprises. Itaipu acquired in the beginning of 2013 about 3,600 Everlux signs for signaling escape routes and fire fighting equipment and about 8,000 Everlux-LLL signs (Low Location Lighting) for a total of almost 8km rails and photoluminescent (phosphorescent) signage for ground level, totaling an investment in safety signs approximately of $2,500,000.   Itaipú Binational is, surely, the world's reference not only in terms of power generation but also in the organization and commitment to the safety and welfare of its employees. It is certainly a project of reference for Ertecna and Everlux. Ertecna, Lda., owner of the brands Sinalux and Everlux, operates all over 60 countries on the 5 continents. Formed in 1989 and currently celebrating the 25th anniversary, the internationalization as the continuous innovation has been an ongoing goal.  Following this process of internationalization Ertecna created in 2005, in Brazil, the company Everlux Lda. Aiming to manufacture and market the photoluminescent (phosphorescent) signs in the Brazilian and other Latin American countries markets. The brand used in marketing our products in Brazil is Everlux (not Sinalux, as in Portugal).It was the largest investment made outside Portugal by Ertecna in way to diversify and consolidate the internationalization of our activities. With two premises where it is manufactured safety signs, one in Figueira da Foz, Portugal and another one in Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, in Brazil, the amount of business done outside of Portugal today represents over 50% of total . Note: These photos were kindly provided by Caio Coronel, Itaipú and Lupa. Project: Guadarrama Tunnel Project Owner: Iberpistas Dealer: CDAF Year: 2007 and 2008 Everlux Product: Everlux AL and Everlux LLL  The first tube was opened in 1963 and the second in 1972. In 2004 the concessionaire of the highway (Iberpistas) began building the third tube, which was thought to be a reversible tunnel. In reality the two existing tunnels could not drain the traffic flows, to and from Madrid, especially on weekends, holidays and festive seasons which forced drivers to endless gridlock. Thus, this third tunnel project included the change of the direction of use depending on the intensity of daily or seasonal traffic. As the existing legislation in Spain forced to adopt the security measures established by Community policy 2004/54/CEE it was assumed that such measures would be implemented in the 3 tubes, but in stages. The 1st phase in January 2007 with the inauguration of the new tunnel, and a 2nd phase, in January 2008, reformulating the 2 older tunnels. Everlux was present, with our client installer, in all preparatory meetings which aimed to the detailed study all the conditions, requirements and preparation for the launch of its specifications, budget and bid of the work. The complexity of this project forced the continuous monitoring by our client and also by Everlux as this was the first major work of Everlux in road tunnels. Nothing was left to chance, as all existing conditions in the tunnel were observed in person:
And the work presented a real challenge!  Being a tunnel in a high mountain with freezing temperatures in winter and the constant passage of snow plows trucks to pour salt, it was immediately assumed that the signs to be installed should be protected against these attacks thus ensuring a period of 5 years the concessionaire demanded. And this warranty should also cover the maintenance that the concessionaire does twice a year. This maintenance includes the pressure washing of the walls of the tunnels, so strong that, in previous situations, even broke video surveillance cameras!  The issue of lighting was another particularity and difficulty to overcome. The existing lighting in the two older tubes was performed with low pressure sodium lamps, and in the new tube, they used high pressure sodium lamps. Any of this type of lamp has a weak stimulation to the traditional photoluminescent (phosphorescent) signaling and due to the layout and spacing of these lamps, the luminance reaching the signs didn’t exceed 75 lux. Thus, after several tests performed in the Everlux laboratory, it was developed a special photoluminescent (phosphorescent) pigment, the generation of pigments Everlux LLL, ensuring that the values of the photoluminescence (phosphorescence) sign required by the dealer would be met, even with such a weak stimulation. Everlux LLL (Low location lighting) and Everlux AL (Aluminum Low light location) - are photoluminescent (phosphorescent) signage systems whose main application is at ground level and in tunnels, respectively, allowing emergency exit paths to remain visible. These types of products (AL and LLL) are produced with a new generation of photoluminescent (phosphorescent) pigments that stimulate in just 15minutes with a very low light environment, only 25lux, by ensuring high luminance even in the worst conditions of ambient light. With Everlux LLL and Everlux AL the best evacuation conditions are therefore guaranteed, reducing the risk of panic and possible loss of lives due to the propagation of smoke that a fire can cause. The fixing of signs forced several tests with pneumatic nails but the best solution was found with brass screws, even though a drill stone only allows opening 10 holes (and there were signs that due to its size took 18 points of attachment!) .  The curvature of the tunnel has also proved a problem and a challenge to overcome because there were signs that by being panoramic and large, had to take thickeners to make them upright.   More than 1500 signs, with a final price exceeding 200,000€, were manufactured. Monitoring the early days of installation (always at night and minus temperatures) also proved a real challenge: a small example was the need to use 250 meters extension cords!  After having overcome these "small" problems, the project ended up being fulfilled within the time limits imposed by the developer, which expressed its satisfaction for the service and quality of signs installed. The satisfaction was also addressed to us on the day of a simulacrum made in 2008 when the firefighters present expressed words of praise for the enormous help they received from photoluminescent (phosphorescent) signs during the rescue operations in total darkness. Even today, those who go through these tunnels can verify that the signs installed for over seven years meet perfectly with its main function: Save lives! This was one of the great works that Everlux made out of Portugal and that makes us very proud!  12-05-2014 «Return Queen Isabel and Amavida ships Project: Queen Isabel and Amavida ships Project Owner: DouroAzul, S.A. Dealer: Vianadecon - Construção Naval, S.A. Year: 2013 Everlux Product: Everlux Maritime; Low location Lighting ground level signaling project Everlux LLL   Everlux received in December 2012 the application of this collaborative project. Given the importance of security in this kind of ships carrying more than 100 passengers, this was undoubtedly a project "made for” Everlux. If, on the one hand, Everlux had the privilege of collaborating on a project that created a new luxury hotel ship - Amavida - on the other hand, it was also a huge challenge to collaborate on another chapter of a historic ship, as is the Queen Elizabeth, which has sailed the Rhine River and was known as the "Van Gogh". This ship was to degrade at the port of Rotterdam in 2009 and was bought by the British company Magna Carta Steamship Company and after a 10 million euros restoration it was intended to make cruises on the Thames. In 2012 it had a new intervention, for it would be the royal barge that would transport Queen Elizabeth II on the trip by the River Thames during the Jubilee celebration under the name of The Spirit of Chartwell . A curiosity is, the Spirit of Chartwell already had Everlux Maritime signs installed! After the new restoration project in Aveiro, then came the Queen Elizabeth with a more vintage style, but again with Everlux Maritime signaling.  This dual work included conducting a complete Everlux LLL project in two ships, from design to manufacturing, selling and installing the signage in accordance with IMO Resolutions, even including all signs at ground level, with Everlux LLL system, as well as all emergency plans and informational signage for both vessels. Everlux installed approximately 900 safety signs, 300 linear feet of signage at ground level LLL, LLL Everlux 500 signs, 72 plants room in Queen Elizabeth and 65 plants room in Amavida. As we mentioned before, the project was initiated in December 2012 and was completed in March 2013, followed by all the media attention that involved the presentation of these two ships. The presence of the media in the presentation and all the importance given to the new crown jewels of Douro Azul fill with pride the Everlux team, who worked hard, contributing to the achievement and success of this project.  The investment in these two vessels from Douro Azul reveals the enormous importance of tourism in the Portugal economy. And most importantly when that investment resulted in the incorporation of excellent know -how and national production, widely recognized for its quality worldwide. Projects such as this provide a special motivation to the Everlux team. In a work of this size and importance, we found ourselves with obvious difficulties during the project, but which undoubtedly turned into excellent opportunities to better face the following challenges. Nevertheless, the results were the best, with full compliance of the deadlines and total customer satisfaction and this is undoubtedly another work that Everlux is proud to include this commemorative edition of 25 Years 25 works of reference. 10-04-14 «Return Rehabilitation of the Rossio Railway Tunnel Project: Rehabilitation of the Rossio Railway Tunnel Project Owner: National Rail Network - REFER EP Designers involved: GRID and TECNEP Year: 2008 Everlux Product: Everlux AL and Everlux LLL The Rossio railway tunnel was not only a milestone for Everlux, is also a landmark in the city of Lisbon and Portugal. The Rossio Station, with this tunnel, was considered the greatest engineering work of the nineteenth century.  On 22 October 2004 the National Railway Network - REFER EP - made the decision to suspend rail traffic in the Rossio Tunnel by issues related to the security level of their exploitation. Thus, having been immediately put into motion the process of renovation of the tunnel, Everlux received in April 2005 the first request for collaboration in the project execution. Since then the work stood out for its extreme size and complexity - never any signage project of this kind had been held in Portugal. In fact, this was the first and still the largest railway tunnel with Everlux signaling. Due to its specificity, namely the existing luminance in the tunnel , the environment (humidity and temperature), the type of use due to the risk analysis done - the evacuation of large numbers of people in a closed environment and high probability of panic situations occur due to the involvement closed and the concentration of fumes space - it was decided that the solution would be to use the signs at ground level and intermediate level and the material should ensure durability, so the choice to use the aluminum signage, Everlux AL.  To signal the tunnel, several hundred evacuation signs and other various signs were used, however, the most striking is undoubtedly the amount used: 4,501 sheets of photoluminescent (phosphorescent) aluminum profile - over 9 tons! The tunnel has been signalized with a length of approximately 3km photoluminescent (phosphorescent) profile length in both sides. In addition to the Everlux AL installed on the tunnel it was installed Everlux LLL signage at ground level in the emergency stairs of the tunnel - safety was undoubtedly the key word in this project. The delivery of the order was taken between January and February 2008, in 3 times, using special trucks due to the weight of the materials. The final number and weight of shipment reflects the magnitude of this work: 9742.77 kg! The installation process of the signals was also a challenge. The tunnel has very specific geological conditions that have limited the placement of signs, including the photoluminescent (phosphorescent) profile that could not be installed against the tunnel walls due to moisture. Thus, special supports were made for this case, so that the photoluminescent (phosphorescent) profile stayed away from the walls, ensuring its durability. This was just one of the challenges the team Everlux encountered in conducting this innovative project!  The quality of Everlux product and service well as ensuring deadlines are factors widely recognized in the market and were key aspects to the success of this work. Today, the Rossio Tunnel is considered a fantastic piece of engineering, with huge social relevance, allowing access to the Rossio Station in Lisbon city center and being part of the Sintra line. It is a pride for Everlux to have participated in this project and have its signage present in a work of such social relevance contributing to the safety of thousands of people who daily use that rail infrastructure. Collaborating to continually raise levels of security for citizens is in fact part of the Everlux mission. We can’t end this text without paying homage to a person very involved in this project and Fire Safety in Portugal: Engineer José Cartaxo Vicente. |
