Moddex has been engaged to supply a third instalment of our Tuffrail® aluminium industrial handrail system to Antarctica, supporting the Scott Base Redevelopment led by LT McGuinness, with design and engineering partner Teleo Design.
Building safely in sub-zero conditions at Scott Base
Scott Base is undergoing a multi-year masterplan redevelopment to replace ageing assets with resilient, modern infrastructure that will support scientific research for decades to come. As part of this project, critical water infrastructure and safety features is being expanded and upgraded.
Two additional temporary water tanks will each be fitted with a 12-metre perimeter of Moddex Tuffrail® industrial handrail, and existing tanks will be retrofitted with an additional third rail (like our TR30 system). The extra barrier helps prevent slide-under incidents on icy surfaces, supporting safer access for personnel working around the tanks.
The modular assembly process enables modification without major cutting or reshaping. That’s critical for retrofitting, where the system must adapt without adding risk or delays.
Eric Hooimeyer, Managing Director at Teleo Design
Why pre-engineered, no-weld handrails were specified for Antarctica
Antarctica is one of the most demanding construction environments on earth, with temperatures that can drop to –60 °C, logistics windows are tight, and every component must be accurate, durable and simple to assemble. Teleo’s engineering team specified Moddex’s Tuffrail® based on performance in extreme cold and ease of handling.
The system is prefabricated and pre-configured which minimises time on site while maintaining safety and compliance; Its no-weld assembly avoids the structural weakness that can occur when steel or aluminium is welded in sub-zero environments; and additionally, aluminium’s lightweight handling makes transport and installation easier on site, reducing reliance on heavy equipment.
Importantly, Moddex handrails installed at Scott Base in 2019 continue to perform, with no signs of galvanic corrosion in Antarctica’s extreme cold and low humidity.
Supporting safety and schedule certainty at Scott Base
By combining prefabrication, no-weld assembly and retrofit flexibility, the Tuffrail® system supports safer access around critical water infrastructure and helps de-risk installation in a remote, high-consequence environment.
The redevelopment aims to support Antarctic science for the next 50 years; Moddex is proud to play a part in ensuring those who build and operate it can do so safely and with confidence with practical measures.
