Adaptability is one of the key reasons Sydney company Bitly Holdings has been partnering with Hebel for over two decades. The versatile Hebel wall systems address Bitly’s need for a product that can be installed in a variety of projects.

Bitly provides services in sound barrier/noise wall design and construction, and specialises in road maintenance infrastructure. The Bitly team appreciates the adaptability of Hebel wall systems, which allows them to install the product in diverse projects, from factory redevelopments to major motorways.

Eddie Jaroc, who has worked with Bitly for more than 20 years and is now the company’s owner, commends the Hebel system’s versatility, explaining that the flexibility of being able to cut it, its lightness compared to solid concrete, and easy handling are some of the many benefits for installers.

Factory developments

Hebel wall systems have been put to good use by the company over the years. For example, Bitly has used Hebel in factory redevelopments, demonstrating the benefits of the Hebel PowerPanel for maximising space.

In projects involving large factories where developers want to divide the space into two facilities, Bitly has installed Hebel’s internal fire rated walls. Measuring between six and eight metres in height and approximately 50 to 70 metres in length, such walls also provide excellent acoustic rating as well as fire rating between the two areas. Access doors can be built into the dividing wall if required.

Feature wall at Randwick school

Bitly has also installed Hebel walls to serve both decorative and functional purposes. The feature wall at Emanuel School in Randwick is a full boundary wall, measuring more than 300 metres in length and almost five metres in height. Installed on top of an existing sandstone wall, it is described by Eddie as one of the most complex projects of its type undertaken by Bitly.

He explained that the bottom of the Hebel wall was chamfered off at 45 degrees and capping put along the top, with a granosite coating over the completed wall. Eddie considers the installation as probably the most difficult because of the shaping required, but he was able to complete it thanks to the versatility of the Hebel product.

Firewall system for motorway tunnel

In yet another installation involving the replacement of the wall in the tunnel section of Sydney’s Eastern Distributor motorway with a Hebel firewall system, the adaptable nature of Hebel benefitted Bitly immensely.

According to Eddie, the Hebel system was easy to use and install, helping reduce the cost. The lightweight material allowed them to hand-place it in some areas as well as cut the panels to suit the installation.

The company has also installed Hebel along several kilometres of both the M2 and the M5 motorways as sound walls.

Bitly has installed Hebel panels for a variety of Sydney projects including the external walls of the Rookwood substation at Potts Hill, and the external lining of underground diesel tanks at three State Transit Authority depots.

Eddie concludes that Bitly has had a long association with Hebel over the years because its product is easy to use and versatile, both important benefits, and among the reasons for their successful association.

Image: Hebel firewall system in the tunnel section of Sydney’s Eastern Distributor motorway.