EP2449190A2

EP2449190A2 - Apparatus for handling preassembled wall panels

Info

Publication number: EP2449190A2
Application number: EP10793679A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alan Mazza; Kevin Tutt; Ben Blackwood
Original assignee: Swift Invent Ltd
Current assignee: Swift Invent Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-30
Filing date: 2010-06-29
Publication date: 2012-05-09
Also published as: WO2011001172A3; WO2011001172A2; GB2483602A; GB201122427D0; GB0911255D0

Abstract

A combination of a panel and a panel handling system for use in moving the panel around a site is provided. The panel comprises a preassembled wall panel having a base portion, opposing end portions and a top portion, the top portion including at least one further fixing part. The handling system comprises a first and second end plate, each of which includes at least one fixing part which co-operates with a respective first and second end portion of the wall panel to secure the end plates to the panel, and further includes first and second movers. Each mover comprises an end plate fixing part which includes means for fixing each mover to a respective one of the first and second end plates and a support part which supports the fixing part above the ground and is in turn supported above the ground by at least one ground engaging wheel or roller. The end plates and movers are so arranged that with the end plates fixed to the ends of the panels and the movers fixed to the end plates the system supports the panel wholly above the ground permitting it to be moved around a site in a direction parallel to the length of the panel. The end plates can be removed from the end plates so that the end plates support the panel clear of the ground.

Description

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PREASSEMBLED WALL PANELS

This invention relates to panellised wall systems, and in particular to a method and apparatus for handling panels of such a wall system during the construction or fit out of a building.

It is known to provide panelised walls which can be fabricated or otherwise pre-assembled (fully or partially) away from a final rest position and simply placed and secured in position to form the walls of a room of a building. The panels will require fixing to the floor, each other, or a ceiling or other support, and in many cases are fixed using a combination of these. A channel or bracket may be provided on the floor onto which the panels are received. This channel or bracket may be raised off the floor on adjustable feet. Typically the panels are prefabricated off site, and are non- structural meaning that they are installed within a pre-existing structure to define rooms.

Using a panelised wall system is advantageous in that walls can be put up on site much quicker than with existing systems based on block work or studwork. A particular benefit of a panelised wall system is achieved in the case of the construction of sanitary systems. Panels can be preassembled with integral plumbing for connecting sanitary fittings to sewerage and water services, before being moved to the site, fixed in place and then fitted with sanitary items such as sinks and WCs. Alternatively sanitary ware items can be pre-fitted before being moved to site. In this manner much of the installation work can be performed off site, reducing the time spent by trades on site.

Wall panels for use in such systems come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, depending on the exact requirements of the rooms that are to be constructed. However, one thing most panels have in common is that they are relatively large items and can be quite heavy. Typically they may be around 2 metres or 3 meters tall and perhaps 2metres or 3 metres long. This makes them difficult to move around, and some care is needed to move them from their point of assembly, typically offsite, to their final fixed position without damaging them, and in particular to avoid damaging the plumbing and sanitary ware. Also the space in which it is possible to move the items on a construction site is very restricted both horizontally and vertically and pre-assembled wall panels often must be moved from logistics control points to their final position down corridors, through doorways and using lifts. This makes it impossible in many cases to use a forklift to move the panels any distance once inside the building, and since the forks would lift and move the panel with the truck positioned centrally and perpendicular to the forklift this would make the arrangement too wide to pass down a narrow corridor.

It is known to move panels of such a system around by placing them upright on a pallet using a set of slings and a forklift, secured in the upright position using arms that extend upwards from the pallet to form a rack. This provides a suitable support for the panels during transport from the factory to the site on a truck. Once at the site it has also been proposed that the complete panel and pallet rack may be removed from the truck using a forklift and placed on a wheeled bogey to be moved to their final rest position. A forklift truck may then be used to raise the panel from the pallet to manoeuvre it to its final position.

A problem with this system is that in practice a wide range of pallet sizes would be needed to complement each size of panel, and these pallets would take up a lot of room when the panel is being transported. A second problem is the lack of space within the building envelope, particularly vertically for such movement to take place. It is also often not possible for forklifts, capable of suitable horizontal movement, to be moved to upper floors of a tall building. Further more using a forklift requires the panel to be perpendicular to the forklift, which makes it difficult to manoeuvre large panels down corridors and particularly through door openings. An additional problem is that available wheeled bogey systems do not apply suitable fixing methods and hence generally do not meet ever increasingly strict health and safety requirements on construction sites.

According to a first aspect the invention provides in combination a panel and a panel handling system for use in moving the preassembled wall panel around a site in which: the panel comprises a preassembled wall panel having a base portion, opposing end portions and a top portion, the top portion including at least one further fixing part, and in which the handling system comprises a first and second end plate, each of which includes at least one fixing part which co-operates with a respective first and second end portion of the wall panel to secure the end plates to the panel, the handling system further including first and second movers, each mover comprising an end plate fixing part which includes means for fixing each mover to a respective one of the first and second end plates, and each mover further comprising a support part which supports the fixing part above the ground and is in turn supported above the ground by at least one ground engaging wheel or roller, the end plates and movers being so arranged that with the end plates fixed to the ends of the panels and the movers fixed to the end plates the system supports the panel wholly above the ground permitting it to be moved around a site in a direction parallel to the length of the panel, and the end plates being further arranged such that with the movers removed from the end plates the end plates support the panel clear of the ground.

The system may include one or more straps which interconnect the first and second movers and tensioning means for placing the or each strap under tension, the tensioning means assisting in preventing unwanted movement between the movers and the wall panel. With the straps fitted the panel and movers are secured together to ensure the safety of anyone around the panel as it cannot fall off the movers (as it could if it was simply lifted by a forklift or on a sling from a pallet stacker) .

Each end plate may comprise a main body portion and one or more ground engaging portions. It may, for example, comprise a generally triangular plate.

The end plate may include a fixing part which comprises at least one upwardly extending hook which may engage a corresponding slot in the end portion of a wall panel the end plate and panel being so constructed that with the hook engaged in the slot the base of the panel is located above the ground or lorry trailer, i.e. above the level of the base of the end plate. Most preferably these are fixed in place during assembly of the wall panel, and prior to completion of fixing of sanitary ware, to help support the panel vertically during its assembly.

Alternatively the end plates can be screwed directly to the wall panel rather than using a hook. The end plate may therefore include one or more screws or bolts which pass through respective holes in the plate that form the fixing part and which engage threaded bores in the end portions of the panel. Alternatively self tapping screws, perhaps stainless steel self tappers such as those sold under the brand Tech Screws by Woodall Fastening systems, can be used which do not require pre-threaded bores in the end panels.

Most preferably the end plates are secured to the panel near the bottom of the panel.

Where provided the hook may be permanently fixed to the end plate or may be removable.

Alternatively the hook may be the fixing part of the panel and the slot may be the fixing part of the end plate, in which case the hook should depend downwards. In either case the arrangement should be such that lifting the panel may automatically release the hook from its respective slot, removing the need for any tools.

The base of the end plate may have a width, in a direction orthogonal to the length of the panel, which is greater than the width of the wall panel. It may be at least four times as wide as the panel. The width of the base may depend on the height of the wall panel. The wall panel may therefore be supported upright by the end plates with the base of the end plates contacting the grounds. This allows the panels to be supported during transport to a site, for instance on the back of a lorry whilst helping resist the panel from tipping over.

The end plate fixing part may be adapted to move relative to the support part of the mover to enable the end rail fixing part, when fixed to the end plate, to move between a first position in which the end plate contacts the ground and a second position in which it is raised above the ground. The end plate fixing part may comprise an upwardly extending hook which engages a slot in the end plate, or it may comprises a slot which engages a depending hook on the end plate.

Each mover may include at least three ground engaging wheels which may each be free to swivel relative to the base in the manner of a wheeled trolley for good manoeuvrability. Alternatively each mover may have only two wheels spaced either side of the axis line of the panel when in use to provide a stable support.

Each mover may have an extended upper arm that is provided with a pad that, in use, abuts an upper part of the panel such as an end of the top portion, or an upper part of the end portion. This arm ensures the panel contacts the mover at a point near its base and its top portion which provides stability to the panel.

The top part of the panel may include a further fixing means. This may also comprise one or more slots. The handling system may include a top rail which includes one or more hooks which engage with a respective one of the, or each, slot. The top rail may include a pair of openings which are suitably spaced to receive the prongs of a pallet stacker or forklift and be sufficiently strong to bear the weight of the panel. Alternatively a single opening may be provided whose length exceeds the spacing between the prongs of a forklift. Of course, the hooks may be provided on the panel and the slots in the top rail but this is not preferred.

The top rail may be in two parts, each including a fixing means which engages a corresponding fixing means of the panel. These two parts may be connected together in use such that when disconnected the fixing part of each part may be located within a respective slot in the top portion of the wall, and the two parts subsequently secured together so that they are prevented from rotating. They may be secured together by passing a bolt or pin through aligned holes in the two parts. Alternatively they may be clamped together by using a clamping mechanism, such as a hook and loop type ratchet.

The top rail may include one or more clamps whereby the rail can be clamped to the prongs of a pallet stacker or forklift, or to an attachment secured to the prongs of the pallet stacker of forklift.

The use of hooks and slots for all the fixing means of the movers and top rail parts is advantageous because it provides a simple fixing that requires no tools. In the case of the movers the hooks engage and the weight of the panel when raised ensures accidental release is not possible. In the case of the top rail, hooks ensure that the strength of the support of the panel can be determined with great certainty, and no tools are needed to engage or release the hooks. The fastening of the two parts together is not directly under load and so does not require large tools to tighten and release the fastening.

The movers may include means for engaging the end plates and lifting means for raising the end plates to in turn raise the wall panel with the end plates clear of the ground. They may also allow the end plates to be lowered back to the ground. This lifting means may comprise a hydraulic jack or pneumatic or other lifting mechanism. For instance, it may comprise a mechanical ratchet lifting mechanism. The lifting means may include a lock out to secure the lifting means in a raised position, thereby to fix the panel in its raised position. This lock out, or a further lock out, may prevent it from being lifted accidentally.

The movers may have a width no greater than around 50cm, or up to around 1 metre, measured in a direction perpendicular to the panel to which they are secured. Keeping this dimension as small as possible ensures it is possible to move the panels around in the limited spaces present within a building, such as corridors or lifts. Of course, the width may need to be greater for panels of greater height to provide the required safety for operators where they may be a risk they might topple over. They may raise the panel by between 10cm and 50cm, or perhaps up to 30cm before being locked out. It is preferred that the smallest amount of lift is used to help move the panel through areas with low ceiling heights. Combined with lifting from the ends rather than below or above this allows the panel to be raised only enough to clear the terrain.

The panel may comprise a preassembled wall panel which comprises a perimeter frame defining the base portion, end portions and top portion, and integral plumbing for connection of sanitary fittings to the wall panel and to service on a site such as water and sewerage. The plumbing may be partially or totally covered by front and back covers that are secured to the frame. In this case the fixing means on the end portions of the panel may comprise access ports in the perimeter frame for connection of the services to parts of the integral plumbing.

The panel may be fitted with one or more items of sanitary ware such as a sink or toilet pan. The handling system can be easily arranged so as to connect to and permit move of the panel without risk of damage to the sanitarware.

To help further ensure the sanitaryware is not damaged the handling system may include a slide arrester which comprises an attachment for the prongs of a pallet stacker or forklift and which includes two arms, each one co-operating with a prong of the stacker of forklift and which are sized to pass at least partially through the openings in the top rail, and which include a stop that prevents the panel sliding too far towards the body of the stacker of forklift and which may further include a stop of the free end of the arms that prevents the top rail from sliding off.

According to a second aspect the invention provides a panel handling system for use in moving a wall panel which, together with the wall panel forms the combination of the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect the invention provides a panel which is suitable for use with a handling system of the second aspect of the invention that comprise a base, two opposing end portions and a top portion and which includes one each end portion at least one elongated slot which enables the panel to be secured to a hook of the handling system, in which the slot additionally provides an access port for the connection of external services to plumbing of the wall panel.

The slot may, for instance, be so constructed and arranged as to permit a pipe of 4 inch diameter to pass through, or a 6 inch diameter pipe to pass through.

According to a fourth aspect the invention provides a method of moving a preassembled wall panel from a factory or other point of assembly to a construction site comprising: in a first stage securing the panel at each end to a respective end plate and resting the base of the end plate on the ground, or other surface, such that the end plates support the panel above the ground, in a second stage securing each of the end plates to a respective one of a first and second movers, each mover comprising one or more ground engaging wheels or rollers connected to a base portion and a lifting means which connects the base portion to an end plate engaging portion of a respective end plate, in a third stage operating the lifting means of the movers to raise the end plates off the ground, and moving the panel around by pushing or pulling at least one of the movers.

The first stage ensures the panel is supported in a manner that helps prevent damage through unwanted movement. It is envisaged, for instance that the method may comprise attaching end plates to a panel constructed at a first location, away from a construction site where the panel is to be installed. The panel and end plates may then be loaded onto a lorry for transportation with the end plate taking the load of the panel. To further increase stability the method may include a step of connecting the end plates together by one or more straps, such as webbing straps. These may also be attached to a part of the lorry.

The second and third stages permit the panel to be removed from the truck and moved around once it reaches the construction site. The method may comprise manually pushing and pulling the panel and movers to move it around a site.

In further steps the method may comprise securing a top rail to the panel, raising the top rail, and hence the panel, using a forklift, moving the panel to a resting position using the forklift and lowering the panel into its rest position.

The method may comprise providing a connection between the movers and the end plates and the panel whereby the step of raising the panel automatically releases the movers from the end plates, and/or automatically releases the end plates from the panel. If only the movers automatically release the end plates may be manually removed thereafter. By automatically release we may simply mean that the method enables the end plates and panel to be moved apart manually without tools and without having to take the weight of the panel. It is preferred that this step can be performed without the need for any tools (other than the possible need for a mechanical means for lifting the panels as required) .

There will now be described by way of example only one embodiment of the present invention with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings

Figure 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of a preassembled wall panel according to an aspect of the invention,

Figure 2 shows the panel attached to a part of an embodiment of a handling system according to an aspect of the invention whereby it can be stored in an upright position,

Figure 3 shows the panel fitted with further parts of the handling system enabling it to be manually moved around;

Figure 4 is an alternative isometric view of the panel and handling system of Figure 3;

Figure 5A and 5B are views of: a top rail used to lift the panel and forming a further part of the handling system; and the top rail secured to the panel. Figure 6 is an illustration of the panel being lifted and moved using a forklift that engages the top rail allowing the other parts of the handling system to release from the panel;

Figure 7 shows how the two parts of the top rail of Figure 5A can be released and secured together; and

Figure 8 is a view of an attachment for use with a forklift to help secure the panel when lifting.

A preassembled wall panel 1 is shown in figure 1 , comprising a structural frame 3 which, in its final position of use, supports one or more sanitary units. A sink 2 is shown attached to the wall panel. The frame accommodates plumbing 4 which is located behind a front panel 5 and which provides a connection from the sanitary item to external services such as water and sewerage once the panel is installed. By providing a preassembled panel which is then moved to its final rest position to form a wall of a room the need for time consuming plumbing to be fitted on site is greatly reduced- in effect it is just moved into place, connected to services and the sanitary items fitted.

To move the panel from its point of construction, or point of delivery to a building site, to a point at or near its final resting position a handling system has been devised. An embodiment of such a handling system attached to a panel is shown in figure 2. First and second end plates 21 , 22 are fitted on the lower left and right hand sides of the panel. These plates support the panel in a vertical position above the ground protecting it from damage caused by the panel toppling over or being left poorly supported on uneven ground. The first and second end plates comprise generally triangular plates whose bases form a ground engaging support. Each plate includes a hole through which is passed a bolt 23 which is screwed into the first and second portions 24, 25 of the wall panel 1. Of course in an alternative the plates may include hooks which engage slots in the first and second portions. In this embodiment the first and second portions 24, 25 of the wall panel are parts of the structural frame 3. In other embodiments where hooks are provided the first and second portions of the panel may be other existing features such as sewage pipes so that no additional mounting fixtures are needed. When the panel is vertically lifted the plates can be simply removed from the panel by removing the bolts and left behind on the ground.

As shown in figures 3 and 4, the plates 21 , 22 can engage with first and second movers 31 , 32. The movers have lockable wheels 33 and can support the panel 1 and end plates 21 , 22 above the ground so that they may be manually moved into position. The movers each comprise end plate fixing parts which in this example are hooks 34, 35 which engage with holes 88 in the end plates as shown in Figure 8. The hooks 34, 35 can be raised or lowered by mechanical jacks 36, 37 which are also connected to base parts 38, thus the hooks can be raised and lowered relative to the base by winding the jack handles 39. The hooks can simply be engaged and disengaged with the end plates by raising or lowering the hooks. Continuing to raise the hooks once they have engaged with the base plate will lift the plates and panel off the ground. To ensure the panel remains vertically stable each mover has an upper pad 40 which supports the top of the panel 1. Compression can be applied between the pads to grip the panel by straps 42 which connect both movers and can be tensioned by a ratchet 43. The movers can be used to pick up any panel supported on a pair of end plates and wheel it to another location where it can be placed down on its end plates.

On the top part 45 of the panel there are two slots 46, 47, these slots may be used to pass pipe work through to an adjoining panel in use but while fitting the panel they can receive a top rail 50 for lifting the panel into position. An example of a top rail is shown in Figures 5 A and 5B. The top rail 50 has left 51 and right 52 hand parts which join to form a single rail. In the example in Figure 5A, each part has two hooks which engage with slots on the top part of a panel. As shown in Figure 7, the hooks on each part face those on the other so that the parts can be slid towards each other along the top part of the panel where they joint in the centre and are fastened together by a locking clip 53. This clip prevents the top rail parts moving apart and becoming unhooked from the panel. The top rail also comprises to openings 71 , 72 sized to fit the slide arrestors 61 shown in Figure 6 fitted to the forks of a forklift truck 60. These slide arresters extend the reach of the pallet stacker, ensure the panel is held clear of the body of the stacker and, due to upturned portions on the free ends of each arm of the slide arrester, prevent the top rail from sliding off. As a further precaution, the openings also have clamps 73, 74 to lock the top rail 50 onto the prongs 62 of the slide arrester to prevent unwanted movement between the forks and the panel while positioning the panel. The panel may then be lifted into place with the forklift or pallet stacker 60 without the forks coming into contact with the panel.

The end plates, movers and top rail can be used in combinations to allow a preassembled wall panel to be safely transported upright and moved around and lifted, substantially reducing the risk of damaging the panel in transit. Each panel will be fitted with end plates during manufacture and can arrive at the building site secured up right on the bed of a lorry.

The following method can then be followed to ensure safe transit of the panels into their final position. In this example the panels are to be moved from the bed of a lorry at a distribution point, through a building to a final room location. Part 1 :

Firstly, first and second movers 31 , 32 are attached to all sets on the lorry by butting them up to the ends of the panels. The jacks 36, 37 are lowered to drop the hooks 50mm from the ground, so that the movers can be engaged with the slots 88 in the end plates and the pads 40 are pushed against the ends of the top parts of each panel.

The jack is raised until the movers hooks are seated in the slots: the set must not be raised at this stage.

The two movers on each panel are then connected with the attached ratchet straps 42. Both ratchet straps must be moved and must be of equal tension. At this point the panel is securely attached to the movers which ensures that the safety of any personal around the panel is maintained.

One operative must stabilise the panel whilst the second operative turns the handle 39 to raise the panel on one end and a third operative raises the panel at the other end.

The panel should be raised no higher than is necessary to negotiate the terrain.

Using an operative at each end and a third stabilising the panel, the assembly may now be moved around.

Once Part I (above) has been completed, the assembly may be moved into the washroom. Part 2:

Position the panel assembly as close as possible to the final position of the panel. In many cases this will involve moving the panel through narrow corridors and areas with low ceiling heights. Because the movers are small and narrow and attach to the ends of the panels this movement is easy to achieve, and because they hold the panel only a small distance above the ground the panel can be moved through areas with low ceiling heights.

Lock the wheels 33 and lower the panel to the floor. Loosen and unclip the ratchet straps 42, on both sides of the panel.

Fit the top rail 50 into the openings 46,47 in the top of the panel and slide the hooks into position, secure both parts together with the clip 53.

Position the openings 71 , 72 on the top rail 50 between the slide arresters 61 on the forks 62 and use the clamps 73, 74 to clamp the top rail onto the forks.

Raise the panel just off the ground with the pallet stacker 60 to allow the end plates 21 , 22 to be removed.

Continue to raise the panel accurately into position.

Do not remove the forks from the top rail until the set has been fully constrained on its permanent fixings.

Once the set is fully constrained, unclamp the forks and detach the top rail using the pallet stacker to lift the rail down from the panel. Care should be taken when demounting the top rail to ensure that the rail does not contact any finishes or sanitary ware.

Claims

1. A combination of a panel and a panel handling system for use in moving the panel around a site in which: the panel comprises a preassembled wall panel having a base portion, opposing end portions and a top portion, the top portion including at least one further fixing part, and in which the handling system comprises a first and second end plate, each of which includes at least one fixing part which co-operates with a respective first and second end portion of the wall panel to secure the end plates to the panel, the handling system further including first and second movers, each mover comprising an end plate fixing part which includes means for fixing each mover to a respective one of the first and second end plates, and each mover further comprising a support part which supports the fixing part above the ground and is in turn supported above the ground by at least one ground engaging wheel or roller, the end plates and movers being so arranged that with the end plates fixed to the ends of the panels and the movers fixed to the end plates the system supports the panel wholly above the ground permitting it to be moved around a site in a direction parallel to the length of the panel, and the end plates being further arranged such that with the movers removed from the end plates the end plates support the panel clear of the ground.

2. A combination according to claim 1 which includes one or more straps which interconnect the first and second movers and tensioning means for placing the or each strap under tension, the tensioning means assisting in preventing unwanted movement between the movers and the wall panel.

3. A combination according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which each end plate comprises a main body portion and one or more ground engaging portions.

4. A combination according to any preceding claim in which the end plate includes a fixing part which comprises at least one upwardly extending hook which engages a corresponding slot in the end portion of a wall panel, the end plate and panel being so constructed that with the hook engaged in the slot the base of the panel is located above the ground.

5. A combination according to any preceding claim in which the end plate includes one or more screws or bolts which pass through respective holes in the plate that form the fixing part and which engage the end portions of the panel.

6. A combination according to nay preceding claim in which the end plates are secured to the panel near the bottom of the panel.

7. A combination according to any preceding claim in which the base of the end plate has a width, in a direction orthogonal to the length of the panel, which is greater than the width of the wall panel.

8. A combination according to any preceding claim in which the end plate fixing part is adapted to move relative to the support part of the mover to enable the end rail fixing part, when fixed to the end plate, to move between a first position in which the end plate contacts the ground and a second position in which it is raised above the ground.

9. A combination according to any preceding claim in which each mover includes at least two ground engaging wheels which are each free to swivel relative to the base, the two wheels being spaced either side of the axis line of the panel.

10. A combination according to any preceding claim in which each mover has an extended upper arm that is provided with a pad that, in use, abuts an upper part of the panel such as an end of the top portion, or an upper part of the end portion.

11. A combination according to any preceding claim in which the top part of the panel includes a further fixing means which comprises one or more slots, the handling system including a top rail which includes one or more hooks which engage with a respective one of the, or each, slot.

12. A combination according to claim 11 in which the top rail includes a pair of openings which are suitably spaced to receive the prongs of a pallet stacker or forklift and is sufficiently strong to bear the weight of the panel.

13. A combination according to claim 11 or 12 in which the top rail is in two parts, each including a fixing means which engages a corresponding fixing means of the panel, the two parts being connected together in use such that when disconnected the fixing part of each part can be located within a respective slot in the top portion of the wall, and the two parts subsequently secured together so that they are prevented from rotating..

14. A combination according to any one of claims 11 to 13 in which the top rail includes one or more clamps whereby the rail can be clamped to the prongs of a pallet stacker or forklift, or to an attachment secured to the prongs of the pallet stacker of forklift.

15. A combination according to any preceding claim in which the movers include means for engaging the end plates and lifting means for raising the end plates to in turn raise the wall panel with the end plates clear of the ground.

16. A combination according to claim 15 in which the lifting means includes a lock out to secure the lifting means in a raised position, thereby to fix the panel in its raised position.

17. A combination according to any preceding claim in which the movers have a width no greater than around 50cm, or up to around 1 metre, measured in a direction perpendicular to the panel to which they are secured.

18. A combination according to any preceding claim in which the panel comprises a preassembled wall panel which comprises a perimeter frame defining the base portion, end portions and top portion, and integral plumbing for connection of sanitary fittings to the wall panel and to service on a site such as water and sewerage.

19. A combination according to claim 18 in which the panel is fitted with one or more items of sanitaryware such as a sink or toilet pan.

20. A combination according to any preceding claim in which the handling system includes a slide arrester which comprises an attachment for the prongs of a pallet stacker or forklift and which includes two arms, each one co-operating with a prong of the stacker of forklift and which are sized to pass at least partially through the openings in the top rail, and which include a stop that prevents the panel sliding too far towards the body of the stacker of forklift and which may further include a stop of the free end of the arms that prevents the top rail from sliding off.

21. A panel which is suitable for use with a handling system to form the combination of any one of claims 1 to 20 that comprises a base, two opposing end portions and a top portion and which includes one each end portion at least one elongated slot which enables the panel to be secured to a hook of the handling system, in which the slot additionally provides an access port for the connection of external services to plumbing of the wall panel.

22. A panel according to claim 21 in which the slot is so constructed and arranged as to permit a pipe of 4 inch diameter to pass through, or a 6 inch diameter pipe to pass through.

23. A method of moving a preassembled wall panel from a factory or other point of assembly to a construction site comprising:in a first stage securing the panel at each end to a respective end plate and resting the base of the end plate on the ground, or other surface, such that the end plates support the panel above the ground, in a second stage securing each of the end plates to a respective one of a first and second movers, each mover comprising one or more ground engaging wheels or rollers connected to a base portion and a lifting means which connects the base portion to an end plate engaging portion of a respective end plate, in a third stage operating the lifting means of the movers to raise the end plates off the ground, andmoving the panel around by pushing or pulling at least one of the movers.

24. A method according to claim 23 which further comprises the steps of securing a top rail to the panel, raising the top rail, and hence the panel, using a forklift, moving the panel to a resting position using the forklift and lowering the panel into its rest position.

25 A method according to claim 23 or 24 which comprises providing a connection between the movers and the end plates and the panel whereby the step of raising the panel automatically releases the movers from the end plates, and/or automatically releases the end plates from the panel.