Clients/Projects

Controlled removal of steel water tanks from within roof space. The redundant tanks were directly above the main dining hall, and had to be reduced to manageable sizes using cold-cut non-percussive methods. Hand-held hydraulic shears were the method chosen, and the tanks, in excess of 5 tonnes, were removed safely and successfully.

Demolition of forecourt canopy and removal of tanks; reinstate forecourt afterwards. The client had a 1 week window in which to carry out the works, in conjunction with some essential maintenance works. This left a very tight programme to remove the canopy and tanks, and reinstate the forecourt. The Caravan Centre was re-opened on time, with no loss of business.

Removal of underground fuel tanks and contaminated fill. In order to satisfy the Environment Agency’s remediation criteria, a detailed Site Investigation was carried out to determine the nature and levels of contamination around the tanks. Once established, PhD designed a bespoke method to remove the contaminated materials ONLY WHERE NECESSARY, and cap the remaining areas where appropriate. This resulted in an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM OF CONTAMINATED FILL TAKEN TO LANDFILL, whilst simultaneously reducing the amount of imported fill material required. The proposals were verified by the clients Geotechnical Consultants, and in turn approved by the Environment Agency. The remediated site was then deemed suitable for a new-build Housing Development.

Extensive demolition/propping to facilitate substantial extension. The works were carried out on a Victorian residence which was being doubled in size. The nature of the construction, and the need to retain virtually all of the original  features, meant that strategic propping and hand demolition were the order of the day. Mechanical demolition was limited to the removal of the substructures to enable the construction of the new foundations.

Complete strip out and extensive demolition of Health Centre. The property consisted of 2 separate premises which were converted into a single health centre. The entire rear (single-storey) portion of the buildings were demolished, and ALL THE NON-STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS of the buildings (including floors, partitions, staircases, chimneys) were removed. The city-centre location, with no off-street parking, meant that all the arisings had to be disposed of as they arose.

Complete strip out and extensive demolition of former Maltings. The site was bounded by 2 roads, with buildings fronting both roads and “modern” buildings in-between. The “front” of the site contained a row of 2 storey shops (to be retained), and the rear elevation consisted of the 19th Century former “Musgrove Maltings”. The shops were retained (for commercial reasons) and converted to Residential, whilst the Maltings were retained (as listed buildings) and also converted after substantial structural alterations. Phase 1 consisted of demolishing the “modern” link-building between the two buildings to remain, as well as a complete strip-out of the buildings to remain.

Demolition of “Horsa” Kitchen Block (inc Asb Rem). The redundant Kitchen Block had to be demolished within a 10-day period (Friday – Sunday) during the School half-term. The External Roof and Internal Linings were Chrysotile, and in accordance with the LA Spec., reassurance and clearance monitoring were carried out prior to demolition commencing. A further complication was the presence of a LIVE HV CABLE within the building, which could not be diverted until AFTER THE DEMOLITION. Careful planning and heavy-duty protection were used, and the Demolition was completed without incident. (http://www.hallamgroup.com/sectors-and-clients/case-studies/robert-smyth-school-market-harborough.html)

Demolition of Portal framed Asb Cem Clad Oil Storage Building. The existing Stores Building at Loughborough Recycling Depot was being refurbished, and the adjacent 2-storey Annexe containing the Oil Storage facilities was demolished. In accordance with the LA Spec., reassurance and clearance monitoring were carried out during the AC Removal, prior to demolition commencing. The building’s location meant that the entire structure (with the exception of the ground-level oil-bund) was dismantled manually.

Demolition of RC structure within Turbine House using D-Drilling and Brokk. The heavily reinforced nature of the structure, coupled with its location within a severely restricted location, meant that remote demolition was the only practical solution. Propping was installed to support a crash-deck under the roof, and core drilling was initiated to facilitate the use of a BROKK (robotic demolition rig). With the roof removed, and the propping dismantled, the walls were also reduced with the Brokk. A specially adapted (reduced head-height) mini-excavator and breaker were used to remove the substantial floor slab, and disposal of the arisings was carried out with skid-steer loaders. (http://www.eon-uk.com/downloads/HEHP_turbines.pdf)

Demolition of former “Structural Design” building (inc. Asb Rem). The licensed removal works concerned some AIB ceilings, whilst the discovery of a Chrysotile “permanent shutter” to the entire length of the underfloor ducts was non-licensed. The disused Office building was predominantly timber with a pitched felt roof (in excess of 900m2). The demolition was carried out remotely, with a 24 tonne machine and grapple attachment.

Extensive Structural Demo/Temp. Propping/Strip out/Earthmoving to former industrial site to create a retail/leisure complex. The buildings ranged from steel-framed Engine Sheds to listed (English Heritage) ornate Brick/Tile structures which were restored to their former glory. Our works included the complete stripout of all the retained structures (including roof structures), the removal of structural ground and first floor slabs, the decontamination (pigeon infestation) of numerous buildings and a major internal earthmoving operation to facilitate the construction of a basement restaurant. (http://www.stephensmart.co.uk/Admin/media/brochure/88/swadlincote%20-%20swadlincote%20retail%20park.pdf)

Removal of stainless steel Control Panels/Desks/Cabinets from Live Control Room (Phase 2). The stainless steel equipment had to be reduced to manageable sizes using NO HOT-CUTTING, NO ABRASIVE WHEELS, NO SPARK/SMOKE-EMITTING methods due to their location within the LIVE Main Power Station Control Room. Hand-Held hydraulic shears with an electric power-pack were chosen, as they are 100% noise and vibration-free.

Entire dilapidation strip out of 3 X Leisure/retail units (6500m2). The modern steel-framed/brick-clad buildings had to be returned to “bare-walls”. We used MEWP’s and telehandlers to hand-strip ALL THE NON-STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS within the buildings. We used mechanical plant to remove the full-height masonry dividing walls, and mechanical scrapers/scabblers to remove all traces of floor-coverings and adhesives. One unit was a pub/restaurant, and the fixtures/fittings and mezzanine floor were all reclaimed.

Entire dilapidation strip out of office block, c/w contaminated laboratories and equipment. The Research and Development firm that vacated the modern Office/Laboratory building had left everything insitu. The brief was “back to bare-walls”, and included some RC floor removal to the plant room, and removal of numerous AirCon unit bases externally. The internal strip ranged from run-of-the-mill partitions, ceilings, floor coverings etc. through to Contaminated Fume Cabinets, Ducting, Air Handlers and Fume Extraction Systems. Allof the former required specialist de-commissioning, handling and disposal.

Controlled demolition of remainder of former Maltings, including soft strip of Listed Building (to remain) – Phase 2 of this project consisted of facilitating the Provision of Environmental, Structural and English Heritage Studies of the former Maltings prior to demolition (where) deemed appropriate. The demolition was initially carried out predominantly by hand, in the presence of an Environmental Consultant and a surveyor from English Heritage. Once the presence of bats and endangered species had been ruled out, and the exact structural make-up of the older buildings was established, we were given permission to complete the demolitions. All of the roof coverings, together with some of the Structural Timbers, were reclaimed and re-used in the refurb works. 

Controlled Dismantling of redundant drill tower. The tower was dismantled manually working off a MEWP. The very close location of the adjacent new tower meant that operations were severely restricted, but works were carried out successfully and safely.

Demolition of former Sports Ground Pavilion/Clubhouse. The pavillion was situated within a heavily trafficked Car Park, so restrictions applied. Despite this, the remote demolition, site clearance and car park reinstatement were completed within the allocated 1 week programme.