Case Study - Queensbury Shelters, Farlington
Project: Queensbury Shelters, Fitzherbert Road, Farlington PO6 1SE
Client: Cornerstone Building Surveyors
Program: 12 Weeks
Location & Overview
The site was located in the heart of the Farlington Industrial Estate and was surrounded by many other busy industrial units. One of these ran the entire length of one elevation of the demolition works, and in close proximity to the network rail main line to Portsmouth.
The buildings comprised of a variety of styles, including storey brick & block office buildings and steel frame metal sheet cladding warehouse units.
Various asbestos materials were known to be present with in the each of the structures and one warehouse unit had an asbestos sheeted roof.
Pre-contract
Portsmouth Demolition & Salvage Ltd were contracted by Cornerstone Building Surveyors to undertake the demolition of the structures, including the removal of the slabs and foundations for the project. We were also responsible for all notifications to the local authorities.
Our management team attended a pre-contract meeting on site with Cornerstone Building Surveyors. Cornerstone had a number of requirements that needed to be met at all times. These requirements were discussed at the meeting and methods of compliance were agreed and developed into the demolition phase plan.
Typical requirements included:
Management of asbestos.
Underground tank removal
Network Rail communication
Protection to the public & neighbouring properties
Control of noise;
Control of dust:
Traffic management;
Restricted work times
Site security.
Bespoke Works & Challenges
Due to the location of the project and the proximity of the other occupied industrial units, it was paramount that the access road running along one elevation of the site was not disrupted throughout the demolition works causing the disturbance to the trading of the other units.
Cornerstone Building Surveyors had concerns with how Portsmouth Demolition would undertake the demolition of a steel frame warehouse unit situated at the rear of the project, due to its proximity to Network rail’s main line into Portsmouth. Portsmouth Demolition carried out a risk assessment of the structure and the surrounding area, then developed a detailed method of works for the demolition of the structure. The details of the risk assessments and methodology were communicated to the client and Network Rail, Network Rail carried out an assessment on site and reviewed the methodology and risk assessments. All parties were satisfied, and the works were undertaken without incident.
Other challenges Portsmouth Demolition faced on the project were the removal of underground storage tanks and contaminated grounds. Portsmouth Demolition carried out investigation into the full extent of the underground tanks by having a competent subcontractor remove the inspection covers, and carry out gas meter readings and take samples of the liquids contained within. The subcontractor carried out the de-gassing, purging, and cleaning of the tanks before the removal works were undertaken by Portsmouth Demolition.
Ground contamination was found during the slab and foundations removal works. This consisted of an old oil pit which was not originally identified in the ground survey supplied in the pre-construction information. When the ground contamination was identified the work in the area ceased and the area was sealed off. Samples were taken, and a method to remove the waste materials was complied.
The waste materials were removed under conditions, so as not to contaminated any other areas on the site. The liquid waste was pumped from the area before the solid waste was dug out from the ground and loaded into lined skips for removal from site to a licensed waste facility.
Asbestos containing materials were found to be present within all of the buildings on the project. Some of the asbestos materials were non-licensed and could be removed by Portsmouth Demolition’s trained operatives. Other licensed asbestos materials had to be removed by a licensed asbestos contractor.
A phased plan had to be compiled by Portsmouth Demolition to ensure the both the non-licensed and licensed asbestos removals could be carried out in a safe method and coincide with the demolition works, to ensure the project program was not delayed.
Prior to the demolition of the buildings, the asbestos works were undertaken, followed by the internal fixtures and fittings being stripped out by hand and loaded into covered bins for disposal off site to licensed recycling facilities. This method of works enabled us to control the generation of debris and the segregation of different waste materials, while ensuring the waste did not not migrate from the controlled areas.
On completion of the asbestos removals and strip out works, the mechanical 360-excavator works commenced on the steel frame warehouse units. A 360-excavator fitted with a shear attachment sheared through the roof apex’s of the warehouse in a methodical peace meal fashion, maintaining the integrity of the side elevations to act as screens during the process.
On completion of the roof, the 360-excavator using the same methodology and attachment demolished the side elevations of the warehouse, down to the top of the ground slab. The arising waste metals were segregated from any general rubbish, and all waste was periodically loaded into containers for removal from site.
The above method was used to carry out the demolition to all of the warehouse units on the site.
Once the steel frames had been demolished to slab level, and the waste materials had been cleared from the site, 360-excavators commenced the works to break up the slabs and foundations to the site. As the works continued a crusher was brought to site. The concrete and hardcore materials were crushed on site graded to 6F2, and stockpiled for reuse by the client.
Throughout the demolition works, slab/foundation removal and crushing process, water suppression was used to control the generation of dust.
During the whole project health & safety inspections were carried out by internal and external health & safety advisers, and the results were relayed to the management of Portsmouth Demolition and Cornerstone Building Surveyors.
On completion of all works a site meeting was arrange between Portsmouth Demolition and cornerstone Building Surveyors to ensure the client was satisfied with the results of the work, and carry out the hand over of the site.
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