BACKGROUND
Inspire Contract Services Ltd were invited to tender for several roofs throughout this large industrial unit in Norfolk. Following a full survey of all areas on site a total of approx 3000m2 of pitched asbestos roofs were found to have excessive and progressive damage causing considerable water ingress to the trade counter, warehouses and offices below.
The in-depth survey revealed that several valley and boundary gutters were saturated and providing inadequate drainage. The pitched asbestos roofs were also found to have sufficient deterioration to the structure to require complete replacement or extensive repairs where feasible. In addition, there were a number of extensive replacements required to the existing rooflights that were situated within the roof slopes.
During the lead-in period, a detailed programme of works was prepared and agreed with the client and was used throughout the project to ensure the works did not affect the day to day running of the businesses below. All Health & Safety documentation including the Construction Phase Plan was issued to the client during the site mobilisation period to ensure all safety measures were in place.
The contract was overseen by Inspire’s project Team, with regular meetings held between the Client, CA and Inspire Director/Contracts Manager to ensure the project was running smoothly, on time and was meeting all health and safety requirements.
THE WORKS
The specification involved replacing the existing corrugated asbestos roof sheets with a new insulated profiled metal cladding system, incorporating insulated valley gutters, rooflights and rainwater goods.
Works included:
- Erection of scaffolding – secured at ground level behind 3m high heras fenced panels to prevent any unauthorised access
- Removal of existing asbestos profiled roof sheets and disposal into asbestos enclosed skips
- Installation of new 120mm thick Tata Steel composite roof sheeting incorporating 150mm mineral fibre quilt insulation and new Ash Grid
- Installation of new GRP double skinned factory assembled rooflights
- Replacement of associated valley gutters with new high performance Plygene gutter system
- All external rainwater goods, fascia and soffits were replaced to match the existing
- Installation of man-safe and debris netting internally to protect operatives working at roof level and also staff working internally within the unit
- Asbestos Air Monitoring Tests carried out every week whilst stripping works took place
- Upon completion of the roofing works the internal safety protection measures were removed, fully cleaned, and handed back to the client.
THE RESULT
The roof areas were phased into three separate sections, with each phase enclosed to ensure no contamination entered into the below work area and adjacent zone. This ensured that designated areas of the unit could work as normal.
Internally below the asbestos roof panels we installed debris safety netting. This was to ensure operatives were protected from falls from height when removing the asbestos roof panels. The man safe netting was also fitted with debris netting to ensure no debris from the roof removal entered into the area below. The safety netting was installed during out of hours to ensure the branch could operate as normal during the working day.
The majority of the works were undertaken during the general occupancy of the unit and therefore it was imperative all works were carried out in accordance with all health and safety requirements to reduce the impact upon the staff and daily running of the business.
Upon completion of the works, all roofs were successfully signed off, and the building was handed back to the client within the agreed timescale. Inspire’s involvement from inception to completion ensured that works were delivered to the highest standards, on time and within budget. The general working environment for occupants has also been improved whilst compliant insulation has lowered the energy consumption of the building.
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