Overview:

Remove asbestos fire- proofing from structural steel beams in Northbourne House’s Annex Building

Summary:

Through working with DECC, Demolition Environmental Civil Contractors, ASP Australia was able to secure a contract to clear Northbourne House’s Annex Building of asbestos – a long awaited project that was sure to demand a great deal of expertise and attention to detail.

Given the nature and size of the Annex building, a commercial development with over 700m² of floor space, a team of nine asbestos removal specialists were brought in to address over 50 steel struts and beams, before going on to dress surfaces with PVA for handover.

Given the nature and size of the Annex building, a commercial development with over 700m² of floor space, a team of nine asbestos removal specialists were brought in to address over 50 steel struts and beams, before going on to dress surfaces with PVA for handover.

The team assigned to this project were required to work simultaneously to effectively manage removal deadlines and waste accumulation within the enclosed space, thereby minimising the risk of asbestos infiltrating the uncontrolled environment. The project called for the same high standards in asbestos removal code of practice for friable classified asbestos material requiring staff to be equipped with the following PPE:

•   Type 5 Overalls;
•   Full-face, Battery-Powered P3 Mask;
•   Nitrile Gloves and;
•    Gumboots.

Multiple modular decontamination facilities were established at the respective access routes to the building, along with the entire floor, all walls and the inner surfaces of the roof being lined with a special dust-tight polythene sheet to further minimise the risks of any asbestos being transferred to non-contaminated air, surfaces and people. As such, ASP Australia employed the use of the following tools and equipment:

• Modular Decontamination Units and Auxiliaries
• Negative Pressure Units
• H-rated Vacuums
• Airless Atomizers

Taking the heat and humidity into account as the project ran over the summer months, ASP Australia faced a number of challenges that have ultimately helped the team to gain further experience and insight into fast and effective asbestos removal, including;

Maintaining a dust-tight working environment over such a large space

· Working under a metal-cladded roof, within an enclosed space, in full PPE during the summer heat.

·  Removing microscopic asbestos residue from imperfections, scratches, dents and dings in the steel roof structures and adjoining struts.

It is with great pride that ASP Australia has managed to successfully meet Northbourne House Annex Building 30-day project deadline and, through clearance inspections provided by third-party assessors.