TRAC Capability – Former BHS / Co-op Building

TRAC began the project for Vinci in October 2020 after compiling a large, comprehensive demolition survey and creating the scope of works for removals after the completion of the 1^st phase of asbestos removal works from the building.

On appointment of the LARC (Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor), environmental cleaning was instructed throughout the building to allow safe access to all floors without control factors.

TRAC provided further surveys to supplement information collated from the original survey to detail extent of contamination to areas returning positive samples or to areas like internal walls which could be removed as part of the soft strip.

Non-licensed and licensed products were found throughout the building, items such as bitumen and textured coatings which could be removed under controlled conditions. AIB (Asbestos insulating board) and thermal insulation are licensable products and require removal under fully controlled conditions. This required the construction of an enclosure which is generally constructed with timber and 1000 gauge polythene sheeting and must be fully sealed, include an Airlock & Baglock (where possible) CCTV and/or vision panels and Negative Pressure Units to allow for filtering the air within the enclosure. A Decontamination Unit must be present on site for these works to allow operatives to decontaminate after exiting the enclosure. When removal works have been completed by the LARC, they will hand over the enclosure to the Analyst for a 4-stage clearance inspection.

During our time on site TRAC has completed 29 4SC inspections to allow for reoccupation into the cleaned areas.

TRAC has liaised with principal contractor Vinci Construction. completing Surveys on request, daily air monitoring, facilitating land remediation and WAC (Waste Acceptance Criteria) samples for the groundworks of a new Community Diagnostics Centre building to be constructed on site, ensuring all parties were providing an effective, coordinated service. 

Access issues for lift shaft enclosure:

Bespoke scaffolding was required to enable the removal of Durasteel panels and Thermal Insulation residues identified in TRAC Demolition survey, Basement to 4^th floor. This was constructed within the lift shaft which was split in the middle by Durasteel panels. Nuts and bolts could then be removed from the lift shaft frame allowing for safe removal of the panels with minimal damage. Thermal insulation residues could then be thoroughly cleaned from the metal framework throughout.

Insufficient hand tools for removal of concrete infills from within block ceiling:

After unsuccessful attempts to remove concrete infills from the block ceiling it was determined that a BROKK would be far more efficient to remove the infills. This remote-controlled machine can be controlled from a safe distance and was able to remove the infills effectively in a fraction of the time. It could also be dismantled and fully decontaminated before the enclosure was removed.