Each work activity was undertaken by IMS using different control measures suited for each task. All works undertaken have had appropriate detailed Risk Assessments and Method Statements written by IMS and subsequently reviewed by our Client’s review team.

Top 10 Work Tasks

1. Containment of working environment

A fully contained enclosure was erected to facilitate the safe removal of a BIVAC system; these works were undertaken under fully controlled conditions.

A double skinned containment was erected using fire retardant polythene. The floor comprised of ply board, a layer of cordex and 2 layers of 1000gauge fire retardant polythene. The enclosure was run under negative pressure. The BIVAC was unbolted, sealed and lowered to an awaiting pallet using a block and tackle arrangement. All adjoining plant was broken/cut into manageable sizes. The pallet containing the BIVAC had a solid box erected around it and was double lined with poly for easier cleaning. All waste was double bagged and marked as hazardous.

2. Enclosure and blast proof ducting

An enclosure was erected to allow the blast proof ducting and various plant to be cut up/dismantled under fully controlled conditions. The frame was a timber construction and was double skinned with 1000gauge fire retardant polythene. The blast proof ducting was removed under semi-controlled conditions and transferred to the enclosure where it was cut up and double bagged as hazardous waste. Once completed the waste was wiped down and had a mist of PVA applied.

3. Removal and disposal of ducting and AHU

Ducting and the AHU has been removed from high level fixings. Ducting was removed in a controlled manner using MEWPs. The AHU was stripped to minimise weight and was brought to the ground using GENIE super-lifts where it was cut into manageable sections and disposed of as waste.

4. Removal in restricted space – the fire curtain

A significant size fire curtain was removed from the mezzanine level under semi-controlled conditions by removing all fittings that secured the curtain in place. Some fittings could not be removed due to the difficulty of access, when this occurred the curtain was trimmed back as far as possible. Operatives double bagged all waste and again labelled it as hazardous.

5. Clearance of services infrastructure- the mezzanine and second floor

The floors were cleared of all stored items, this included tanks, redundant pipe, redundant general plant as directed by the Client. All MMMF insulation was removed from pipework’s. The entire level was cleaned.

6. Removal of asset labels / categories

All asset labels were removed from them as per pictures. These have removed from all plant within the building.

7. Structural safety enhancement

A wall that has been left dangerously hanging was reinforced so that it could be left in a safe manner. Another wall was completely removed.

8. Removal of solid construction – the glove box and cold store

The flexible ducting hose was removed under semi-controlled conditions and double bagged as waste. The ports/terminals were covered.

The glove box removable table was strapped to the unit with ratchet straps and the unit was wrapped in industrial shrink wrap. The unit was placed on a pallet prior to transportation.

The cold store was dismantled and removed to the general waste skip

9. Dismantling – the Harbruc pillar and Porosimeter

This Harbruc was cut in two using a 9” angle grinder. Operatives were trained on abrasive wheel techniques. Adequate fire arrangements were put in place; fire extinguishers, fire retardant coverings etc. Operatives used half mask respirators and used and eye shield as well as wearing fire protective clothing.

The unit housing the Porosimeter was broken down into all sections. Once all four sides were removed the Porosimeter was manually handled onto a levelled hydraulic table. The table was once again level with an awaiting pallet which it was manually handled onto. Then it was wrapped in industrial shrink wrap and transported to another location in the building

10. Installation of duct access panels

Four hatches were installed into four different ducts to facilitate an inspection of the duct internals. The hatches were installed under semi-controlled conditions.