St Thomas Centre Refurbishment

The Challenge

The prime requirement of Manchester City Council, the building owner, was that the works had to be carried out without the use of scaffolding or other access systems that would allow unauthorised persons to access the roof area and steal the roof lead.

The theft of lead sheet from council buildings and depots in Manchester is a significant problem and involves very considerable cost to the council.

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The Vertical Approach: Safety, Quality, Innovation & Agility

Safety

Rope access and work restraint were the main methods of access that provided safe working methods whilst maintaining the physical security of the building.

Quality

The works included the following:-

• Treatment of the tower stonework with Tensid stone stabiliser

• Renewing of the roof coatings using the Garland White Knight system with a 20 year guarantee

• Re-pointing  of the original handmade bricks using lime mortar

• Renewing coping stone joints with polysulphide mastic

• Re-bedding the ridge tiles and replacing damaged tiles

• Removing in-situ wooden roof ladders and installing EasiDec roof walkways

• Painting of all external woodwork and metalwork

• Renewing below ground drainage and re flagging

Innovation

Installing Dunn & Cowe Ridganka’s to roof timbers for future access works

Agility

The works were undertaken with the centre continuing to function with little disruption to the scheduled activities and the building management complementing Vertical Access personnel on their courtesy and consideration in undertaking the works in such a caring manner.

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Outcome and Feedback

The works were undertaken whilst allowing the centre to continue to function with little disruption to the scheduled activities. Our Vertical Access team was complimented by the building’s management for their courtesy and consideration in conducting their work in such a caring manner The project met all the client’s requirements and led to additional works being ordered by MCC as a result of the successful delivery of the project.

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