Duration: March 2021 to August 2021
Type(s) of work: Fully Licensed Asbestos Removal
Form of Contract: SBCC Standard Building Contract
Brief description: Removal and disposal of asbestos insulation from pipework from various locations within the Ground and First Floors.
To facilitate some proposed internal refurbishment works within a Category A Listed Building in the Scottish Borders there was a requirement for some asbestos removal works to be completed.
A listed building, or listed structure, is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, Cadw in Wales, and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency in Northern Ireland.
Historic Environment Scotland defines a Category A listing as:
"Buildings of special architectural or historic interest which are outstanding examples of a particular period, style or building type."Listed buildings and structures may not be demolished, extended, or altered without special permission from the local planning authority, which typically consults the relevant central government agency, particularly for significant alterations to the most notable listed buildings.
Having previously enjoyed a long-standing working, relationship with Lothian Estates, Enviraz were approached, initially, to conduct an initial site scoping visit with a view to assisting Lothian estates and the client’s Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Timms, Eida Associates in the preparation of a suitable scope of works for tendering purposes.
Subsequently tender documents were issued, via Lothian Estates, and Enviraz successfully tendered for the provision of Asbestos Removal and Remediation Services from within the Basement Corridor, Butler’s Room, Brushing Room, China Room and Gun Room as well as the Ground Floor Flower Room.
Within the Tender documents was the requirement to provide 2nr options for dealing with the Asbestos insulation beneath the basement corridor. Option 1 requested a cost for the “Removal and Disposal of asbestos insulation and cleaning of the remaining pipework and surrounding locale”, while Option 2 was to allow for the “Removal and disposal of pipework with asbestos insulation using the wrap and cut method” this would allow the client, their agent, and appointed Quantity Surveyor to consider both options in terms of price and programme and the overall impact upon the ongoing refurbishment programme.
In the end the Client’s Representative preferred a hybrid approach with a combination of Option 1 and Option 2 depending upon the location of the works. Upon conclusion of the tender process Enviraz were awarded the contract for the removal works.
The updated Schedule of Works detailed that Enviraz removed pipe insulation and cleaned pipes from old butlers’ room, brushing room, china room, monument room, gents’ cloakroom, and flower room. Whereas within the basement corridor we wrapped and cut the pipework and cleared the trench of all concrete debris.
Enviraz undertook a site visit to enable preparation of the necessary Plan of Work and ASB5 Notification to the Health and Safety Executive. Upon completion of the Site Visit and Plan of Work the ASB5 was submitted with works programmed to commence on 29th March with completion on 27th April.
Works would involve the removal and disposal of 60 linear metres of asbestos insulation from metal pipework using red box wet injection system and removal and disposal of 80 linear metres of metal pipework with insulation residue using wrap and cut technique. Works would be fully licensed and undertaken under negative pressure with BS8520 wet strip and shadow vacuuming and appropriate RPE utilised as control measures throughout the works.
All parties were conscious that removal works were taking place within a Category A listed building and appropriate control measures were implemented to negate any damage to the existing structure or artefacts contained within. In addition, the property remained occupied throughout, and it was important that everyone involved treated the property as they would any occupied residence that they were operating within. Enviraz utilised a mixture of discretion and extensive project management to ensure that our works were undertaken without the knowledge of any asbestos removal taking place.
Works progressed in line with the anticipated programme with successful 4-stage clearances being completed on completion of the removal, encapsulation and re-insulation works.
By utilising the appropriate resources and establishing positive working relationships with all stakeholders, Enviraz completed the project within budget and in line with the client's programme.
Throughout this project, Enviraz were aware of the sensitive environment we were operating within and made relevant changes to our working methods and practices to ensure minimum disruption and inconvenience to the residents, staff, and visitors to the gardens. To aid discretion, Enviraz used unliveried vans and decontamination vehicles to prevent drawing undue attention to our activities.
Enviraz spare no expense in ensuring our operatives are provided with premium plant, equipment, and consumables. This ensures we are always at the cutting edge of new technology and innovation in the asbestos removal industry. We regularly take part in regional meetings with our trade association, ARCA, to discuss forthcoming legislation and industry “best practice.” This enables us to implement new techniques and technologies before their introduction via legislation and ensures we are always on the frontline for innovation.
Our 24/7 delivery model enabled us to meet our client’s strict schedule while our quality, environmental and safety management systems ensured works were carried out to the highest standard, resulting in client satisfaction.
Enviraz Contracts Manager, Robert Whitehill was the lead client contact for the duration of this contract. Robert has over 20 years in the asbestos industry which was beneficial to the role the main point of contact throughout the contract. Robert was assisted in the delivery of the project by our Quantity Surveyor, John Kennedy while Enviraz Compliance Officer, Tony Donnelly, and Health & Safety Officer, Jonathan Green provided additional support to all areas of the contract.
Our on-site supervisor, Alan Hay, undertook direct supervision of works, and all on-site operatives held the relevant certifications: Asbestos Removal Supervisors Courses and Refreshers, PASMA, IPAF, Red Box Systems, CSCS and confined space entry systems.
Having worked with Enviraz on previous projects we were glad that they had successfully been awarded the tender for these removal works due to our good working relationship. During the course of the works Enviraz’s workers always turned up on site when expected and if there were any problems kept site fully aware. There was always good communication between the project team ensuring that any additional material was advised in good time to allow for reprogramming and removal. The site workers carried out all protection and removals safely and efficiently. We look forward to working with Enviraz in the future.
Enviraz consider the positive outcome of the project to be justification of our collaborative, open and honest approach to project management.