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Brick Chimney Demolition Complete

August 16, 2017
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Rafferty Steeplejacks, Brick Chimney Demolition

Rafferty’s have recently completed the demolition of a brick chimney for a valued client in the North West, UK.

The brick chimney stood 57m high above ground level and measured 7.4m in diameter at the base and 5m in diameter at the termination point, a colossal structure.

The bulk of the demolition was carried out by our hardworking team of steeplejacks in a piecemeal fashion, depositing all rubble down the inside of the chimney. Access was in the form of specialised modular frame scaffolding which was installed at the termination point of the chimney and is designed to be lowered in conjunction with the demolition. The bottom approximate 20m of the chimney was demolished using a high reach machine.

The contract was successfully completed without any safety incidents and ahead of schedule.

Our clients lead engineer for the project had this to say;

As always, I am very happy with the work that you and your guys have carried out, and a pleasure to have them on site.

Thanks once again to your senior team who work hard behind the scenes to make sure that all aspects of the job come together when they should, your company has demonstrated an exemplary work ethic on a job that has been very much in the spotlight.

August 15, 2017
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Rafferty’s have recently completed a bespoke engineering project for a valued client in Devon, UK.

The scope consisted of the design, manufacture and installation of 2 No. stainless steel liners & associated ducting to suit their new operating conditions. The new liners were to be housed within the clients existing 35m high brick chimney, which is somewhat of a local landmark.

Before the new liners could be designed and manufactured, our engineering team carried out precise site measurements within the brick chimney and flue to ensure that the new liners and ducting would achieve the required height and connect perfectly with the new boiler & CHP ducting within the boiler house. Once this was completed the design and manufacture of the new liners and ducting was undertaken.

The site installation work of the new liners and associated ducting was carried out by a team of Rafferty’s specialised steeplejack operatives from mid-May to the early part of June during the clients planned shutdown period. The project was completed on time, on budget and to the complete satisfaction of our client.

Our client, Alison Kitchener – Business Project Manager, had this to say;

As part of our new CHP installation project we had to think carefully about how best to manage the resultant emissions from this and the new combination boiler. Our brick chimney stack is 35m tall and it was calculated that the new more efficient equipment would only produce emissions which would reach about 20m before condensing. We therefore had to consider whether to install new stacks, take 15m off the top of the chimney (which would have looked odd) or install new flues which would be narrower but would allow us to continue to utilise this important town landmark. As Rafferty’s have maintained the stack for so many years, they were the obvious choice to assist us with our decision making – the result of which was the installation of 2 new flues.

We were really pleased with how Rafferty’s worked alongside ourselves and our CHP contractors as space was limited and we had to accommodate various cranes as well as the flues etc. whilst continuing to operate and move fabric around this area. Some of our meeting rooms look onto the works and I know a few meetings were paused as the spectacle of the flues being lifted above and down into the chimney were observed. We were fortunate with the weather overall so the work was completed by the required date allowing the rest of the CHP installation project to progress as planned. Thanks to Matt Rafferty, Carl Woodroffe, Steve Moulton and his team for all of their efforts with this project which ensures the continued use of the chimney for many more years to come.

June 8, 2020
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Rafferty Lightning Protection was appointed to install a new BSEN 62305 Lightning Protection Systems to the Eastlands project at the world-famous Arch Wembley Stadium. The development is located adjacent to Wembley and consists of four buildings splayed radially ranging from 12 to 15 Storeys in Height, providing 633 residential apartments and 3,376 sqm of retail, office, community and Leisure floor space, cycle parking is provided for residents, along with the use of all the associated external amenity space, hard and soft landscaping and ancillary areas including a basement.

The ground floors will accommodate residential entrances and lobbies, concierge facilities, commercial spaces, residential amenity, circulation and primary access to the upper floors.
Each apartment has access to a private balcony or terrace and within the basement there are parking bays with Electrical Vehicle Charging Points and the facility for disabled parking.

Rafferty Lightning Protection were responsible for the design, supply, installation and testing of a new Lightning Protection System throughout the development.

June 8, 2020
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Rafferty Lightning Protection were appointed to install a BSEN 62305 Lightning protection system at the first New Secondary school to be built in Oxford for more than 60 years.

Plans to build a new secondary school in Oxford were approved for a new building on an existing school field.

The project consists of 2 new School buildings and a sports Centre..

Rafferty Lightning Protection were responsible for the design, supply, installation and testing of a new Lightning Protection System throughout the development.

June 8, 2020
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Rafferty Lightning Protection have been appointed to deliver a brand new BSEN 62305 Lightning protection system to a Grade II Listed former Hospital complex which is being converted into Student accommodation.

The site, which has stood empty for more than a decade now has permission to be built on. The hospital first closed 11 years ago and has been left empty ever since. All other post-war buildings on the site have since been demolished and the area has been used as a car park. However, the former nurses’ home and outpatients clinic remain due to being listed.

The former nurses’ accommodation building (the larger of the two listed buildings) will be renovated, extended and renovated/converted, The former outpatients clinic building (the smaller of the two listed buildings), modern extensions will be demolished, new extensions built, and renovated/converted. There will be a common room, gym and study areas located centrally within the building

The student accommodation will be contained within the former nurses accommodation, the former outpatients clinic and the new five-storey building.

Rafferty Lightning Protection were responsible for the design, supply, installation and testing of a new Lightning Protection System throughout the development.

July 31, 2017
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Rafferty’s are looking to recruit several Steeplejack and Rope Access operatives for an immediate start.

Please send all enquiries to carl@rafferty1949.com

January 11, 2017
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Rafferty Steeplejacks have successfully completed repair works to a 50m high brick chimney in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, UK.

The work carried out on the chimney was independently inspected and verified by the client and a structural engineer namely, John Turner (Engineering Consultants) Ltd, to which we achieved complete satisfaction from all parties involved. John Turner had this to say on completion of the contract;

“Rafferty’s are to be congratulated on completion of the project safely and to good quality”

The work to the chimney consisted of the following;

– 150sqm of repointing

– Repairs to external cracks

– Replacement of damaged bricks

– Manufacture & replacement of defective retaining bands and vertical straps

– Manufacture and installation of new stainless steel capping plate

– Upgrade of Lightning Protection System

The following photographs show the chimney on completion of the works.

January 11, 2017
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Rafferty Steeplejacks would like to wish their customers, suppliers and everyone associated with the company a happy and prosperous new year. We look forward to working with you during our 68th year in business.

October 25, 2016
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Rafferty Steeplejacks have successfully completed another international contract in the form of repair works to a 50m high concrete chimney located in the Dominican Republic.

The 8 week contract, which began in August, involved;

– replacement of cast iron capping sections

– concrete repair works

– complete re-painting of the chimney

– internal plating repairs to steel flue inlets

The image to the left shows the chimney on successful completion of works.

October 18, 2016
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Earlier in the year Rafferty Steeplejacks were awarded a contract by the NHS to dismantle the 52m high redundant multi flue steel chimney at Royal Stoke University Hospital. Throughout our history the company has been responsible for drastically changing the local skyline and the successful completion of this contract saw the skyline of Stoke-on-Trent transformed once again.