Rafferty’s are seeking to employ a level 3 rope access technician with working experience in the steeplejack and lightning protection industry.
For all enquiries please contact Carl Woodroffe or Alex Bradley in our contracts department.
Posts tagged "lightning protection"
Marston’s Grade II Listed Brick Chimney Refurbishment
Major Refurbishment of a 41m High Grade II Listed Brick Chimney
In January 2013 Rafferty Steeplejacks were awarded a major refurbishment contract on a 41m high Grade II listed industrial brick chimney for Marston’s Plc at their historic brewing site in Burton-Upon-Trent.
Our initial survey of the redundant structure in August 2012 came just in time as it revealed that the chimney was found to be in a structurally poor and deteriorated condition, in particular within the top 14m where the brickwork in areas was literally crumbling on touch. Due to the seriousness of the defects encountered, Marston’s immediately instructed Rafferty’s to install safety scaffolding within the top 16m of the chimney to prevent any loose and deteriorated brickwork from falling directly to ground level. The installation of the scaffolding had to be carried out very tentatively as not to disturb any of the deteriorated brickwork. This was completed without incident and ultimately ensured the safety of all on-site personnel.
In the meantime Rafferty’s promptly compiled a comprehensive inspection report and proposed a detailed refurbishment plan to the engineers and senior management of Marston’s. Such was their faith in Rafferty’s wealth of knowledge and experience in projects such as this, Marston’s awarded the six figure contract on single tender.
With the chimney being a grade II listed structure all plans had to be approved by the local council who commendably fully co-operated with ourselves and the client to ensure the safety of the structure.
The refurbishment plan consisted of the following;
- Careful plotting and detailed drawings of the existing brickwork were issued prior to deconstruction to ensure that the re-building work was carried out to identically match the original chimney construction.
- Careful deconstruction of the top 14m of chimney brickwork.
- Re-build of the top 9.147m of brickwork to identically match the original Victorian construction of the chimney before an extension was added in the 1970’s. New antique style bricks had to be manufactured for the re-build due to the poor condition of the existing brickwork.
- Re-pointing of the remaining 27m of chimney brickwork externally.
- Re-pointing of internal brickwork and replacement of loose and missing bricks where required.
- Repairs to retaining band steelwork.
- Upgrade of lightning protection system to comply with current BS EN 62305 European standard.
- All re-pointing and re-building works was carried out using an English Heritage approved lime mortar.
The contract was carried out over a 21 week period and was completed without any safety incidents and to the full satisfaction of the client, local council and all involved. Garry Hollins, Site Engineer and Ian Reeley, Senior Projects Manager for Marston’s made the following testimonies on completion of the works.
“The chimney looks fantastic, could you send a big thank you to your team for a job well done. I have felt for them in some of the awful weather we had at the beginning of the year and the blistering heat at the latter part. The job has been carried out with the up most professionalism and will be more than happy to give a reference to anyone thinking of using your Company.” – Garry Hollins, Site Engineer, Marston’s Plc.
“You have completed an excellent project, carried out with great pride, determination, quality and with a very high regard to safety. Very well done.” – Ian Reeley, Senior Projects Manager, Marston’s Plc
To be given the opportunity to refurbish a structure such as the chimney at Marston’s is something which we relish as a company. This particular industrial brick chimney has stood for well over a century and is an iconic local landmark in Burton-Upon-Trent. We are delighted to have our name behind restoring and preserving the chimney for many years to come and would like to offer our gratitude to Marston’s for entrusting Rafferty’s with this project.
The following photographs show the chimney before, during and after the refurbishment works.
CONDITION OF BRICKWORK BEFORE REPAIRS
INSTALLATION OF SAFETY SCAFFOLDING
DECONSTRUCTION OF CHIMNEY BRICKWORK
DURING RECONSTRUCTION OF CHIMNEY BRICKWORK
COMPLETION OF WORKS
ATLAS Members Put Safety First
When choosing a contractor to carry out specialised works at height on their industrial chimneys, it is paramount that Companies are aware of the benefits of using an ATLAS member.
ATLAS is the governing body for the steeplejack and lightning protection industry and is also acknowledged by the HSE. The HSE recommend that chimney owners use ATLAS registered Companies, formerly known as the ‘National Federation of Master Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers’.
Rafferty’s have been a full member of ATLAS since its formation.
In a recent press release (see below) ATLAS have highlighted the commitment of its members towards health & safety. This press release should provide further comfort to Companies who use ATLAS members for their high level chimney works.
PRESS RELEASE
11 June 2012
ATLAS Members Put Safety First
The latest annual survey undertaken by the Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists (ATLAS) has highlighted the commitment of its members to health and safety in the workplace after ATLAS recorded lower fatal and major injury rates than the construction industry as a whole.
The results of the 2011 ATLAS Accident Survey, covering over 1,120 operatives, revealed that no fatalities were recorded by ATLAS members for the third consecutive year in an industry where working at height is unavoidable. One major injury was reported, categorised as a slip, trip or fall on the same level, at an incidence rate of 89.3 per 100,000 workers. This was lower than the rates for both the specialist sector as represented by the National Specialist Contractors’ Council (NSCC) at 168.8 per 100,000 workers and the industry at 173.2 per 100,000 workers. Frequency rates for all accidents, both reportable and non-reportable, improved to 42,091 working hours per accident, allowing ATLAS to demonstrate to clients and other interested parties that its members have a better safety record than non-members.
ATLAS has a dedicated Safety & Access Committee to develop and promote safe working practices within the industry. This has included a recent programme of testing on ladders and modular scaffold frames in order to determine the equipment’s safety limitations, the results of which will be available later this year. By providing guidance and up to date information on regulations and working practices, ATLAS helps its members to maintain the highest safety standards, which is reflected in the continued quality of their work.
Chairman of the ATLAS Accident Committee, John Ashmore, commented on the results of the report:
“During a recession, many businesses look to cut operating costs which can lead to an increase in accidents on site but ATLAS members have continued to prioritise health and safety in the workplace. As well as demonstrating that ATLAS members have an improving safety record, the results of this survey enable lessons to be learnt and shared amongst the membership which reduces the likelihood of similar accidents happening again in future.”
The results of the 2011 Accident Survey were presented at the ATLAS Annual Convention on Saturday 26 May at the Royal Yacht Hotel in St. Helier, Jersey, which was attended by over 80 ATLAS delegates.
Rafferty’s Trainee Steeplejack Achieves Top Awards
Last night saw the Steeplejack & Lightning Protection Training Group awards ceremony in which Peter Nuthall, one of Rafferty’s trainee steeplejacks, achieved two prestigious awards. Peter has been with the company for over three years and has attended the National Construction College at Bircham Newton to qualify as a steeplejack. Peter won the Bert Bird Award for best portfolio and the Barry Congreave Trophy for best overall achiever. The picture below shows Carl Woodroffe, Contracts Director of Rafferty’s, presenting the awards to Peter.
The directors of Rafferty’s are immensely proud of Peter’s achievements which are a testament to his character and work ethic. We would like to wish him all the very best in his chosen career and look forward to working with him in the future.
GMP Museum Contract Awarded
Rafferty Steeplejacks have been awarded a contract to carry out the complete refurbishment of a 27m high brick chimney at the Greater Manchester Police Museum in Central Manchester. The works will include the following;
- Installation of safety fan deck scaffolding directly above roof level to protect members of the public in the event of falling debris.
- Installation of multi-lift scaffolding throughout the full height of the chimney above roof level. The multi-lift scaffold arrangement will be fully enclosed using Monarflex sheeting.
- Cutting out and replacing approximately 60 No. spalled bricks on all elevations.
- Raking out and re-pointing of all mortar joints throughout the full height of the chimney on all elevations.
- Repairs to the chimneys stone head and replacement of existing steel retaining band at the termination point.
- Design & installation of a new lightning protection system to comply with BS EN 62305:2006.
Steeplejacks to Repair 19th Century Water Tower
A valued customer in Burton-On-Trent has awared Rafferty’s a contract to carry out maintenance repairs to a 19th Century water tower. The water tower was constructed in 1866 and stands approximately 34m high above ground level.
Rafferty’s were initially contracted to replace the Union Jack flag at the termination point of the tower and carry out an all elevation inspection of the structure using rope access techniques.
The inspection revealed defects that would be expected of a 145 year old structure. All defects were deteailed in a comprehensive report and photographic log for the clients consideration. A suitable repair method was then formulated by Rafferty’s who were then instructed to proceed with the restoration works which include the following;
- Cutting out and replacing approximately 400 No. spalled bricks on all elevations.
- Replacing a defective area of stonework with new which will be re-bed and doweled into position.
- Removal of moss and vegetation from brickwork and mortar joints.
- Raking out and re-pointing of perished mortar joints on all elevations.
- Chasing out and sealing of various fractures on all elevations.
- Modifications to the lightning protection system to comply with current standards.
Safe access to all elevations of the structure will be achieved by using suspended platforms which can be elevated to all levels of the tower. The duration of the contract is expected to be 5/6 weeks weather depending and will require a team of 3 steeplejack operatives.
The Sam Rafferty Award
In 2010 the Steeplejack & Lightning Protection Training Group created a top award for the best candidate in both the steeplejack and lightning protection training categories. The training group decided to call it ‘The Sam Rafferty Award’ in recognition of the late Master Steeplejack Sam Rafferty. This ‘best of the best’ award was given to Bradley Whitehead at the recent CITB awards ceremony. The picture below shows Carl Woodroffe, Contracts Director of Rafferty Steeplejacks, proudly presenting the award to Bradley.
The Directors of Rafferty’s would like to congratulate Bradley for his achievements and for being the first candidate to win this prestigious award. We would also like to wish him all the very best for the future in his chosen career.