maintenance | Rafferty Steeplejacks

Lightning Strike Causes Structural Damage to Lighthouse

August 2, 2018
No Comments

Over the recent weekend it has been reported that a staggering 90,000 lightning strikes hit the UK. The Old Hunstanton Lighthouse in Norfolk was a victim of one those strikes and the following photograph shows the severity of structural damage that can occur as a result of direct lightning strike.

The structural damage caused to the lighthouse and the subsequent risk the falling brickwork and masonry posed to the residents and members of the public emphasises the importance of having an up to date and certified lightning protection system fitted to your building to prevent costly structural damage, or worse, loss of human life.

Following the events of the weekend Rafferty’s lightning protection division has been awarded the contract to design, supply and install a lightning protection system to the lighthouse and surrounding buildings in accordance with BS EN 62305 requirements. Our qualified lightning protection engineers will be on site this week installing the new system to ensure that when the next thunderstorm occurs, this iconic structure and its residents will be fully protected.

For more information on lightning protection installation, testing, inspection & maintenance, please contact Steve Jacques: steve@raffertylps.com

The photograph was taken from the Eastern Daily Press website Credit: Eastern Daily Express. Photo by: Tony Bishopp. Read the full article here http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/weather/old-hunstanton-lighthouse-damaged-after-lightning-strike-1-5626841

January 5, 2018
No Comments

First and foremost we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

The year 2018 will see the Company achieve its 69^th year in business. Whilst predominantly being a leading name in the industrial chimney and steeplejack industry since 1949, the Company is now looking to diversify in to other sectors of the service industry which are closely linked to the services we have provided throughout our history.

Lightning Protection

Since its formation the Company has consistently carried out lightning protection work but in 2017 Rafferty’s recruited key employees to bolster this sector of our business, most notably, employing Steve Jacques who has 22 years’ experience in the industry. Steve gained his experience working for arguably the biggest Lightning Protection company in the UK and he has been tasked to head up our lightning protection services department. With the addition of Steve and several others, Rafferty’s can offer our clients a full comprehensive service whatever their requirements are in relation to lightning protection. For further information about our lightning protection services please feel free to contact us or have a browse the lightning protection services section on our website.

Specialist Access Services

Our vast experience and specialised methods of working at height on industrial chimneys can be adapted to almost any type of high level structure. We are now offering a multitude of services in high level inspection, maintenance and installation for industrial or commercial structures. To view our full range of services in this respect, please feel free to browse the specialist access services section on our website and contract us for any enquiries.

Our Objective

The key to the success of our Company during its 69 year history is repeat business and we have achieved this by providing our clients with a personal and quality service which is second to none. The Company has always been (and still is) a family run business and this ethos is engrained throughout the Company and will continue to apply to all services we are now proud to offer.

October 18, 2016
No Comments

Rafferty Steeplejacks have been awarded a contract to carry out essential maintenance works to a 50m high brick chimney in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

July 23, 2013
No Comments

Rafferty Steeplejacks have been involved in every major shutdown on this particular Oil Refinery since 1974 and we are delighted to have been awarded inspection & maintenance works on 4 No. reinforced concrete chimneys during this years shutdown turnaround.

The site work will commence in August with the shutdown planned to start at the end of September through to early November.

The chimneys covered under Rafferty’s remit include the following;

1. 122m High SRU Reinforced Concrete Chimney

2. 121.7m High HVI Reinforced Concrete Chimney

3. 120m High Platformer 3 Reinforced Concrete Chimney

4. 80m High CO Boiler Reinforced Concrete Chimney

November 23, 2011
No Comments

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.

November 10, 2011
No Comments

The external repairs on a 30m high brick chimney in Gloucestershire UK are well underway in preparation for the sites Christmas shutdown. A team of 3 steeplejack operatives are currently carrying out the work which includes the installation of specialised access scaffolding at the termination point, along with fracture repairs and re-painting of external steelwork. Internal maintenance repairs to the brick lining is planned for the Christmas shutdown and includes an internal washdown and partial demolition and re-building of the internal brick lining. Please click on the following photographs to enlarge.

October 13, 2011
No Comments

A valued customer based in Gloucestershire UK has awarded Rafferty’s a contract to carry out external and internal maintenance works on a 30m high brick chimney during the Christmas period.

The external maintenance work includes pointing of fractures and re-painting of external steelwork. The internal maintenance work includes a washdown and partial demolition and re-building of the internal refractory brick lining. The internal brick lining repairs are crucial to the sites production for the new year so a strict planning schedule has been implemented to ensure that the shutdown dates are achieved.

Finally, when you are enjoying the festivities this year please spare a thought for the steeplejacks working up high amongst the soot of the chimneys around the UK. For these hardy men it will definitely not be a white Christmas!

September 13, 2011
No Comments

Rafferty’s have secured a sizable contract to carry out maintenance works on 2 No. 89m high twin flue steel chimneys and 1 No. 33m high multi flue steel chimney for a valued customer in London, UK.

The maintenance works are planned to start at the end of September and will require a specialised team of steeplejack operatives for a duration of nearly 8 weeks.

Posts tagged "maintenance"

Lightning Strike Causes Structural Damage to Lighthouse

2018 A Year for Diversification

Swadlincote Brick Chimney Repairs

Oil Refinery Shutdown Contract Awarded

Steeplejacks to Repair 19th Century Water Tower

Brick Chimney Repairs Underway

Steeplejacks Reserved For Christmas Shutdown

London Contract Secured

Monday	7am > 5pm
Tuesday	7am > 5pm
Wendsday	7am > 5pm
Thursday	7am > 5pm
Friday	7am > 5pm
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

Posts tagged "maintenance"

Cookies