• Nash Peake Works,Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 5BT England

Royal Stoke University Hospital

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.

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Swadlincote Brick Chimney Repairs

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

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Royal South Hants Hospital Contract

Rafferty’s have successfully completed a six figure contract on a 42m high multi flue steel chimney for the NHS at Royal South Hants Hospital.

The project was carried out over a 10 week period by Rafferty’s own team of specialist steeplejacks and qualified welders. The work carried out included the following;

– Installation of all specialised access equipment and scaffolding required to carry out the works in a safe manner.

– Structural overplating works to the chimney’s 6 No. flange connections.

– Repairs to 5 No. internal liners.

– Installation of new liner drainage system.

– Manufacture & installation of new access hatch.

– Re-painting the full height of the chimney windshield.

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Happy New Year!

Rafferty Steeplejacks would like to wish all their customers and suppliers a Happy New Year and prosperous 2016!

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Nick Rafferty Achieves 40 Years Service

The year 2015 sees Nick Rafferty, second generation of the Rafferty family of steeplejacks, achieve 40 years service with the company.

At the young age of 16, Nick started work for the Company on 1 April 1975 as an apprentice steeplejack which, coincidently, just so happened to be April fools day!  On his first day on the job he was tasked with laddering a 250ft brick chimney on Holditch Colliery in Stoke-on-Trent… At this point he began to wonder whether the date was really just an unfortunate coincidence!

Before the days of Health & Safety where ‘free climbing’ i.e. climbing without fall arrest equipment was the norm, Nick’s on-site training consisted of a word of advice from his father, Sam Rafferty, who pulled him to one side and said “Nicky… always keep a hand for yourself!” That was it, that was his training for the day. Thankfully, Nick never forgot those wise words of advice and worked as steeplejack for 6 years learning the trade up until a turn in his father’s health meant that he was brought in to the office to carry out more of a managerial role.

When Nick began his management career in the early 80’s the company was trying to grow and establish itself on a National basis.  Before the days of internet marketing this was no easy task and could only be done one way… by knocking on doors.  Nick travelled the length and breadth of the country in search of new customers and business and his efforts paid off.  His natural determination, enthusiasm and entrepreneurship culminated in Rafferty’s establishing itself as one of, if not, the most well known steeplejack company in the UK.

After firmly establishing the company as a major player in the UK market, Nick then set his sights oversees.  From the early 90’s through to the present day Rafferty’s have completed contracts all over the World in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.

Throughout his career Nick has taken the company to unprecedented heights… please excuse the pun!  Now with four grandchildren giving him the run around he is enjoying semi retirement and now only comes in to work when he needs a rest!  That being said Nick was, and still is, the most treasured and valuable asset of the business and we would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his decades of hard work which will always be appreciated.

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States of Jersey 100m High Concrete Chimney Demolition

Complete Demolition of 100m High Reinforced Concrete Chimney at Bellozanne EfW Plant, St Helier, Jersey.

 

In January 2014 Rafferty’s were awarded a contract by the States of Jersey to carry out the complete demolition of the decommissioned reinforced concrete chimney at Bellozanne EfW Plant in St Helier.

The chimney structure was constructed from reinforced concrete and stood 100m above ground level with a respective base and summit diameter of 6.57m and 5.63m.  Internally the chimney housed 3 No. brick and steel constructed flues which were supported on an array of 10 No. reinforced concrete floor slabs. Other than the bottom 20m of the concrete windshield, which was demolished using a high reach machine, the full height of the chimney was demolished in a piecemeal fashion.  This mammoth task was carried out by a select team of highly trained and experienced steeplejacks over a 22 week target schedule.

To provide safe and suitable access for the demolition, a specialised modular frame scaffold platform was installed at the summit of the chimney. This scaffold platform is designed and installed in such a way that it can be lowered as the demolition proceeds.  However, before the chimney could be reduced in height all internal components, such as the 3 No. brick/steel constructed flues and 10 No. reinforced concrete floor slabs, would need to be demolished first. This was carried out using a man riding winch complete with steel gondola for access. To view the removal and final descent of the upper most concrete floor slab please click on the video below.

States of Jersey Demolition Video Clip

With the chimney void now empty the demolition of the main concrete structure could now commence.  This procedure was carried out in a piecemeal fashion.  Rivet busters were used to break away areas of concrete to expose the steel reinforcing.  Once exposed the reinforcing steelwork was cut with flame cutting equipment, allowing a panel of concrete fold in and gravity to take effect, with the concrete panel falling to ground level within the void of the chimney.

The contract was successfully completed ahead of schedule without any safety incidents and to the full satisfaction of the client.   Mr Peter Wilkinson, Principle Engineer on the project for the States of Jersey was kind enough to write a letter of commendation following completion of the works.  To read the letter please click on the following link Letter_Rafferty 230914 reference.

We would like to personally thank Peter and all involved for their support and allowing Rafferty’s to be of service to them and the States of Jersey on this contract.

The following photographs show various stages of the demolition.

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States of Jersey Concrete Chimney Demolition

Rafferty Steeplejacks have been awarded a prestigious contract to completely demolish a 100m high decommissioned reinforced concrete chimney at Bellozanne EfW Plant in St Helier, Jersey.

The demolition contract is due to commence on 3 February 2014 and will be completed in early July, transforming the St Helier skyline forever.

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BAE Systems Twin Steel Chimneys Dismantled

Rafferty Steeplejacks have successfully completed the dismantling of 2 No. 35.3m high multi flue steel chimneys for BAE Systems at their Radway Green site in Cheshire. The following photographs show various stages of the dismantling procedure.

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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;

  1. 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.
  2. Careful deconstruction of the top 14m of chimney brickwork.
  3. 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.
  4. Re-pointing of the remaining 27m of chimney brickwork externally.
  5. Re-pointing of internal brickwork and replacement of loose and missing bricks where required.
  6. Repairs to retaining band steelwork.
  7. Upgrade of lightning protection system to comply with current BS EN 62305 European standard.
  8. 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

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Oil Refinery Shutdown Contract Awarded

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

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