Asbestos removal can be a difficult task in an unoccupied building, let alone a live working environment with adjacent offices in constant use. A recent asbestos removal project in Hampshire was just that.

The asbestos removal project in Hampshire involved the decontamination and removal of asbestos debris from seven rooms along a corridor prior to refurbishment. The concrete structural ceiling above a more modern suspended ceiling had once had asbestos insulation board (AIB) attached. Following an asbestos refurbishment survey, the ceiling void and modern grid system was found to have some AIB debris contamination.

The project required Merryhill to remove all the ceiling tiles, grid system and contaminated timbers above and environmentally clean the entire ceiling void area before the rooms could be reconfigured.

Works began by removing all of the ceiling tiles in each of the seven rooms, these were sprayed with a water surfactant mixture, prior to being wrapped in 1000-gauge polythene and disposed of as hazardous waste. The ceiling grid and lighting fixtures were cleaned and recycled for future use in the newly refurbished rooms once the asbestos had been removed. Upon removal of all suspended ceiling components and other items attached to the structural ceiling above, the contaminated timbers could then be removed.

Each of the timber battens were first encapsulated with ET150 paint and allowed to dry. This was to ensure any loose fibres were encapsulated prior to being pried away from the concrete ceiling above. All the contaminated timbers were placed on polythene sheets and sealed with cloth tape prior to disposal. Once all affected timbers were removed, each room then underwent a full environmental clean to remove any residual asbestos fibres.

Upon completion, the entire area was tested by a third party analytical company and a reoccupation certificate issued to the building owner.

In this project, Merryhill had to accommodate the needs of the client in ensuring some rooms on the opposite side of the corridor could be accessed during the works whilst ensuring adequate levels of segregation. Whilst this was not ideal as it made the working area slightly smaller, the enclosure was constructed in order to maintain access for workers and ensure our operatives could carry out the project in a safe manner.

Merryhill was recently asked to look at an asbestos removal project in Surrey where ACMs had been discovered in a floor void. The contaminated area required all the asbestos to be removed prior to additional service pipes being run by other contractors.

Upon viewing the detailed asbestos refurbishment survey carried out by our surveying division (MATAC), Merryhill was successful in securing the project to remove asbestos pipe lagging and other asbestos residues.

Totalling an area of 150m², this was only part of a much larger floor void that was also contaminated with asbestos, but outside of the project scope.

Prior to commencing work, our asbestos removal team had to seal the area above floor level to create the working enclosure. Once this had been built, then the necessary floor boards were removed in order to access the floor void below. Once the necessary floorboards were removed, the team incorporated the working area into the enclosure, sealing it from the rest of the floor void with 1000 gauge polythene.

Once the working area had been constructed and sealed, the team then carried out the asbestos removal and environmental cleaning of the contaminated area. All pipe lagging was removed using the SafeStrip RedBox injection system. All loose debris was sprayed with a water surfactant and either vacuumed using H-Class machines or placed directly into appropriate waste bags and sealed. As there were a number of disused pipes and other construction debris within the floor void, this was also disposed of as contaminated waste.

As the remainder of the floor void was to remain untouched, a semi-permanent barrier was constructed using 1000 gauge polythene and Corex. This barrier was installed to ensure the cleaned area did not become contaminated once again by the remaining floor void. As part of the clients’ asbestos management plan, the sealed area of cleaned floor void will be tested on an annual basis to ensure a tight seal remains. If future works are to take place within the floor void, then the client can be assured the cleaned area will not require re-visiting.

This staged approach to having asbestos removed from larger areas can be an affordable option to some clients, especially if the remaining materials are in a good condition and pose a low risk. In this case, it is the intention of the client to have the remaining areas completed at a later date.

Removing asbestos is a challenging task even in normal circumstances, with specialist techniques employed for different types of material, the skill and attention to detail required is very high in order to protect people from the harmful mineral. When asked to carry out asbestos removal from the outside of tower blocks, the challenge becomes even greater, with meticulous planning and a higher than normal level of health and safety considerations to be made.

As part of a major improvement plan across a Southampton social housing estate, Merryhill was invited to carry out the asbestos removal contract involving three separate tower blocks. The Dumbledon, Meredith and Hightown towers on the Thornhill estate were originally constructed in the 1950s/60s and are of an identical design. The regeneration scheme will see each of the blocks receiving a range of energy-saving improvements, including new windows, heating systems managed by tenants, coloured external wall insulation, new roofs and enclosed balconies. ECL Contracts, the facades division of British Gas is managing the project and invited Merryhill to tender for the asbestos removal element of the project.

After thorough surveys had been commissioned prior to the works commencing, asbestos was found to be present in a number of different areas across the Thornhill Towers, including external cladding and balcony panels.

Removing each of the different types of panel was a challenge as everything had to be removed from the outside and at height. All of the towers were 14 storeys high and the only means of access was by mast climbers which had been set up around each building.

Both the cladding and balcony panels were carefully removed and suitably wrapped in 1000-gauge polythene, sealed tight and stacked before being brought down to the crash deck and placed on a pallet. From here, the panels were lifted by telehandler and stored in locked asbestos skips before being transited to landfill. Because of the number of panels being removed, Merryhill had to keep a close monitor of the adjacent properties to ensure tenants did not open any windows for the duration of the works. Although asbestos cement is a relatively low risk material and the removal method is done under wet conditions to minimise any fibre release, the additional protection from keeping windows closed during the works was felt a necessary additional precaution.

Overall, the project was a resounding success with all the asbestos removed from the exterior of each of the towers. Work has now begun on transforming the buildings to improve their energy efficiency, safe in the knowledge that all of the external asbestos has now been removed.