The Brief
We were invited to tender for this soft strip project due to our capacity to meet the client’s incredibly tight timescales.
The requirement was to attend site on the week of enquiry, estimate the demolition, door openings and propping phase, and make provisions to start the following Monday morning. All work had to be completed in just two weeks, ready for the first phase of the internal build.
Our soft strip specialists estimated and organised the works within three days – including the creation of RAMS site documentation – ensuring the project could start on the specified date.
Key project challenges
With only two weeks to complete what would usually be a three-week programme, we overcame this barrier by working late and over weekends, ensuring complete efficiency under strict instructions.
The plan was executed by our operatives and management team to the client’s schedule – proving that teamwork is paramount in a strict timescale project.
Soft strip and building services provided
This complex and high-pressured soft strip and minor structural alternation project encompassed a wide range of our skills and facilities, including:
- Soft Strip all internal non-structural walls (block, plasterboard and timber)
- Reduction of mezzanine floor
- Removal of 1200m2 of carpet tiles
- All high-level M&E
- All high-level ducting
- Ventilation plant
- 2 x external openings for fire escapes including structural propping
- 7 x external openings for ducting including structural propping
- Skips and Waste services supplied by our sister company Foxhall Environmental
- Making good the new external doorways
- New walkway formations
- Concrete infills within new doorway openings
- Re-levelling sunken block paving to the main entrance
In addition to our RAMs documentation, we also provided a site file with daily updates and working permits, and digital waste notes on the day of disposal.
How we did it
In order to meet the tight schedule, we operated two teams, working systematically, all with the following qualifications at a minimum:
- CSCS Labourer Card
- Manual Handling
- Working at Height
- Asbestos Cat B
- Asbestos Medical
- Face Fit Test
Each of the two teams also had a staff member present at all times, with these additional skills and certifications:
- PASMA
- MEWP
- First Aid at Work
- CSCS – Supervisor Card
To reduce vehicle miles, all waste was taken to a local transfer station by our associates at Foxhall Environmental, who provided the waste consignment notes to the client.
Project results
The project was completed on time to a satisfactory standard, and our operatives passed a Pure Gym site inspection with zero negative marks against the work – with the client commenting: “I can’t fault you on any of your processes, which is very rare for a demolition phase”.
Following the provision of our soft strip services for this new Pure Gym in Hull, we’re now looking forward to partnering with the client on further projects in the north of England.
