Latest Project - Getting Ready for Summer

When we say we work all over the UK we mean it!  Today’s project has a bit of summer promise and a hint of showbiz glamour.

The weather will be better for the holidays

Working with Cormac Solutions, for Cornwall Council, we recently undertook inspections of a range of retaining walls around harbours and beaches.  The council are obviously being proactive in ensuring that we all have safe and enjoyable holidays this summer.

The second part of the project is where the showbiz glamour comes in, no not our team of engineers, attractive as they might be, but the footbridge we were tasked with inspecting was built on Challenge Anneka back in 1991 - for those of a certain age that will bring up memories of helicopters and cat suits, but we better not go there!

It may have Challenged Anneka............. ;o)

Using industrial rope access our engineers - and that is what they are, with qualifications and everything - carried out a detailed, hands on inspection of the whole structure, later preparing a report of their findings. And best of all we were able to keep the bridge largely open throughout the works.

So Cornwall is ready to receive visitors and we have another happy customer - want to join them? Call 01270 58961

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Latest Project - Premier League

I am sorry we have missed a couple of project posts because of how busy we have been with work and our charity commitments, but we have a good one for you today.

Last chance to see ......

Sponsors love to see their logos prominently displayed on TV.  However, when the deal comes to an end, a location that may be prominent, can also be tricky to get at to remove the signs.

Disconnect.......

And remove.

 As you can imagine that is not a problem for our contracting team, so recently we paid a visit to Stoke City's ground to remove a few signs.  Our activities were probably the most exciting thing that the Britannia Stadium had seen all season - oops controversial.  

Whatever your team colours I am sure you will appreciate the photos.

I think we have a fan in the ranks

Got an access problem, installing or removing give us a call 01270 589615 or email for a quote.

Latest Project Report - Welsh Links

Two interesting projects in Wales this week:

The first is the inspection of an arch bridge, to establish its condition. Arches are can be susceptible to extremes of weather so examinations in spring are useful to detect deterioration caused by frost or heavy rain.



Measuring an area of pointing loss

The second project was an inspection for assessment, the principal information required was the thickness of the beam flanges supporting the jack arches which in turn support the deck. In this type of construction the bricks forming the jack arch sit directly on the lower beam flange making a caliper measurement impractical.

Measuring the thickness of the beam flange

To get around this problem we use ultra-sonic thickness measurement. This gives us accurate measurement of the remaining flange and has the bonus that with the right equipment it will measure through existing coatings.

We are interested to discuss your needs in regard to bridge asset management.  Please contact us 01270 589615

Recent Projects - Keeping Warm

We were recently asked to combine our rope access skills and our fabrication nouse to solve a clients problem. Thermal movement had led to some slippage of the lagging and it’s protection in a steam generation plant. Working on live equipment we installed new lagging and purpose made covers to bridge the gaps.

Drilling newly fabricated covers

 The client was particularly pleased that the works were undertaken without significant disruption to the plants operations.

Installing new covers with power rivetters

 We have a range of experience of working in and around power plants including:

•  Pipe lagging
• Surface cleaning
• Painting
• Cladding repairs

 If you want to discuss a project please contact us 01270 589615

Latest Project - Waterloo

No, not the battle, the ABBA song, or even the sunset, it's the Bridge we are talking about today.  Bridges over the thames hold a special place in our hearts at Up and Under. 

The inspection of Battersea Bridge in 1988 was our first and since then we have undertake dozens of projects on 15 of the road crossings on the tidal Thames in the centre of London.

Correct Bridge....... Check!

They are all special in their own way, either because of their design or because of a feature of the particular project, but most of us enjoy the time in the spotlight that Tower bridge commands.  Anyway, back to today's story:

This job comprised the inspection of the internal parts of the piers.  We collected a range of condition and dimensional data in order to prepare a report for our client. 

It is essential everyone knows what they are doing here!

The project relied on a wide range of our skills.  Working on the Thames requires consideration of tides, arrangement of safety boats and liaison with the Port of London, with whom we have an excellent, long standing relationship.

Mucky but still smiling

Internally we needed a carefully devised combination of confined spaces and rope access techniques plus bridge engineering expertise to meet the technical and safety elements of the brief.

This is the type of job where we excel and we will be back in London very soon to examine another landmark.

Rope access or confined spaces, inspection or maintenance contact us 01270 589615

Recent Projects - Keeping Coffee Safe

After a few weeks of bridges, we have a building for you today.

A recent problem which faced not only the Up and Under specialist access team, but also the customers of a well know coffee shop chain was the spalling of concrete from a building in Reading, Berkshire (not what you want landing in your cappuccino).


 The temporary solution (until funds could be allocated to carry out a full concrete repair) was to protect the face using a fine mesh safety netting to protect the building. Of course the coffee shop did not wish to close and the owner didn’t want to cover the building with expensive scaffolding.

The solution was the use of rope access techniques although, as you can see, Andy had someone looking over his shoulder most of the time.

Look out Andy, you have an admirer

Up and Under (Specialist Contracts) provide many building maintenance solutions and dont miss our new web site www.pigeonpoo.co.uk

Latest Project - M5 Motorway Inspections

Being access specialists doesn't mean we always go for the most exciting means of carrying out an inspection.

On the contrary we select the most appropriate means of access, giving the client the best value solution.  Recently while conducting a hammer tap and visual surveys of the 4 side spans of 2 I/C bridges on the M5 we emplyed the most appropriate means  which was

Scaffold Tower

Oh yes and we needed some

Rope Access

This bridge is interesting in that it has been strengthened using bonded steel plates; these were also included in the inspection.

We chose rope access to undertake the inspection of the soffit above the revetment, while tower scaffolding was selected, for its efficiency, in the areas of the soffit between the bottom of the revetment and the pier.  Having a multi skilled team of inspection engineers made this switch between techniques practical and efficient.

The works were completed by Kev, Darren, Rob and Stuart to te satisfaction of all concerned.

For complete solutions, rope access, confined space, conventional or access over water, contact us 01270 589615 

Latest Project News - Tunnels with Towers

We recently completed the inspection of the ventilation towers to the Tyne Tunnel.  Conventional rope access was preceeded by the application of centuries old technology to get ropes up and over the rim of the the ventilation towers, the highest being over 40m high.

Big!

 The inspection, carried out by our engineers, was completed in accordance with Highways Agency Standard BD63/07.

Getting hands on

The methods used ensured that we we were able to access all areas of towers with no need for installation of any fixings/anchors.

Best off all the tunnel remained open to traffic throughout these works.

Inspections, testing or investigations our award winning team will find a solution that works for you, contact us  01270 589615

Bridge Inspection for Mouchel

We recently completed the inspection of two structures for Mouchels.  Our engineers completed the inspection using rope access techniques and the use of our award winning pontoon system to gain access to all parts of the structures.

In addition to inspection the job involved a range of concrete testing including:

• taking samples for chloride ion content analysis,
• cover survey,
• half cell measurements,
• core sampling for compressive and cube strength determination
• carbonation tests.

We undertake a range of Bridge Inspection and Maintenance if you think we can help get in touch

CPD Feedback

The first CPD event of Andy's 2012/13 tour happened last night and it looks like it got off to a great start.  One person said " This is my first ICE event, I was absolutely blown away by your talk, excellent!"  This made the drive down and back through torrential downpours worthwhile.  There are further events in November and January at various locations around the UK.

Feedback

If you want more information or to book a CPD presentation see this link for details.

Free CPD Seminars

We are once again offering a range of lunch time CPD seminars to professionals and trainees in the construction, maintenance and asset management industries.  If you want us to present at your office or site please contact us.

Some of the subject matter

Those of you who have attended our talks in the past know that they are not thinly veiled sales pitches.  They are packed with useful practical information.  They typically last 30 minutes plus as much time as you need for questions.

Andy in full flow

You want more info click here

Weekend Volunteering

Two members of the Up and Under team spent the weekend at the Conway Centre on Anglesey assisting with adventure activities over the weekend.

One spent two days with groups walking in the Glyders.  One day was graced with near perfect weather conditions.  The views from Tryfan were exceptional, especially when nearby Glyder fach was shrouded in tumbling cloud.

The other team member spent two days coastal traversing, assisting the centre instructor to safely facilitate two groups of ten youngsters in climbing and open water swimming activities around the dramatic coastline of Holy Island.

We have supported less well off youngsters in attending this centre for a number of years and this type of interaction helps us to understand both the needs of, and the benefits to, the young people we help.

On Saturday evening another 100 people got to have their own Olympic Torch moment when once more Andy's Torch did the rounds.  For some this was the highlight of another fantastic weekend at the Conway Centre.

Transportation Consultants

Lost amongst all of the Olympics and holidays was the CIHT Consultants Directory where Up and Under found themselves ranked 77th out of 149 consultantants offering transportation related services.  Although we were not able to compete with the Atkins, Arups and WSPs (who were ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively) we were well placed against many other well known names in the industry .

We have continued to grow the range of services to both structure owners and other consultancies.  We carry a range of qualifications and accreditations specific to transport related asset management.

Whether it is conventional inspections or works requiring specialist access we are always happy to help. Give us a call 01270 589615.  We are also interested in export partnership arrangements.

Grant's Leap of Faith



Beautiful workspaces created by Zenith Interior Contracts

Grant Williams, Director at Up and Under (Specialist Contracts) Ltd, comes from the world of ceiling tiles, glass partitions and exquisite joinery provided by Zenith Interiors Contracts - the company he founded, which is now part of the Up and Under Group.


The walk to work

Here though, he shows he has no fear of the outdoors by joining his Specialist Contracts team on a project to remove potentially dangerous loose material off a disused railway viaduct.



It doesn't look too high..........

Until you look at it like this!

A few recent projects

Do any of these look like a problem you have?  Problem solved!

In the footsteps of Brunel

Up and Under are this week carrying out inspection works on sections of Brunel's masterpiece of railway engineering the Saltash Bridge. As you can see from the photograph the view are good.

We are carrying out a visual condition survey of a number of the bridge elements as part of a routine maintenance programme.

This is typical ofthe type of work we do and we would be happy to discuss any similar projects that you have. We are just as happy working on less high profile structures ;o)