Latest Project - Very Big Things

I though we'd have some fun with Movie Maker today.  As part of our extensive range of services, we are often asked to monitor structures for movement or damage.  

Usually this is over a long period of time, but sometimes it it requires instant feedback.  The video below gives you a glimpse into our world.



 
Turn on sound for the full effect - and no this is a sound effect not the bridge, it was fine.

Friday Fun - Oh please, yes!

It is sad that some of these ideas are never adopted, this appeals on so many levels.

 

If you ask questions like this you get answers like this bridge, conclusion?  

Ask more questions!

Safety can be sensible

So safe people, how about this sign?  Sometimes things can get a little too complicated isn't it nice when somebody simplifies things.

There is a serious message here.  

Delivering a safety message or creating systems for people to use?

Need help simplifying your safety messages?

Call Up and Under for safety consultancy, or just to have a common sense chat. 

Tel: 01270 589615

Friday Fun - Building Bridges

Thanks to Cemex for this one.

If only it was that simple. Everyone knows you should have wheel chocks to stop the driver reversing over the edge. Pah, totally unrealistic ;o)

Latest Project - Inspection Clip-ped

It sometimes happens that we have our confined spaces and rope access skills tested on the same project.  The principal inspection of Pen Y Clip Viaduct was one such occasion.

We discover we have an engineer with an art A level

Firstly we had to inspect the over 100 voids per span requiring the engineers to employ confined spaces techniques to safely access all section of the structure.

On the inside

Then it gets more visually exciting with the inspection of the piers using rope access techniques.  This reduced the amount of traffic management required to a minimum thus causing minimum inconvenience to the road users.

Clever rope-work brings all elements within touching distance

We are fortunate to have a team of experienced engineers with a host of access skills, giving our clients the best of all worlds.

Can we help you? call 01270 589615

Transportation Consultants Directory Published

This week see the publication of the 2013 Consultants Directory compiled by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and we are please to have risen 6 places in the table of 'companies ranked by turnover' to 84th place.

This shows continued support from our existing clients and a growth in new clients which is especially pleasing in the tough trading environment many are reporting.

To the hundreds of individuals and companies that value and trust our services we would like to say thank you.  we look forward to working with you, and perhaps a few more, over the next year.  However large we become you can be assured of our continued personal attention.

The Directory is an interesting read with a perspective on various aspects of the industry delivered by leading players in the industry.

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

5

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

Latest Project - Culverts and Bridges

A recent project demonstrated the versitility of the Up and Under Inspection offering.  The works included the requirement for engineers trained in confined space working to undertake principal inspections of two culverts. 

Following on from this the same team was able to undertake the inspection of a single span underbridge and a 12 span viaduct, this time utilising a MEWP which - you guessed it - they were also qualified to use.

So what if they needed to use rope access to get to some parts of the structure - yes right again - they could have done that oh and a pontoon for inspection over water - got it covered.

So what we are saying is that we can offer you a comprehensive inspection package with Engineers with a wealth of professional and technical experience.

So what can we help you with? Inspection, Testing, Investigation?  Problem structures?
Contact us on 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

More Innovation - Remote Inspection of Culverts

Although we are convinced, based on 26 years of experience, that a close quarter inspection by an experienced engineer is the best way to determine the condition of a structure. There are, however, times when this is either not safe or is impractical.

Our latest innovation gets around the problem often suffered when using CCTV; that being that conventional crawlers don't deal with invert obstructions or deep water very well.

Does this look like it might help?



Want to know more? Call us 01270 589615

Friday fun

That time of the week again, I thought you'd like to see this ;o)

Latest Project - Structure Investigation

As you know we are the place to come to when you have a puzzling problem.  And so it was with a recent project.  "We want to know why our parapet posts are swelling" 

There were a list of likely causes suggested including internal gas pressure, fabrication errors or water in the posts.  Our team prepared a plan to safely investigate the issue, including for the risk of drilling into a gas filled vessel.

Paint thickness measurment on site

The works, undertaken overnight, included air sampling and the use of video recorded borescope examination.

The findings were reported to the client with the likely cause being less exotic than many postulated by others - but then isn't that often the case.

If you need a structure examined to determine the cause of a defect, as part of an assessment exercise or event to prepare 'as built' drawings Contact us 01270 589615

Safety Update - Dubious Advice

I recently saw this photo posted on Facebook,

It's not true! specially in our line of business

Seriously, if you want safety advice give us a call.

Tel: 01270 589615

Project Report - Great River Ouse Bridge

Out in the dark again, I am sure some of our guys are developing echo location and the ability to hang upside down by their feet ............ actually ;o)

Today's project report is a short one about a pretty large Principal Inspection.  It included a delamation (hammer tap) survey and concrete testing of the 7 span Great River Ouse Bridge near King’s Lynn for Atkins.

Hammer testing all surfaces

The testing comprised 8 No. test panels to the soffit and 4 panels to each of two piers.  We chose to use an underbridge unit, as the most effective means of gaining access to the soffit above the river and waterlogged spans.

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 

Project News - Hamble Bridge

Working with Enterprise Mouchel we recently completed the inspection of the Hamble Bridge on the M27, near Southampton.  Our team of engineers used industrial rope access techniques to complete a visual inspection and paint inspection in accordance with Highways Agency Standards BD63/07 and BD87/05.

 

Much of the structure had to be accessed using aid climbing techniques.  During the works we had a safety boat in attendance.

In addition to the above water works we also undertook a diving inspection of the two central piers.

Cooperation is te key to successful completion of this type of project.  We have a number of landmark stucture projects either ongoing or in preparation, follow us here or on facebook to keep up with all of the latest news.

Safety Update - Pigeon Poo

Yes, today we thought we'd take the tone right down and talk cr*p.

Pigeon droppings cause unsightly mess, damage to building materials and carry a range of difficult to spell diseases.

Five pigeon poo facts:

1. Assuming a 5 year lifespan (for feral pigeons, lofted ones can live for 30) a typical pigeon produces approximately 37kg of poo in its life, that's quite a pile.
2. Pigeon chicks (or Squabs as they are more correctly known) have to be taken to a wildlife rehabilitation centre - by law - if they are removed from their nest.
3. The following diseases can be contracted from the droppings:
1. Histoplasmosis,
2. Cryptococcosis,
3. Psittacosis
4. A breeding pair of pigeons can lay and rear two eggs up to 8 times per year.
5. Historically the droppings were prized as fertilizer, with guards being posted at the entrances to coops. In the 16th centuary Saltpeter for the manufacture of gunpowder was derived from it - topical link.

With all that stacked against you - literally in some cases - you may need some help.  Our contracts team are experienced in the removal of the droppings and the installation of control measures including spikes and netting.

Do you have a cr ppy job that needs dealing with? Info:
www.pigeonpoo.co.uk
or
contact us 01270 589615