Latest Project - A stitch in time.........

This week it is a report from our contracts division.  That well known phrase "a stitch in time saves nine" is especially applicable to retaining wall alongside fast flowing water.  We have seen £1,500 repointing projects become £150,000 reconstruction jobs.

Before

After

Recently we were commissioned by a long standing client to do some wall maintenance ahead of the winter, here are some of the results.  It is never going to look like a new wall, but a measure of integrity has been restored.

Before

After

When budgets allow a complete repoint is probably on the cards, but now the wall looks like it will survive the winter.

Tidy

Latest Project - Building in tricky positions

Building a 300 x 300 x 1500 concrete column sounds like a straightforward job for any builder. So why call Up and Under?  

Foundation cast on top of blinding concrete with formwork in place for the column

Well this particular column is in a cave - designed to support the roof - at the bottom of a 20m cliff, in a beauty spot.

The concrete column, injection pointed to the roof

All the materials had to be transported along a narrow track, concrete had to be mixed and lowered down the cliff face before being poured into the formwork.  When the shutters were struck the column was faced with locally sourced stone.

Stone clad, with ground restored

Need a problem solving?  call us 01270 589615.

Project Report - Pigeon Poo

It is a problem, messy, smelly and it carries disease so it has to be dealt with.

If you have these:

You'll have this:

Fortunately we are able to offer our clients a solution that includes cleaning, removal, safe disposal of the waste and installation of deterrents and nets.

Cleaning the Bridge

...and the foot-ways below

Using cherry pickers for access

Installing spikes starts with the glue

multiple rows are required

Keep out Pigeons

Need more help visit our dedicated web site www.pigeonpoo.co.uk

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 Projects - Beautiful Interiors

For the fourth year running Up and Under Interiors are undertaking refurbishment works at an internationally respected medical research unit in Liverpool. The new offices and laboratories form part of a planned investment project. We are please that the quality and value we offer to this prestigious client means that we have been asked to complete more works this year.

On a recent site visit with Contracts Director Grant Williams, Andy, Group MD saw the scope of the construction process from start - removal of wall and existing services - to finish - newly plastered walls, suspended ceiling and beautiful glass partitioned offices.



Before



After



If you, like Andy, want your working environment transformed in this way, contact Grant on 01270 589615

Web site



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

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

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

Masonry Repairs to Railway Viaduct

Up and Under (Specialist Contracts) recently completed a repair contract on a masonry viaduct next to the Helmshore Textile Museum between Haslingden and Ramsbottom in Lancashire.  This type of safe work at height is routine for our Contracts Division and we deal with all of the safety and environmental paperwork, if required.

Mortar injection for deep joints

The works included:

• Vegetation removal
• Joint raking
• Re-pointing
• Masonry replacement

Most of the works were undertaken by our skilled team members using rope access to minimise cost and inconnvenience.

Areas prepared for masonry replacement

We are happy to discuss your repair and maintenance needs whether specialist access or routine.

Contact us for a quote, or advice.

Helping Amey Keep Sheffield Running

 We recently completed two culvert condition surveys for Amey as part of their Sheffield PFI contract.  Up and Under are a long standing supplier to Amey of a range of services including speciailst access inspection investigation and testing services.

This job  involved the inspection of two culverts to determine their condition plus gathering data to allow the highway load capacity to be assessed.  Inspecting these hidden parts of the transport network is essential to its effective and safe operation. 

As you see, it is not an easy place to work, but with the right team, training and equipment we are able to undertake the works safely and professionally.

If you need culverts inspecting or repairing we are happy to discuss your needs. Our services include:

• Inspection
• Training
• Repairs
• Survey
• Dimensional checks
• Intrusive investigation 
• Safety escort
• Rescue services

Confined spaces, over water or rope access call 01270 589615

 

 

 

 

Legislation Update - Regulations to be removed

In May we advised you that the Government were conducting a review of Health and Safety regulation, specifically looking at the removal of 14 sets of H&S regulations which were considered redundant. These include Construction (Head Protection) Regulations and the Notification of Conventional Tower Crane Regulations. Consultation closed on 4th July and on 22nd August, HSE concluded that 13 of the regulations should be abolished, with a target abolition date of April 2013.

We'll keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Meanwhile if you have a safety question that you think we can help with contact us

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

Up and Under Group Asset Management Success

The Up and Under Group were named the 16th largest UK Consultant in list of "Top Firms in Facilities/Asset Management" in the 2012 NCE Consultants File.

keeping good company

This largely reflects our sucess in the areas of highway and rail bridge inspection and maintenance projects.  Other projects include condition based asset management projects for building stocks and even a project to monitor the condition of statues, flagpoles and chimneys for a client.  It isn't often that coming face to face with a gargoyle leads to success.

We go way beyond inspections so if you want a reliable asset management partner call us on 01270 589615 or visit www.upandundergroup.com.

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!