Wapping boat yard cladding replacement
Overview
- Client: SW Bruce and Co Ltd
- Project Value: £1.1m
- Dates: Feb 24 - Mar 24
GPS MACS conducted an inspection of the cladding system at 78 - 80 Wapping High St, which is the Thames River Police Boatyard. The cladding panels were installed prior to 1973 when the boatyard was opened, and overall, the installation was found to be run down and aged. However, it has lasted for longer than the forecast lifecycle of materials used for these applications, within these climatic conditions.
Two panels had fallen from the south elevation into the river. Also, we identified numerous panels where the weather strips between panels had either been dislodged or fallen from position. GPS MACS were commissioned to carry out replacement works to the south elevation system.
Wapping sits on the north bank of the river Thames in the borough of Tower Hamlets in east London. Conveniently Wapping is east of Tower bridge making towage of crane barges to site safer and reducing operational risks.
The biggest challenge faced on this project was the condition of the structure that we had to install the panels on, after years of decay the structure was rotting and the timber frame needed replacing in order to facilitate installing the new panels.
We were appointed on the project as the marine contractor:
Mobilisation of barge
Dismantle and dispose of existing damaged area on south elevation
Remove existing panels to 2 x panels, analyse materials, dismantle subframe and supports
Installation and commissioning of the following:
Install2 units of subframe bracketry
Install 2 no. of facia panels
Install 2no. of soffit details
Install 20 no. of weather strips
General marine operations including:
Control measures for operating marine plant
Lifting operations from barges
Site (barge) access via personnel vessels
Towage / Movement of barges for mobilisation / demobilisation
Towage / Movement of barges within the site specific boundaries
Mooring / Spudding of crane barges
Crane barge general operations
Mooring of supply barges and vessels
Emergency procedures
Working over water safe working principles
General vessel movements within the Port of London Authority (PLA) channels
Project delivery
We were employed as the marine contractor with overall responsibility for the safe and effective delivery of the marine works on the site.
Engineering
Stability analysis for the barges
Planned, supervised, and carried out all lifting operations on site.
Setting out and surveying, drawings, coordinating works and planning of operations
Post installation inspection and testing ensuring no water penetration.
Marine Logistics
Planned, supervised and carried out mobilisation of all marine plant to site. Including crane barge.
Construction
Install subframe bracketry
Install Facia panels
Install Soffit
Install weather strips
Demolition
Removal of existing panels
Dismantle subframe and supports
