Client
Celtic Trade Parc
Photographer
Angela Gidden
Location
Swansea, South Wales
Project Value
£
Year
2024
Celtic Trade Parc
Remedial, rectifying, reinforcing – A much-needed upgrade of the RAAC ceilings in all units at Celtic Trade Park, Swansea where RAAC used in the ceilings were found to have potential structural weaknesses, necessitating urgent remedial action by ASR. This was an interesting project for ASR due to its retro-engineering aspects and the critical ‘fix’ required and working at speed to make a cluster of business units safe, sustainable and free from structural issues for many years to come.
Steel structures and suspended planks
Working closely with the client structural engineers regularly monitored the performance of the existing RAAC structure. Consequently, the structure required upgrading such that the building housing a total of 10 industrial units remained open and functional whilst works were completed. All works were managed by ASR Projects Site Manager John Hardy.
ASR Projects carried out an initial survey throughout all 10 units identifying all dimensions between steel structures and RAAC planks suspended across it. Structural engineers specified a supporting system which fastened to the existing steel structure using high tension bolts and heavy gauge steel angle which secured a Comflor 80 galvanised sheet against the RAAC planking – a secure structural solution that’s safer, better, and lasting.
So, what is RAAC?
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight form of concrete which was primarily used in the construction of roofs and sometimes for walls and floors. Its lifespan of 30 years and its structural value is much lower than todays reinforced concrete and is susceptible to serious failure especially when exposed to moisture. It was commonly used between the 1950’s and 1990’s.
Heights and hole makers
The ASR team are very often faced with challenges, some of which are greater than others. Our main challenge on this project was to operate safely at a height of 6-7metres using scaffold towers and scissor lifts, handling heavy angle and Comflor 80 sheet plus an installation team. We identified a safe working load to include tools, angle and sheet, magnetic drills and hand tools. Our supply base yielded a quick and efficient power tool solution. “Hole Maker Technologies” from FES (Fastener Engineering Supplies LTD) visited the site, gave a technical demonstration of self-drilling bits and hole finishing using their propriety taps, drills and reamers. We embraced the technology completely and rapidly found our cycle time reduced from conventional approaches using a usual power and hand tool approach.
Out of bounds but pushing boundaries
Progression through the units was constrained by a majority of units housing stock shelving systems with a corridor between shelves of 860mm wide. All team members were trained to the current IPAF and PASMA and certificated before the project commenced. So as not to impede the operation of stock being picked from internet orders for clients such as Amazon we trained members of the team in scan and pick so they could if requested by warehouse operatives get stock from the areas we were working in.
One of the units a community gymnasium dictated that we could only work in a set period given the gyms usage by professional gymnasts. All materials and hired access equipment had to arrive on first day and be clear with the 4-week period.
We pushed boundaries of Speedy Hire technical services to the maximum as each workspace presented different challenges around height, access and material handling – an efficient, effective approach engineered for all situations.
