McMahon Services was engaged by construction manager Coombs Barei to undertake the safe removal of over 12,000 square metres of asbestos roof sheeting from the Symbion Pharmaceutical warehouse in Underdale, South Australia.
Completed over a seven month period, the saw-tooth warehouse consisted of 13 individual bays that required careful programming, in order to complete the remediation in a staged approach. To ensure minimal disruption to the fully operational warehouse during normal working hours, the asbestos removal works were undertaken every third weekend throughout the duration of the project. Not only did this ensure the safety of warehouse personnel, it also provided an asbestos free work zone for the upcoming working week, enabling other trades to continue their works safely.
McMahon Services provided an innovative solution for the client. An asbestos buffer wall was constructed between the bay sections, completely sealing off the asbestos work zone from the operational warehouse, and allowing the facility to continue to operate. The 200 metre lined stud wall was erected, dismantled and re-erected for each of the 13 work zones throughout the project.
On the Monday morning following the weekend asbestos removal, the asbestos contaminated waste would be removed and disposed of into a certified landfill, before a thorough cleaning and decontamination process would commence. This included detailed vacuuming and wet wiping of all surfaces.
Following decontamination, the reinstatement works could be completed for that particular bay including the installation of safety mesh, 50 millimetre foil backed insulation blanket, True Oak Zincalume roof sheeting, external Colourbond wall cladding, box gutters and rotary vents. During the early phase of the project, all key stakeholders identified the need to further strengthen the roof structure.
Cross bracing across the purlins was installed, and this ultimately increased the cyclone rating of the building. It was also discovered that the external lighting needed to be upgraded to increase security at the warehouse.
McMahon Services utilised in-house plant and equipment on the project including a 220 tonne crane with fly jib, 45 foot all-terrain scissor lift and an 80 foot straight boom for access over garden beds and other obstructions during recladding works. Four electric scissor lifts were used inside the building as diesel powered equipment was unsuitable due to the fumes that this equipment would have generated.
