Associated Steel Window Services has completed two demanding phases of work in refurbishing the exterior facades to the ASOS premises in Watford.
The property, which dates from late 1990’s, not only required re-glazing and extensive mastic renewal and replacement to its original aluminium curtain walling system, but the articulated, stepped and brise soleil structure also presented real logistical challenges for ASWS, in terms of access and the very tight programme timetable.
ASWS was initially engaged to carry out a full survey of the property’s curtain walling, to determine its general condition, highlighting specific areas of damage and deterioration, as well as any glazing units which might require replacement. This included a full external survey using MEWPS and photography. The company was then awarded the contract for the first phase of work under competitive tender, which addressed the whole building envelope across all elevations and roof works.
Its team of twelve operatives carried out the repairs using multiple types of access equipment, including scissor lifts, HGV mounted Broncos and other types of MEWPS, including the specialist Spider equipment, which is designed to work at heights in narrow areas that normal access equipment wouldn’t be able to operate in. This required the ASWS team to be specifically trained in IPAF 1b to be able to operate the spiders. The largest IG unit fitted was a 3m long by 2m high, weighing over 300kg.
Kris Bennell, Contracts Director for ASWS, explained: “Aside from having carried out past projects for ISG, we were awarded the ASOS contract on the basis of our overall capabilities and being able to show the ability to work in challenging circumstances as well as to tight programmes.
“While we have extensive experience of renovating different types of metal window – from the earliest wrought iron and steel windows, through to contemporary aluminium systems – access issues were a major element to this job: involving getting to different heights, dealing with the variable ground conditions, the various weights of machine, and employing crane mounted glazing machines.”
, Dragos Caraimaneanu, project manager for main contractor ISG added: “This was a very demanding job where we were completing the full Cat. A and Cat. B fit out on behalf of ASOS.”
ASWS was duly awarded the second phase of the project, which addressed the next building that ASOS took possession of next door in Leavesden Park.
asws.co.uk
