Specialists Awards 2012 JUDGES’ COMMENT


“A very special, almost unique, hazardous event, where fast and highly technical response and management still achieved high levels of environmental performance”


Left: Cuddy’s skilled excavator operatives cut away at the 90 m x 90 m three-portal structure, while the tyre fl ock continued to smoulder and the building became increasingly unstable


Project Excellence: Public Sector WINNER CUDDY GROUP


In June 2011, a vast fi re broke out at the former Mettoys factory in Fforestfach, Swansea. The 90 m x 90 m industrial unit stored approximately 5,000 tonnes of tyre fl ock (a by-product of tyre recycling), so the blaze was of enormous proportions. The fi re could not be


fully extinguished without dismantling the unit, so the local fi re and rescue service called on demolition contractor Cuddy. Within only a couple of hours of


receiving the call, a 10-man team was quickly sourced to assist the fi re and rescue services, Swansea City Council, the Environment Agency and police. The demolition plan was


thoroughly but quickly agreed by all stakeholders and the emergency operation commenced within an hour of the parties coming together. Method statements were written on site and were collectively risk-assessed to determine the most eff ective way forward. Over the course of the


58 | 5 April2012


next 10 days, method statements were adapted and updated on a daily basis as the project and its circumstances evolved. A demolition engineer and


commanding fi re offi cer helped to determine the safest point of entry to the increasingly unstable building. Using a Cat 330 long-reach excavator, the building’s asbestos-containing roof was allowed to collapse. To minimise the amount of airborne asbestos, continuous water jets doused the air around the roof and debris. The Environment Agency


continuously monitored the air and water quality. Dams were built to collect water spilling from the site to enable it to be re-used so that the local water supply was not compromised. A Cat 966 with loading shovel


and 30-tonne and 20-tonne Hyundai excavators were then used to remove burning rubber and fully immersing each shovel- load into 30 cu m water tanks.


FOCUS MIKE CUDDY


Cuddy Group managing director Mike Cuddy recalls the event: “Cuddy Group’s demolition experts were tasked with demolishing the building while, at the same time, removing the tyre flock which was still alight. With experience of safely demolishing fire-damaged buildings, Cuddy has developed an exceptional emergency skillset and specialist capabilities. “As the fire was still live, the


operation presented an unparalleled level of complexity and potential danger. However, Cuddy’s unswerving effort to ensure a collaborative, organised and methodical approach meant the major incident could be resolved quickly and safely. “A finely tuned Cuddy command


team, working in partnership with other agencies, was directed with military precision by Cuddy’s most senior demolition expert Dave Cobern”.


www.cnplus.co.uk


FINALISTS HIGHLY COMMENDED:


BOURNE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CEMENTATION SKANSKA


THE ALUMET GROUP DDS DEMOLITION GALGLASS GALLDRIS CONSTRUCTION WASTE PLAN SOLUTIONS WILO UK


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