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MARCH-APRIL 2014
SITE REPORT
AR Demolition Ltd were approached by the
Murphy Group to tender for the Kings Cross
project following Director Richard Dolman’s
presentation to the IDE on the demolition of
space deck roofs. Richard made the decision
to share his experience in order to warn and
inform the wider demolition community of
the unexpected dangers of decommissioning
space deck roof systems.
The removal of the space deck roof had to
be undertaken in nine separate phases. This
allowed continued operation of the station
during the deconstruction works. Fencing
and hoardings were erected to keep the public
safe, and public access and egress were clearly
defined. Temporary hoarding was erected to
divide the site into East and West areas. The
first phase was the removal of the Eastern area
and orientated south to north extending from
the grade 1 listed façade.
A support system was commissioned by
AR Demolition Ltd from an independent
structural engineer, who designed and
implemented the plans for the deconstruction
of the space deck roof and associated
structures. The support system consisted of an
array of braced props that were installed prior
to any physical demolition and the system
was installed beneath the space deck, allowing
it to be adjusted to take the load while the
separation was taking place.
The support system was functioning for a
number of weeks and was routinely monitored
and inspected to ensure its continued safe
function. Single and twin scaffold poles (48.4
x 4. mm (S235)) were erected at third points
under the 10.8 m (35.5 ft) span, splitting the
spans into 3.6 m (12 ft) bays. The bases of the
scaffold poles were fitted with adjustable screw
jacks that were hand tightened as the works
proceeded.
Concrete ballast/kentledge blocks were
located at ground level with cast- in lifting
hooks/eyes. The ballast blocks were fitted
project managers, site managers, structural
engineers and, where appropriate, client
staff. All methodology and sequencing was
undertaken in line with current legislation,
best practices and BS 6187 2012 reference
Demolition Guidance, Approved Codes of
Practice and notes etc.
