Saint Gobain demolition in Derby
More than two years after the closure of Saint-Gobain Pipelines’ (SGP) Staveley Works in Derbyshire, a complex dismantling process is underway to remove foundry buildings that have dominated the local skyline for up to 300 years.
Project and construction design management co-ordinator RVA has been called in to supervise the substantial project, which involves asbestos removal, demolition and the clearance of 30 multifaceted buildings on the site of a former coalmine.
The project requires specialist health and safety expertise given a myriad of hurdles on the centuries-old industrial site. RVA, working with contractor Masterton Demolition, is in some cases working with only 18th century drawings of limited standard.
As well as working under a rigorously imposed health and safety regime, RVA has also devised a ‘production line’ salvage system to reclaim timber, plastic and scrap metal from the former cast iron foundry. The unique method, more akin to an engineering solution than usual demolition practice, will see suitable material graded, segregated and processed for recycling in the UK.
