25 November 2010
CONTRACTORS are about to be given the job of hauling out the tonnes of wreckage still piled up inside the fire-shattered building in Dartmouth’s Fairfax Place.
Forensic experts have been able to investigate the interior of the complex of gutted buildings – thanks to a one-tonne robot machine which is usually used to carry out demolition work.
The Brokk robot boldly went where no man could safely go to clear a safe route for the experts to get inside so they could sort out how and where the blaze which destroyed shops, offices and flats – including a Grade II*-listed building – started.
At the time, despite £90,000 worth of scaffolding surrounding the complex, it was still too unstable for workmen to go inside.
So instead the Brokk machinery, guided by remote control, was sent in first.
Colin Souch, of Kingsbridge structural engineer Paul Carpenters Associates, who are managing the clearance and rebuild project on behalf of the insurances, said: “The risk of potential collapse was far too great for anybody to get into the building, so we needed to provide access by other means.
“We contacted D-Drill because they are experts in the operation of Brokk machinery and I know from other lines of work how versatile they can be.
“They were able to clear a corridor for scaffolding to be inserted, making it safe for people to enter.
“The project was a success, everything worked to time and everybody went away happy.”
The Brokk machinery was controlled by an operator up to 20 yards away as it was directed into the complex to shift the rubble and create a safe route through the buildings.
It is the first time the Coventry firm has used the sophisticated machinery for this kind of work, explained Plymouth branch manager Jimmy Smith.
“It took three days but a scaffold gantry was eventually pushed into the building to make a safe corridor for the forensic scientists to try and establish the cause of the fire,” he said.
The Brokk 90 is 1.2 metres tall, weighs over a tonne.
Mr Smith said: “This piece of equipment is used mainly for the demolition of objects such as reinforced walls and floors.
“But for this particular job we attached crushing jaws to the front of the Brokk so that it could move obstructions rather than just demolish them.
“This is the first time we have used the machinery for this type of job but it went really well and is something we would certainly consider doing again.”
Mr Souch said the forensic team took away various items for further examination and analysis and added: “The results of which I am not party to.”
Now the roof across the complex is in place the next step is to begin clearing the rubble from inside the complex.
He said he was now almost in a position to appoint contractors to start the clearance work which was likely to begin within the next three weeks.
“It will mean a soft strip of all the fire-damaged materials and collapsed building debris,” he explained.
He said while work would begin soon, it would cease for at least two weeks over the Christmas period and restart in the New Year.
The complex destroyed in last May’s fire consisted of estate agent Singer and Singer, the Wheelhouse fish and chip shop, Higher Street Gallery, Smith Street Delicatessen, the Compass Office shop, Port of Call signage shop and Khrua Thai restaurant as well as the flats above.
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