Used an average of five times per year, to protect the city from tidal surges, the barrier required extensive repair works to the glazing to bring it up to standard.
Working in conjunction with our sister company SEH BAC, a double–glazing specialist, we have been replacing the window mullions which hold the glass in place, and have become corroded over time. Although the process of replacing the mullions is quite straightforward, the Barrier is over 35m high so the job has required a great deal of scaffolding. As well as working at height, the team also had to take into account the risks of working over a river, and therefore had to adapt their health and safety strategy to ensure that everyone was kept safe.
The glazing runs up both towers and along the top of the barrier, and there were 88 2m long mullions to replace. The team has now completed the East tower and started to remove the scaffolding and is due to complete the West tower in mid November.
