MRI London create alternative access.

It's easy enough to use Heras Fencing to close roads, it's harder to ensure access for those that need it.In this case MRI London had to remove permanent street bollards to create road access for vehicles to the surrounding buildings. Temporary walkways for pedestrian access were built.We were pleased that we received no complaints from business residents or from the general public.

Due to underground parking facilities below road level we had to underpin the road to take the weight of the crane.

This is the same crane used to lift the Millennium Wheel into place. Correct underpinning was vital, if the roadway had given in and the crane toppled it would have been a literal disaster. MRI London's experience came to the fore and the work was finished promptly and correctly.

Working within a confined space is everyday to MRI London.

Because of the location and size of heavy plant that MRI London remove or install we usually find we have to use the full resources of our extensive experience to find the best solution.You want the job done - MRI London can do it.You want it done efficiently and with minimum trouble - MRI London do that too.

The first week was devoted to assembling the crane.

To lift to the roof the crane must be higher than the roof, that's over 400 feet.Any delays at this point would knock-on and put the entire schedule behind - which due to tight time restrictions imposed by the City of London Authority quite simply could not happen.This phase, and all others, were completed on schedule.

This was for the actual lift. As much plant as possible had already been removed and transported away from the site. This was about 20 tonnes that was cut up and then carried down to street level through the building.

What remained could only be removed by the crane through the roof.

MRI London had also to ensure that removal and delivery of large plant was synchronised to keep within tight time restrictions

It took another week to dismantle the crane.

Failure to keep within restrictions imposed by the City of London Authority would have trigged extensive extra costs.

An overrun was also considered intolerable by the surrounding businesses .In the event we are pleased to say we met all targets and kept disruption to the absolute minimum

Working in the confined space between buildings brought it's own problems, MRI London brought the solutions.

Unavoidable events such as high winds could have set the project back.

Thankfully everything was within safety limits and the operation went smoothly without hindrance

Once the heavy plant was lifted it had to be guided to the actual opening in the roof that MRI London had cut to provide access.

Due to limitations of the building structure the access hole was not much larger than the 12 tonne chiller being lifted. Teamwork came to the fore at this point to co-ordinate with the crane operator on the ground and MRI London operatives on the roof.

As you can see in the picture on the right we didn't have much room for manoeuvre.

To avoid dangerous swinging all movement must be steady and deliberate. Any uncontrolled movement would cause damage to the chiller unit and/or damage to the fabric of the building.

With care and experience MRI London successfully completed the operation without difficulty.

Once the chiller is square to the opening in the roof it can be lowered.At this stage MRI London co-ordinated the street level, on the roof and inside the building.

None of the three groups were in visual, contact, all communication was via radio sets.It is in these situations that experienced teamwork is essential, something MRI London provide as standard.

Lowering into the building must be at a steady rate. Any sharp movements or sudden jolts would cause swing. When a 12 tonne lump swings there isn't much anyone can do to stop it. Awareness and patience are key requirements, but the task must also be completed swiftly.

MRI London's experience means we know where the problems lie and we have the solutions prepared.

Once the unit has passed into the building it is in the control of the team inside the building.

When the team on the roof can no longer participate it is essential that the team on the ground know they are now communicating with those in the building.

Failure to ensure a clear hand-over, so everyone knows which section is in charge, can cause damage to the unit or the building and at worst serious injury to people.

Once through the narrow opening in the roof we had to take great care to avoid all the existing pipe work.

Our choice of where we could open the roof was very restricted.We had to fit between the concrete beams supporting the roof and the chiller was too large to manoeuvre once inside.

Everything had to be in the right place - and it was.

We were able to place the chiller almost exactly in place because of our experience.

Final adjustments were made inside by the designated foreman - one of our most experienced team members.

Working with the people around you and the team at street level, who can't see what is happening inside, demands prompt instructions and prompt actions.

Finally in place really meant final, excessive movement could damage the permanent foundations we had laid to support the chiller. The foundations laid had to be stable and level. We had to ensure the chiller rested at the designated points on the foundations, once in place it stays in place.

The designated foreman must bear in mind the time lag between instruction given and instruction completed.

We were restricted by where the crane was positioned and we had no option to move it.

So for plant being installed on the other side of the building MRI London built a track across the roof.

We had to insure the load would be spread so the roof could support it. Quite simply the roof is not designed to take that much weight.We couldn't do this inside because existing plant was in the way.

Above the place where the new plant was needed we cut another hole and built an A frame over the top.

Once the plant was taken over the roof on the tracks we laid, it had to be lifted into the building and lowered. Although close together the roof team and the inside team are not in direct contact.Again, through team work and experience, MRI accomplished the task.

Road Closures