Commercial property gains flood protection

Whilst it is a spectacular location, a combined mains sewer and surface water drainage system runs alongside it, and in heavy rainfalls, the plant room has been flooded several times, up to 3m deep, requiring expensive remedial works and risks to business continuity.

Kessel Drainage Solutions, the global pump manufacturer, called in Anglo Pumps sister company, Metcor Environmental, to assess the problem and recommend solutions for overcoming the
challenges. Our engineers first studied plans of the building, then checked and traced all water pipe and drainage systems, tanks, pumps and electrical installations. They created an up-to-date CAD plan, marking the building’s water and waste management systems in detail, which the client keeps for future reference.

The Victorian Grade II listed building meant that access to the plant room was heavily restricted by narrow entrances, stair cases and corridors, posing problems for the extraction of old equipment and the installation of new.
The building resides in a tightly controlled City of London noise restriction area, where noisy works could only take place between 6am and 2.30pm on Saturdays.
The client did not want the walls in the plant room to be drilled.

The two new pumps each weighed a quarter of a ton, and there was no entry space large enough to winch the new tank into place.

Metcor Environmental and Anglo Pump’s experience in bringing large plant into confined spaces came in handy: the tank was delivered as a ‘flat pack’, carried down to the plant room and built on-site by the engineers. The pumps were brought to their required site using specialised motorised battery powered stair climbers and transport.

“With the challenges we faced with this luxuriously renovated, Grade II Victorian building, we had to adapt to the specific site, and engineer smart ways to overcome them. It was a huge job in confined spaces, with little room for more than 2 or 3 engineers at a time. We’re delighted with the feedback from the client, and to have been part of the flood mitigation for this extraordinary building. As a result, there are several more sites we are being asked to review – a great acknowledgement of my team’s efforts.”