Fort Dunlop

What Happened?

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• The design was fixed, construction contract awarded and ready to start.

• Late discovery of records hinted at major sewers under the site but location was vague.

• Possibly under building footprint. Diversionary costs were potentially £100,000’s.

• ‘Cross your fingers and hope for the best’ approach was not an option.

• Construction programme halted. Re-birth of the site after 20 year wait at risk.

• Depth of sewers beyond the detection range of non-invasive techniques.

• Taylor Wimpey called on SUMO to devise plan to locate them.

• Sewers located exactly and at 7.0 metres deep away from the building footprint.

 

The Savings

 

Savings were made in time, money and risk. The non-invasive survey cost was £5,000. It resulted in savings of £100,000’s.

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• The SUMO Solution and Benefits

• Devised best value solution, which dramatically mitigated the financial risk.

• Kept trial holes costs to a minimum saving £100,000’s.

• Confirmed the development could continue, safely and on schedule.

• Detected further unknown water main thus avoiding potential service strike.

 

Fascinating Fort Dunlop Facts

 

Fort Dunlop was once the world’s largest factory. During the construction period it had the largest permanent billboard in Europe. The roof is transformed into one of the largest living green roofs in the country.