Broughton Castle, Oxfordshire Asbestos Removal Case Study

Project overview

City Environmental Services (UK) Ltd was appointed following a detailed tender process to undertake licensed asbestos removal works within the boiler room at Broughton Castle, Oxfordshire. The client placed particular emphasis on selecting a specialist contractor with proven experience of working safely and sensitively within historic and high-value properties. The works centred on the controlled removal of asbestos thermal insulation from pipework and associated services within the existing boiler room.

Scope of works

• Removal of asbestos thermal insulation from pipework and associated fittings within the boiler room.

• Careful removal of insulation residues and localised asbestos debris from congested service areas and around existing mechanical plant.

• Full environmental clean and controlled waste removal, with completed areas prepared for analytical inspection and subsequent mechanical works.

THE CHALLENGE

The client required a contractor capable of combining licensed asbestos expertise with the care expected when working within an important historic property. The boiler room contained dense pipework, mechanical equipment and restricted working areas, meaning the removal methodology had to protect both the existing services and the surrounding building fabric. These requirements formed a significant part of the tender assessment before CES was selected for the works.

HOW CES DELIVERED

CES developed a detailed, phased removal strategy for the boiler room, incorporating controlled enclosure arrangements, negative pressure equipment, strict decontamination procedures and carefully sequenced access around the existing plant. Low-disturbance removal techniques were used wherever practicable, with independent analytical support throughout the works and close liaison with the client team to ensure the historic property remained protected.

Safety and quality controls

The works were undertaken under fully controlled licensed conditions with particular emphasis on enclosure integrity, careful handling around retained services and protection of the surrounding historic fabric. Independent air monitoring and analytical clearance were used to verify the effectiveness of the controls and confirm that the boiler room was suitable for handover following completion.

Project outcome

The asbestos removal works were completed safely and within the agreed programme, leaving the boiler room ready for the next phase of mechanical and refurbishment works. The successful delivery demonstrated CES’s ability to undertake technically demanding licensed asbestos projects in sensitive heritage environments where planning, workmanship and protection of the existing property are as important as programme performance.

CLIENT FEEDBACK

“From the tender stage through to completion, CES gave us confidence that the works would be handled with the level of care this property required. Their planning was thorough, the site team worked extremely professionally and the boiler room was handed back exactly as agreed. Their experience of working in sensitive historic buildings was evident throughout the project.”