Making a Building Safe - January 2006
George Street, Redfern
Download January 2006 newsletter in PDF form
This building, situated not far from Redfern Station, while generally being well constructed and sound, had a simple design fault. A number of brick peaks and free standing walls to the external perimeter were not adequately anchored to the rest of the structure. The reason was a horizontal damp proof course above the roof sheeting level that by its very existence, destroys the structural integrity of the free standing sections through lack of lateral support. Effectively they were remaining in position based on mass however this principle was starting to fail.
The options were to either support the slowly collapsing brickwork through the roof sheeting back to the framing or demolish significant portions of the façade and patch up with a low profile alternative capping to match. The support option was selected but when prices for both the options were received there was very little difference between the two.
LIDORAN ROOFING PTY LTD were selected to undertake the project. Work commenced in July and continued uninterrupted to October 2005.
The principle was to fix to the back of the walls a 100 x 100 x 8mm angle to be supported by 76.1mm diameter CHS which in turn penetrated the roof sheeting to be connected to the framing. The challenge was to maintain the roofs excellent water proofing quality. This was achieved with the use of extra sheeting at the lines of the supports and rubber pressure cones at the points of penetration.
Great attention was paid to detail and the ongoing safety and convenience of the Owners and Tenants, with the result that during the period of construction and during the time since, including the drought breaking rain, there has been but one small leak and that was attended to immediately. This was an excellent team effort contributed to in no small part by LIDORAN ROOFING PTY LTD the Contractor, the OWNERS CORPORATION and their representative on site and BRIGHT & DUGGAN and their Strata Manager, who contributed in no small way to the excellent communication between all parties concerned.