Requirement:

Eco Environmental were asked to submit our proposals for the prevention of nesting Gulls when our client began the reconfiguration of an existing retail unit to form a Home Bargains Store plus an additional retail unit in Sunderland.

The roof, gutters and cladding of the building had experienced previous fouling and nesting debris caused by the resident Gulls - Pigeon and Gull fouling is not only unsightly on the building façade, in some instances it can cause corrosion.

Solution:

Cleaning: Prior to starting our Gull Netting installation works Eco Environmental carried out a full roof, gutter and cladding clean; this included removing old empty nests and associated debris; areas were then pre-sprayed, heavy duty detergent applied using our hot water jet wash and all blocked gutters cleared of fouling and nesting materials. Our fully insured, experienced cleaning teams know exactly where and when heat and pressure can be applied when pressure/jet washing ensuring that the integrity of the structure is never compromised.

Netting Protection: Working closely with the client our Project Managers were able to create a robust 50mm Gull Netting System that could be installed on to the Main Roof; Due to the coastal location of the Store stainless steel wire and fixings were used, the installation of our 2-meter-high supporting posts will allow for future access and maintenance works; the Garden Centre area also benefited from our protective Netting System.

Access Strategy:

Cleaning Works: External Elevations & Gutter Clean conducted from MEWP’s – all of our MEWP operators are IPAF trained.

IPAF’s latest safety campaign highlights the main contributing factors to falls from the MEWP platform and how these can be avoided to ensure all those working with MEWPs plan for safety from the ground before work starts.

Roof Clean conducted via external, temporary scaffold and stairway; fall arrest netting in situ to protect roof skylight area.

Netting Protection Works:  Conducted via MEWP access. A robust risk assessment was carried out to allow for our operatives to be lifted in to position where they could work safely at height, the roof parapet wall acting as fall protection was 1.5m high.

Rope access – Our IRATA qualified team utilised this specialist access technique to provide effective and immediate contact with some of the more difficult to reach areas on this project.

Comments:

Comments: Paul Wood (client’s Construction Manager) commented - Great work completed by the Eco Team from the initial concept to the final results. Great efforts from all involved and a pleasure to work with.

Do you have a Pigeon or Gull problem and need advice? If so call one of our specialist team members at Eco Environmental on 01752 669009 to discuss how we can deter them without harming them or visit our website www.ecoltd.net