Requirements
Auto dealership giant Mercedes Benz distribution centre in Brentford were in requirement of an effective bird deterrent system that would deny the existing Pigeons from roosting on this site and spreading their guano (also known as fouling) onto the expensive, luxurious cars parked within the bays below.
Guano is not only a health and safety issue to all who use this dealership, but it also contains high levels of nitrogen which can be corrosive to modern day water-based car paintwork. Failure to remove “bird poo” from the parked vehicles within a timely manner causes long term damage and ultimately will require specialist repairs to the paintwork, which can prove costly.
Solution
Our Project Manager visited site and carried out an assessment of the problematic areas and identified that the most important places in need of protection were the two main facades coupled with the upper storey flanges. The vertical partitions of the building would provide ideal shelter for birds unless intervened, and it was suggested that a combination of our discreet 50mm bird netting along with our AVISHOCK system would be the most effective form of preventing the birds from further access.
AVISHOCK is the most discreet, humane, and low-profile bird proofing solution on the market and often favoured by architects and clients alike when trying to keep the overall look of the building and skyline free and clear.
Lead times were agreed with the client at the prestart meeting, and by working from marked up drawings, the phased works were carried out over a 12-week programme. Operations and Maintenance manuals detailing replacement of parts, structural components and other activities needed to preserve these systems were passed to client at the end of our works. This will ensure the life expectancy of the installation.
Access Strategy
Due to the height of the Mercedes Distribution Centre, a MEWP, more specifically a Nifty HR28, was chosen due to its excellent manoeuvrability and safe working load.
This scissor lift allowed our IPAF trained, two-man team to access the fins and the parapet of the external areas of the building, especially in some of the more difficult to reach areas. A 5.2m narrow tower (scaffolding platform) was also built on site to access the internal areas, PASMA and instruction manual required prior to works commencing.
Comments
Jamie Mash, Senior PM for Eco Environmental commented “It was a pleasure to partner with our client on this particular site, they were professional and organised and this enabled our install team to carry out the works within a tight deadline whilst working alongside multiple trades, bringing the project to a successful conclusion, within budget.”