Introduction
| Eastern Property Services engaged Vertigo Specialist High Access Services, on behalf of Melbourne City Council, to perform an external façade audit (including windows) of the 5-floor Commercial Building at 602 Little Bourke Street, in Melbourne’s CBD. The building, constructed in 1930, predominately features a rendered masonry façade. This external façade audit was conducted in January 2011, utilising Industrial Rope Access Methods.
Visual inspection and delamination testing were performed at all façade areas, in order to determine the type, severity and extent of deterioration found in the façade elements. |
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Scope of Work
The external rendered façade of the building was subjected to visual and delamination surveys from rope access. Defect details were recorded and a condition rating criteria used for each defect, in addition a photographic record was maintained. Any dangerously loose façade material encountered during the inspection was removed as a temporary safety measure.
The findings from the site survey were compiled into a report.
Outcome
Vertigo completed the façade inspection and issued the subsequent audit report on schedule and with minimal inconvenience to building occupants & the public. The inspection revealed a significant number of defects (over 1,500 events) that included delaminated, spalling, missing & cracked render / concrete as well as a number of damaged windows.
A number of areas of dangerously loose material encountered on the facade were removed as part of a temporary make safe measure to ensure public safety. The façade audit data will be used to compile a façade remediation methodology & budget.