Update as at 11 July 2014

No word from David this week, but I did get a copy of this update from Peter at Breck's on Friday 11 July 2014:

Update for this week’s activities on site as follows:

·         Chimney scaffold dismantled
·         Cupola scaffold dismantled
·         Majority of front elevation scaffolding removed
·         Basement areas swept and cleared of debris
·         Lead work nearing completion to base of chimneys G&H following scaffolding removal
·         Slating works to commence Monday following lead installations
·         Remaining scaffolding expected to be off hired by Friday 18/7/14 and removed the following week

Will keep you posted of anything else.

Thanks,
BSORA

Latest Update as at 2 July 2014 - Works Nearing Completion!

Dear all, 

I'm not sure quite when Peter at Breck's sent this update  to David at DM Hall, but please see below received from the latter on Wednesday 2nd July 2014.  

• Original instructed scope of works complete on programme as of today [NB, not sure exactly which day 'today' refers to]
• Chimney scaffold booked to be dismantled on Wednesday [2nd?] to facilitate roofing works below
• Sign off meeting took place on Monday 30/6/14, following meeting scaffold will be off hired to Brunswick Street elevation and Montgomery Street as far as the bay window below chimney G&H.  [presumably 'off hired' means the same as dismantled?]
• Cupola scaffold off hired [this was removed yesterday, Wed 2nd July 2014]
• Rear scaffold to remain until roofing works around Chimneys G&H complete
• Cupola glazing completed successfully last Saturday  
• Owners to be lettered regarding reconnections of gas appliances/ fire place un-blocking booked for Saturday 5/7/14 between 0800-12:00  [NB this really applies to the F3 properties mutual to Montgomery Street - if you are unable to be available then, please liaise directly with Breck's to arrange another more suitable time]

Not reported in the update, but mentioned by Peter in person on Tuesday: our windows have apparently all been cleaned at no charge as an additional service from Breck's. * (*If anyone wants to take advantage of the 'supported access' to undertake any additional cleaning or tidying up before it disappears, you are welcome to do so, but at your own risk).

So, based on this, there is still likely to be some activity over the next few days/weeks, but we will continue to keep you informed.  Please be aware of things falling etc and keep safe. 

Letters will soon be issued detailing the impact to each individual property of the variations to the scope of work, and we look forward to your co-operation with this.   

In the meantime, if you do have any questions, please contact bsora@hotmail.co.uk. 

Chimney G, partially rebuilt, viewed from Brunswick Street side 17 June 2014

Chimney G, rebuilt but not yet rendered, viewed from Brunswick Street side 28 June 2014

Chimney G, rebuilt but not yet rendered, viewed from Montgomery Street side 28 June 2014

Chimney G, rebuilt and rerendered (in a very bright render which will apparently dull down!),
viewed from Montgomery Street side 17 June 2014, with scaffolding partially removed.  

Maybe they took inspiration from our blog - it could barely be closer match if they tried!

  

Latest Update as at 18 June 2014

Please see below the latest update on progress from James Breck Ltd, received today from David Burrup:

• Please see attached document of pics of chimney G takedown. Note the depth of cement render and resulting damage to the underlying sandstone. 

• Works this week have been concentrated on chimney G rebuild, we hope to have the cope poured on Friday. The new render system will be installed next week (weather permitting). 

• The cupola glazing will take place this Saturday (21 June 2014), we would ask that owners take care when entering the upper properties in particular as men will be working overhead. 

• Lead work is nearing completion to chimneys CDE&F 

• Elevation masonry is also nearing completion to the front with the rear elevation masonry due to commence next week.

Chimney G as at 21 May 2014
 - Now you see it....

..and now you don't....Chimney G, gone,
as at 11 June 2014

Chimney G this morning 18 June 2014, both old and new, side by side on Montgomery Street.

 As soon as there is anything further, we will aim to keep you posted. 

Catriona 
for
BSORA

This could so easily have been ours.....!

Tenement front collapses in Glasgow
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27766612

Front of sandstone tenement collapses in Glasgow

A large amount of masonry has fallen on the street and entrances to flats below

A large section of masonry has collapsed from a tenement building in central Glasgow, showering debris on to flat entrances and the street below.

Police have closed Baliol Street, in the city's Woodlands area, after the collapse was reported at about 13:40.

It is understood that no-one has been injured in the incident.

The masonry formed part of the top section of the blonde sandstone building. Emergency service and utility firms are in attendance.

The top section of the blonde sandstone building collapsed on Monday afternoon

Eyewitness Daniel Twist described how he heard "a big crack" like "a big clap of thunder" then saw the section of building come crashing down in a "puff of smoke".

"Suddenly people were trying to come out of their houses and I was telling them to go back in as I think it was safer," he said.

"We couldn't see that there was anyone underneath the rubble so I decided to call the fire brigade and the police.

"In that time someone came running over and said 'oh my God, that's my house there' and I said 'you're lucky you're here and not there'.

"We did start to smell gas and I said 'I think we need to get away from the area' because we could smell it was quite strong."

Mr Twist said he was glad that no-one had been injured in the incident.

Update as at 8 June 2014

Thanks to those that attended the BSORA meeting today.  

For the benefit of those that were unable to attend, the minutes can be found here (many thanks to Lesley) and the latest update from David Burrup at DM Hall, received Friday 6 June 2014 is as follows:

• Rebuild of chimney H complete
• Front elevation masonry currently in progress
• Lead works to be completed upon removal of chimney scaffolds G & H
• Lithomex repairs complete to front elevation.

See attached James Breck doc for photos of works in progress.

Zoomed in to see the new rebuilt Chimney H at the rear 3 June 2014

Removed stonework visible to the right
of the double window at 3F2.
3 June 2014

New stonework now visible to right of double window at 3F2
and also between the panes at 2F2 below.
6 June 2014

Vertical stone piece to edge of window at 3F2 removed
- visible lying on the scaffold.
5 June 2014

Vertical stone piece at 3F2 window 

now replaced.

6 June 2014

Vertical stone replaced to window at 3F2,
with new portion in place at the top 6 June 2014

Removed stonework from 3F2
- new stones lying on scaffold 1 June 2014

Stones removed by living room window of 3F2
- new stone on scaffold 1 June 2014

New stone in place to right of
double window at 3F2.6 June 2014

 ***********************

In the meantime, on 23 May 2014, we received the unwelcome news that contrary to the earlier assessment, Chimney G was actually unsafe.  Having been partially rebuilt in the past.  It is currently brick on disintegrating stonework.  A majority decision by those affected has been taken to rebuild it.  

Chimney G stone deterioration
May 2014 (1)

Chimney G stone deterioration
May 2014 (2)

Chimney G stone deterioration
May 2014 (3)

As ever, we will do our best to keep you up to date, or feel free to contact us at bsora@hotmail.co.uk . 

BSORA committee

Next Meeting 8 June 2014

Our property in context -
if you zoom in to the right, level with the last spire you can just see the green netting around our scaffold

Hello all, 

Things are changing by the day now, and although we are aiming to keep you informed as best we can, it is not always easy, when we all have full time jobs too! 

Nevertheless, please find the minutes of our last meeting here, and note that our next meeting will be held at 5pm on Sunday 8 June at No 11 Brunswick St Hotel. (Please RSVP to bsora@hotmail.co.uk)

You may have noticed that Chimney H has now been dismantled, and was temporarily residing (safely) on Montgomery Street.  Presumably, the rebuilding of it will start this week.

Many thanks,
BSORA

Chimney H in bits sitting on Montgomery Street 21 May 2014

A zoom in on a partially demolished Chimney H 21 May 2014

Update as at 19 May 2014

Update from David on Friday afternoon:

Quick update for week 4 as follows:

• A few days have been lost due to the poor weather, (?)  hopefully this can be made up without effecting the program.
• Lead work to chimneys E+F completed (see attached) (as reported last week)
• Lead work to chimneys C+D in progress ( as reported last week)
• Cupola haffits complete (see attached)
• Cast iron decorations complete to front elevation
  
• Chimney works to begin on Monday. 

(Photos and more info to follow - there is some fault with Blogger that won't let me post so will just get this basic update out).

Regards, 

Catriona

for

BSORA

(See update below, now that Blogger working again 20th May)

Leadwork to Chimney E and F

Cupola Haffits done, whatever they are

Please note that the following additional works have already been agreed and instructed: 

• Rebuild Chimney H
• Patch to - render to chimney C
• Apron flashings to chimneys C,D,E,F
• 3nr moulded string course cills top level
• Moulded cill 1f3 2nr
• Blocking course projected string detail 
• Replace jamb full height (originally included for indenting)
  

As mentioned in the post from 7 May 2014, these variations were agreed at the meeting on 27 April 2014.  To avoid incurring additional scaffolding costs, we have since been under some pressure to make fairly quick decisions regarding the variations to the rear elevation, and so it was finally agreed to proceed with the following: 

• Rear 2^nd floor lintel 
• Rear downpipe cleared/joints repaired 
  

If you have any questions, please contact either bsora@hotmail.co.uk or David Burrup at DM Hall and we will do our best to answer as best we can.

Thanks,

Catriona

for

BSORA