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

Latest Update as at 7 May 2014

Dear all,

Despite appearances, things are moving very quickly and it's not easy to keep up to date, far less keeping everyone in the loop. Nevertheless, here is an attempt to do so:

As explained previously, because the orginal survey was carried out in Nov 2011, it was no surprise that there might be some variations to the original estimate.

The previous post ( 24 April 2014) included details from a document prepared by Breck's, outlining the most immediate amendments.

These were discussed at the Meeting held on 27 April 2014, where a majority decision was taken to accept the following proposals. (Minutes to follow)

The variations agreed so far are:

• Schedule Item Number 2.00: Miscellaneous
•  Capping Flues and Disconnecting Gas appliances to Chimneys G&H, added cost

• Schedule Item Number 3.06: Proprietary Eaves
• No longer required, so cost deducted

• Schedule Item Number 5.00: Chimney Works to G&H
• Rebuild Chimney H, so added cost, but shared 50:50 with Montgomery St Block

• Schedule Item Number 5.00: Chimney Works to CDEF
• Patch render to C, newly identified requirement, added cost
• Apron Flashings to CDEF, newly identified but essential, added cost

• Schedule Item Number 6.00: Stonework
• Various amendments as some no longer required, balanced with some additions – net difference is an added cost

Since then, though, we have received some further variations, this time to the rear elevation. These are illustrated in the document you can find here. They include clearing the greenery out of the downpipes, and replacing an additional badly decayed lintel, shown below. These are, inevitably, further additional costs. There is a further lintel which we could replace, if we choose to, although at this stage as it is not deemed essential, the proposal is to leave it in order to curb costs as far as possible.  

Lintel to2f1- No allowance in tender, cement repair failing and stonework underneath is

in poor condition



Greenery growing in downpipes



Taken altogether the overall increase to the project costs at this stage are likely to be approximately an extra £5,200 plus VAT.  This represents just under 10% on the originally estimated costs, equivalent to a sum in the region of about £500 per flat (inc. VAT), although the detailed apportionments by property have yet to be confirmed.  I do appreciate that this is not an insignificant sum, but in the scheme of things (and certainly in the old stat notice days) could probably have been worse. We will aim to get firmer figures as soon as possible.  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.

In the meantime, DM Hall have provided the following update for Week 3

• Lead works complete to EF
• Lead works in progress to CD
• Lead works in progress to B
• Cast iron redecorations in progress
• Cupola overhaul in progress
• Chimney rebuild to H instructed 29/4/14
• Re-rendering to G&H to be completed once rebuild to H complete
• Masons expected on site WC 12/5/14 to begin chimney rebuild
  

In terms of stonework to elevations, there is a lead in time of up to 6 weeks for stonework.  If additional stone units are to be instructed this needs to be confirmed to James Breck before 9/6/14 to avoid additional scaffold hires.  The additional charges would be as per the rates previously confirmed.

As ever, every reasonable attempt will be made to keep you informed of what is happening, and what this is likely to mean to us all.

Thanks,

Catriona

for

BSORA