The ideal choice for demolition work in Fife

Available for a full range of demolition and asbestos services

As well as working for Fife Council we also work for high net-worth clients in the area. One such job was the demolition of a former swimming pool in Kirkcaldy. 

Surrounded by the Mercat Centre on one side and Kirkcaldy Esplanade on the other, this principal contracting demolition project required precision planning and execution. Before the demolition works commenced there was an extensive asbestos removal project to be undertaken. This involved the removal of Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) trims from the ceiling edges and lights above both swimming pools.

The height and scale of the project meant that a full birdcage scaffold was required to provide a working platform for the removal works to take place. There was also asbestos removal works to the external soffit (under full enclosure from a fixed scaffold) and within the kitchen. On completion of the asbestos removal works the demolition began with the soft strip of the building, segregating all materials into their respective categories to minimise waste to landfill and maximise recycling.

The building was adjoined to the live Mercat Shopping Centre, therefore disconnection of the two buildings was required using specialist cutting equipment, with subsequent installation of supporting steelwork to the walkway extending the length of the building. A 50-tonne tracked excavator with steel cutting shears attachment was used to remove the roof of the building before two 35-tonne  excavators were used to bring down the building and grub up the foundations with a depth of 3.5 metres.

All suitable materials were crushed on site and used to backfill the voids left by the removal of the basin and foundations. The site was then graded down to the footpath and a 2.5m hoarding erected around the site. Following the demolition of the main building, Gowrie Contracts were tasked with the asbestos removal and demolition of the chimney. With the inside of the chimney clad in asbestos insulating board this section of the works consisted of removing the asbestos in sections then hand demolition that section of the chimney and then repeating. In total this process was completed 20 times.