Fairhurst was appointed as structural engineers and Principal Designer for Forth Ports’ project to demolish the “Category B” listed Imperial Grain Warehouse at the Port of Leith to make way for the redevelopment and expansion of the port as a renewable energy hub.
The building had dominated the Edinburgh skyline since construction in the 1930s and the original structure had been extended twice in its lifetime. The building ceased operations in 2010 and had lain empty since that date, due to its design and layout being problematic for modernisation and compliance with current DSEAR regulations.
The Imperial Grain Warehouse was a cellular concrete structure that included a conveyor system to the west of the structure that carried grain pumped out of ships to the grain elevators inside the building. The conveyor system was a steel structure with a mixture of corrugated asbestos cement external wall cladding and steel cladding.
As part of the project, HV service diversions were required and an existing adjacent sub-station had to be protected from the demolition works. The design intent was developed with the demolition contractor and the building was successfully demolished using high reach demolition equipment with the concrete crushed for reuse locally within the Port by the client.
Fairhurst’s extensive knowledge and experience of demolition projects allowed the works to be designed and executed safely with minimal interruption to Port activities.
