Bridge Parapet Painting in Hampshire

The Challenge

When Hampshire County Council announced the tender for the Bridge Parapet Painting, we were keen to get involved. The works required fell under the Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations 2007, so it was imperative, when responding to the Tender application, we could meet the requirements and specifications stipulated. The works were to carry out Bridge Parapet Painting to 10 structures in the Hampshire area and had to be completed within a scheduled timescale in order to comply with strict Traffic Management guidelines.

What did we do

Having successfully won the tender, the Construction Phase Plan, paint specification, risk assessments, method statements and a schedule of works was submitted to Hampshire CC for their approval, which was agreed by their CDM co-ordinator.

The works commenced after putting into place all relevant Traffic & Pedestrian management, by our Street Works trained, local operatives - this ranged from temporary traffic lights or “give and take” signs. Vegetation was overgrown around the parapets and in some cases preventing access, this was cut down, bagged and removed from the site. The parapets were then prepared by removing all old, flaky, failed paint and rust, back to the original metal surface, in preparation for the application of the paint system. Several of the locations were over a river or riverbeds and procedures were put in place to ensure that no debris entered the watercourse. Having prepared the parapets, we used a 4 coat Highways Authority approved paint system. The first coat being a pre-treatment primer for galvanised steel, to ensure the adhesion of the subsequent paint system. The second coat, a two-pack, zinc phosphate, epoxy blast primer / sealer, followed by a third coat of a two-pack, MIO high-build, quick drying epoxy undercoat and finally finished with a top coat of a two-pack, acrylic polyurethane finish.

Our ICATS trained staff played an important role in the painting of the parapets and enabled our operatives to provide the best value service. The ICATS scheme is a new comprehensive structured training scheme for the training, certification and registration of industrial surface preparation and coating operatives.

The outcome

The project was finished ensuring the parapets were refurbished to a high standard in order to retain their authenticity. Even though the weather let us down on occasions, the project was completed within the given timescale and on budget.