Top water blast systems supplier Jetstream Europe is playing a
major role in the £6 million project to restore Blackpool
Tower to its former glory.
The Halesowen-based company has just supplied a second
ultra-high pressure water jet unit to the team in charge of
refurbishing the iconic 518ft structure.
The additional machine is being used as part of an accelerated
works programme to revamp the top of the tower in readiness for the
opening of a new observation deck in September. The full
restoration programme is set for completion in 2015.
Contractor MPM North West is stripping away decades of paint and
rust with the Jetstream machines so that engineers can check the
structure and replace any faulty steelwork before it is repainted
in its original red colour.
The restoration team chose Jetstream to supply a second system
after being impressed by the performance of its initial purchase, a
similar ultra-high pressure water jet unit with a twin-gun operator
function.
The equipment was specially devised to be compact and
lightweight so it was not only suitable for use on a purpose-built
scaffold system, but could also be easily transported to the work
site via the tower's lifts.
In addition, MPM had to overcome other challenges to undertake
the water blast operation including the installation of pumps to
deliver water to a series of storage tanks situated at over 200ft
and 300ft up the tower, as well as new power cables to supply the
units.
During the operation, paint and debris is contained within the
working area by protective sheets and netting. The material is then
swept up, placed in dedicated tipping bins and later craned down
into skips, explained project manager Dave Hulme.
A total of 20 staff are involved in the task at the top of the
tower and restoration work is carried out seven days a week
provided there is good weather, he added.
He is full of praise for the Jetstream equipment, which is being
used in probably the largest and most high profile, ultra-high
pressure water jet cleaning contract currently underway in the
UK.
"Jetstream Europe was able to build the machines to our
requirements and the company provides an excellent spares and
technical back-up service. The units are easy to maintain which
means downtime is kept to a minimum and they can be run as
efficiently as possible," said Dave.
Jetstream Europe, based in Chancel Way, is one of the UK's
leading distributors of advanced water blast systems and
accessories for a wide variety of industrial cleaning
applications.