In the busy city centre at Sergeants Lane, St Leonards, significant areas of concrete spalling were identified on a high-rise building façade. With the building positioned directly above a pedestrian thoroughfare, the risks were immediate and serious: falling debris had the potential to impact foot traffic and create major safety hazards.

The project required a repair methodology that combined technical precision with minimal disruption to the public and surrounding businesses.

The Challenge

• High-Risk Location – Directly above busy footpaths in a city centre environment.
• Active Concrete Spalling – Loose fragments with the potential to detach at any time.
• Access Constraints – Traditional scaffold solutions were not feasible for speed, cost, or disruption.

Approach

To manage risk and deliver efficient remediation, we utilised industrial rope access methods supported by catch nets to control debris. This allowed our team to move with agility across the façade, treating spalled areas without installing large-scale scaffolding.

The scope included:

• Targeted breakout of defective concrete.
• Treatment of exposed reinforcement to halt further corrosion.
• Rebuilding and patching using high-performance repair mortars.
• Installation of catch nets to protect pedestrians during works.

Execution

1. Site Safety & Planning
   • Public protection was the first priority. Catch nets and exclusion zones were installed below work areas.
   • Rope access rigging designed to provide safe, controlled movement across the façade.
2. Breakout & Treatment
   • All loose and delaminated concrete carefully broken out.
   • Exposed steel reinforcement cleaned, treated, and primed for longevity.
3. Repair & Rebuild
   • Application of specialised repair mortars matched to the existing façade.
   • Surface finishes detailed for consistency and durability.
4. Completion & Handover
   • Works completed with zero safety incidents.
   • The façade restored to structural integrity and safe condition.

Outcome

• Immediate Risk Removed – No further danger of falling debris onto the public.
• Minimal Disruption – Rope access allowed works to proceed without major scaffolding or street closures.
• Durable Repair – Structural performance of the façade restored with a system designed to last.

Project Significance

This project demonstrates the role of specialised access methods in remedial construction. By combining rope access with robust repair methodology, Atomic Projects delivered a safe, efficient, and technically sound solution for a high-risk façade in a dense urban environment.