Project overview

INNOX was contracted by MJS Projects to undertake both licensed and non-notifiable asbestos removal works within Bethel Street police station, as part of the large refurbishment project delivered in 2023-2024.

The ACMs were mainly in the form of thermal insulation within the service risers, plant room and floor voids, along with some non-notifiable ACMs in the form of asbestos cement packers and window boards.

Scope of works

The removal scope included:

• Licensed removal of thermal insulation and asbestos residues from service risers, plant rooms, floor voids and service tunnels.
• Non-notifiable removal of asbestos cement packers, window boards and other minor ACMs.
• Construction of multiple licensed enclosures, including oversized Airlocks/Baglocks, negative pressure systems, CCTV monitoring and controlled access points.
• Full wet-removal methodology including surfactant spraying, continuous shadow vacuuming and multi-stage fine cleaning.
• Installation of crawl-board systems and specialist scaffolding to safely access confined loft areas, deep voids and boiler room structures.
• Additional boiler room works: removal of Uni-strut brackets, plant fixings and residual contamination, plus wall preparation and encapsulation under fully controlled conditions.
• Safe waste handling using sealed wheelie bins, with disposal to a licensed hazardous waste facility under the consignment note procedure.
• Welfare setup including a full Decontamination Unit (DCU) and coordinated transit and waste routes across the live police site.
• Completion of independent 4-Stage Clearances for all licensed work areas.

Key challenges

• Strict police vetting: all operatives required advanced background screening, taking over four weeks to process.
• Heritage constraints: original floorboards and fixtures had to be preserved, catalogued and reinstated in exact order.
• Confined spaces: service tunnels and deep floor voids required confined-space controls and rescue equipment.
• Restricted access: live police operations on the wider site required controlled movement and segregated transits.
• Concurrent trades: multiple contractors working simultaneously required tight coordination for waste, access and DCU usage.

How INNOX overcame these

• Supplied a fully vetted team with police-approved clearance.
• Installed a catalogued floorboard removal process to protect heritage features.
• Implemented confined space entry procedures, including gas monitoring and rescue provision.
• Designed oversized Airlock/Baglock systems and specialist enclosures for risers, voids and boiler room works.
• Installed controlled crawl-board routes for safe access through tight loft and void areas.
• Coordinated closely with MJS to maintain safe waste and transit routes during busy site operations.
• Delivered all works in strict compliance with CAR 2012, including continuous shadow vacuuming and surfactant application.

Project outcome

• All licensed and non-notifiable asbestos safely removed across the full police station complex.
• Every enclosure achieved 4-Stage Clearance first time.
• Zero incidents recorded throughout the 8-week programme.
• Additional works absorbed and completed within the revised schedule.
• Full compliance with heritage, confined space and operational policing requirements.
• Project completed on time, within budget and to the satisfaction of the client.

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