The Fabrications Division has just completed another handrail project for a new private residence in Scotland.

The challenge regarding this particular project was to coordinate the installation of all the steel bars along with the various timber components manufactured by one of the UK’s leading timber machining firms Haldane.

The exposed steel pegs and bars on the catilever tread handrail were specially textured to match the grain of the luxuriously stained rich ash wood which gave a silver finish to the balustrade.

Blake Group’s Fabrication Division has just completed the installation of new stainless steel handrails at the prestigious Edinburgh Headquarters of the Forestry Commission.

Raymond Pender is Contracts Manager for the Fabrications Division, “Using high grade brushed 304 stainless steel, we installed over 56 meters of handrail to the two main stairs, each covering eight storeys and located at opposite ends of this distinctive building.  Working outside of office hours to eliminate any disruption to Forestry Commission staff, our team seamlessly installed the handrails ahead of time and on budget.”

The landmark Forestry Commission Headquarters is located opposite Edinburgh Zoo and boasts a distinctive crescent shape.  To some, the building marks the visual entrance to central Edinburgh from the West.  When passing the building one notices Edinburgh’s skyline opening up firstly with Murrayfield Stadium and further off in the distance Edinburgh Castle in the heart of the City.

The Forestry Commission is a Government department whose main functions are to manage most of the forestry land owned by the Government and to regulate the UK’s privately owned forests and woodlands.  The Commission was set up in 1919 after the First World War with the twin aims of developing a reliable source of timber and creating employment in the forestry sector and is responsible for regulating woodlands and specifically controlling felling.

Today from site, the latest images of the bespoke Corten steel columns at the Dominican Order of Preachers centre in George Square, Edinburgh.

On behalf of client Ashwood (Scotland), Blake Group’s Fabrications Division has completed the manufacture and installation of four unique Corten steel support columns for Scotland’s Dominican Order of Preachers Centre at George Square, Edinburgh.

The striking steel structures will become the main architectural features of the new extension to the centre and stand at a height of 3.8m and weigh approximately one tonne each.

Jonathan Blake, Technical Director of Blake Group comments, “Taking centre stage at the Dominican Order of Preachers chapel, the columns were originally designed to be made from stainless steel, but as the project progressed Corten was chosen as the preferred material due to its naturalistic look and feel opposed to the shininess of stainless.”

The new building will provide ground floor and disabled access to the Chapel through George Square Lane to the rear of the Chaplaincy. Access to other community areas will be easier as there will be no stairs between the Chapel and the café and toilet areas.

Please visit the chapel’s website to find out more about the project and the Dominican Order of Preachers in Scotland: Keeping The Door Open

For further details on Ashwood (Scotland) http://www.ashwoodscotland.co.uk/

Blake Group’s Fabrications Division recently collected the highly coveted “Pride In The Job” Award presented by Miller Homes for steel works at the housebuilders landmark development ‘Varcity’ .

Commercial Manager Brian Matchett who heads up the Fabrications Division collected the Award at an industry event held at Point Hotel in Edinburgh.

Brian comments, “This is the fourth year in a row Blake Group has collected a ‘Pride In The Job’ Award from Miller Homes.  It is testimony to the high quality of work and professionalism of the team who time after time deliver excellence in engineering.”

Blake Group has worked closely with Miller Homes throughout the whole build programme of Varcity.  Now in its 5th phase, Varcity is the largest development of its type in the Capital.  Blake Group is responsible for the manufacturing and installation of stairs, balconies, handrails and general steelworks, the works equating to a contract value exceeding £2m.

Click Here To Find Out More About Varcity

As part of an extensive refurbishment of the famous Bridge Inn at Ratho, the Fabrication Division recently completed the manufacturing and installation of a bespoke outdoor decking area which included balcony structural steel, stairs, glass balustrade and chrome handrails.

With experience of working in confined and difficult to reach locations the team installed the outdoor area with minimal disturbance to the day to day business of the Bridge Inn, the local community and those enjoying a summer break on the canal.

Situated in a stunning and picturesque setting on the banks of the Union Canal, the Bridge Inn is a unique pub and restaurant.  Acquired in 2010 by the new proprietors Graham and Rachel Bucknall, the couple have a passion for locally sourced fresh foods and quality service available in a warm and welcoming riverside country pub.

Blake Group’s Environmental Tanks Division has just completed the design and manufacture of two OFS T200 integrally-bunded steel tanks for the British Pipeline Agency Ltd (BPA).

BPA is a joint venture between BP Oil UK and Shell UK. The company owns and operates the UK oil pipeline network of oil and gas pipelines which transport petroleum products and natural gas around the UK.

The larger tank will be used for Product Recovery and has a capacity of 20,000Litres whilst the smaller tank will be used as a Corrosion Inhibitor tank with a capacity of 2,000Litres.

Both tanks are destined for UKOP (UK Pipeline Networks) Compound in Canvey Island that distributes fuel throughout the UK to key locations including airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

As part of Edinburgh’s Parliament House refurbishment programme, a joint team from Blake Group’s Fabrications Division and Environmental Tanks Division set about manufacturing new air intake plenum boxes and vent stacks with lobster back bends painted internally and externally for contractor Arthur McKay.

Parliament House in Edinburgh, Scotland, was home to the pre-Union Parliament of Scotland, and now houses the Supreme Courts of Scotland. It is located in the Old Town, just off Edinburgh’s High Street, beside St Giles Cathedral.

Testimony to the professionalism and superior service provided, Arthur McKay has won a prestigious Facilities Management Services contract for the Scottish Court Service with a contract value estimated at £30m for a 4 year period and includes an option to extend by a further 2 years.

Northumbrian Water Ltd both directly and through specialist contractors JN Bentley and Byzak, has chosen Blake Group to ensure compliance with the Water Industry Mechanical & Electrical Specification (WIMES) and the latest regulations for safe oil storage on their sites throughout the North East of England.

Designed and certified to OFS T200 and complying with The Control of Pollution Regulations and Environment Agency guidelines, a wide variety of oil storage tanks have been manufactured. The fully bunded tanks incorporate a number of features to ensure total control and safety:

• Electronic Contents Level Gauge
• Combined Overfill, Low-Level and Bund Alarm with relays
• Security Hatch with lockable Roller-Shutter Door
• Overfill Prevention Valve
• High quality paint finish including shotblasting

In a feature published in WET News, Blake Group Managing Director Ronnie Blake commented, “Guidance to above ground oil storage is becoming a minefield.  The simplest way for those in the water industry to comply with all regulations is to follow WIMES”.

To read the article, “Steel Makes Good Sense” click HERE
To read the latest issue of WET News click HERE