Innov8 UK Group delivered the licensed removal of approx. 140 linear metres of chrysotile and amosite pipe thermal insulation from the underground duct beneath B Block at Cardinal Newman High School, Warrington (WA4). The duct runs approx. 71 metres along the main corridor with an 8-metre offshoot and is just 1 metre high, classifying the works as a confined space under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997.
The insulation — wrapped in felt and wire mesh and in good-to-fair condition — was removed under fully controlled negative-pressure conditions during the school summer holidays, with the building vacant throughout to keep disruption to nil. Background air monitoring confirmed no fibres present, permitting half-face RPE during set-up and non-licensed preparation works.
For licensed asbestos removal or asbestos removal in Warrington, Innov8 UK Group works UK-wide from bases in Manchester, Carlisle and London — surveyed properly, quoted fixed and documented fully.
A site assessment confirmed approx. 140 linear metres of chrysotile/amosite pipe thermal insulation within the underground duct beneath B Block, wrapped in felt and wire mesh and in good-to-fair condition, running approx. 71 metres along the main corridor with an 8-metre offshoot. Licensed removal was carried out during the school summer holidays under fully controlled negative-pressure conditions.
Asbestos risks were controlled through negative-pressure access enclosures at each duct hatch, wet-injection removal (BS 8520), Class H shadow vacuuming and decontamination in accordance with CAR 2012. As the duct is a confined space, a permit-to-work was in operation throughout, with a tripod and 45-metre winch at the mid-corridor hatch for emergency extraction and operatives using wheeled bogeys within the 1-metre-high duct. The negative pressure unit sits at the clean-corridor hatch, with a roving head running into the duct to an IUG-erected false wall at the far end of the ACM zone.
The underground duct presents significant access restrictions — only 1 metre high throughout, with a confined atmosphere requiring continuous atmospheric monitoring. Standing water from earlier ingress was wet-vacuumed before removal began, flaking wall paint was scraped back, and festoon lighting was installed along the full length of the duct. All voids and penetrations were sealed before enclosure integrity testing, and the non-ACM insulated pipe runs on the opposite bank were also removed as part of the scope.
Asbestos waste ran via the principal bag-lock hatch directly to the Heras-fenced compound, DCU and skip, and was consignment-noted for disposal at a licensed facility. The works completed with independent four-stage clearance and a full documentation pack issued to the client.
