Perfect Remediation and Refurbishment was recently engaged to carry out building element rectification and waterproofing repairs to the existing roof top of the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Philip Street Sydney. The building being built in circa 1966 has weathered over 57 years of the Australian harsh conditions and in urgent need of several remedial repairs ensuring a watertight rooftop.

The scope of work involved:

• Installation of new Fatra PVC waterproofing membrane
• Repairs to the perimeter concrete hobs which were subject to water damage and as a result significant concrete spalling rectification works being required.
• Supply & Installation of new perimeter Colourbond flashings
• Make good of heritage copper flashings
• Preparation & application of new liquid waterproofing membranes to water cooling & water tank storage areas
• Emergency make safes & remediation of damaged façade brickwork elements, works all carried out by qualified abseiling tradesman
• Installation of new roof top stormwater drains
• Installation of a new VeriPave raised paving system with re-use of the heritage listed concrete pavers
• Rectification works to existing construction brick wall flashing & weephole systems
• Cooling tower structural steel repairs and new structural steel installations

The project presented several challenges primarily due to the site being a live operational environment. Working in a live hotel environment has significant challenges including access through operational goods lifts, access through live hallways, noisy works stand-downs and limited loading dock access. Furthermore, the existing waterproof membrane tested positive for asbestos. Careful consideration and coordination were required to formulate a safe methodology for dealing with this challenge in a live environment. In addition, the building houses several telecommunication transmission towers across the roof top areas. The Remediation team worked closely with the likes of Telstra, Optus and Vodafone coordinating the required shutdown periods to allow the teams to work in close proximity of the towers to complete the major scope of works. This was all managed on a daily basis with the towers being shut down every morning and reactivated at the end of the working shift. Being a hotel with a high occupancy rate, managing the noisy works was one of the crucial aspects of the project. Daily communication and forward planning with the building engineer, facilities managers and the building owners was of high priority ensuring the required works were carried out efficiently and successfully with minimal hotel disruptions.

Perfect Remediation tackled the challenges by managing the site closely and efficiently to ensure all activities were performed safely, with the approved working times, shut down periods and around the building engineer and facilities managers requirements. We coordinated closely with the hotel stake holders and managed asbestos removal & noisy works times. The Remediation team also conducted
accelerated works to complete this scope most efficiently while ensuring the hotel disruptions were kept to a minimum.

Our remediation team delivered the project successfully while managing the number of challenges on the way. Our client commended the Perfect Remediation crew on their diligent planning and commitment to safety procedures, efficiency, time management and weekly reporting throughout the project.

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