Client: BAM Construction, Birmingham
The Banana Warehouse on Fazeley Street is the new filming location of the popular TV show, MasterChef.
The BBC announced a relocation of the studio from London to Birmingham in February 2022.
The Grade II listed properties’ external canopy required extensive repairs before production crews could be allowed in to start filming. Large sections of the timber supports had become degraded and needed to be replaced.
Construction of the new studio included a brand-new roof, soundproofing measures and enlarged openings with plans for an extension next to the main soundstage for contestants’ dressing rooms.
Challenges
With the upcoming production of the new MasterChef season, special care was taken to ensure that work was completed on-time and potential delays in supply and labour avoided.
Most of the roof timbers had decayed and needed completely replacing. Our surveyors worked with the client to inspect all the rafters from Bay 1 to 7 of the canopy, including all timber supports and ironworks.
Heavy timbers would need to be moved upwards using supports and temporary propping. Precise cuts and joinery would be required to fit material into the proper places.
Working on the external canopy did present us with a final major challenge, working at height over a running canal.
Solutions
Specially designed and constructed scaffolding was provided by the main contractor to support strenuous task of transporting and lifting the heavy equipment necessary for moving the heaviest timbers.
Our surveyors inspected the roof multiple times before starting repairs, ensuring that all damage was recorded and double-checked for an efficient survey and an effective repair.
Health and safety are always a top priority, so many considerations were taken for the safety of our surveyors. Scaffolding was tested to ensure the highest of safety guidelines and all technicians received new specialist training for working in the precarious environment above the canal. Every technician also received their own brand-new life jacket, purchased especially for this project. Extreme caution was observed whilst working at height with life-jackets being worn at all times.
Technicians worked on one bay at a time with repairs to the truss, purlins, rafters and front wall plates of each bay. Repairs were focused on the worst affected areas, Bay 1 & 7, before working outwards taking extra care to inspect and replace rafters where required.
Several large section timbers needed to be precisely cut and accurately joined and bonded. Inclined truss braces were cut approximately 1 metre to allow for the removal of the iron shoes to trusses 3, 4, 5 & 6. All remaining timbers were replaced like for like.
Results
The work was completed on schedule within the estimated 16-week timeframe to an extremely high standard and the highest health and safety standards were observed by our Birmingham team, with no incident. All large section timbers were spliced to exact specifications where required and new sarking was installed to the client’s specification.
Our client was exceptionally pleased with our work, and we are very excited to see the newly furnished property featured on the newest season of MasterChef.
Are You in Need of Property Care?
Our dedicated and experienced Birmingham team is ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to contact Timberwise via our form above, by calling on 0121 412 9315 or you can request a survey online.
