The BT Tower - A Communications Icon
Repairs
Repairs

"As well as new heating, ventilation and lighting, ceiling to floor windows have been installed on the famous 34th revolving floor to give uninterrupted views across London."


Photo: BT Tower 34th floor © LSA Oct 2002.
| EXIT | Repairs | Cladding | Lifts |

Towards the end of 1998 the aerial galleries of the Tower were shrouded in blue plastic wrappings as part of a general programme of refurbishment, preparing the building for the new Millennium. Many specialist firms had been contracted to carry out the 'make-over' on the Tower.

Externally the Tower and Podium was repaired. Internally the lifts were replaced and the corporate floors were extensively refurbished.

Concrete Cladding  (2000)

To the Podium


A £170,000 contract was let to design, manufacture and install new cladding on two elevations of the podium building at the base of the Tower.
  • Architects & Surveyors: Baily Garner
  • Contractor: Concrete Repairs Ltd
  • Engineer: Fife Belcher Grimsey & Partners

Tower and Podium
Trent Concrete detailed 262 exposed aggregate panels to match the original 1960s cladding and used stainless steel reinforcements to affect a lasting repair that will stand the test of time.


"The project has proved demanding because of the requirement to fix the panels back to the original shear wall, which was exposed once the existing cladding had been removed. Trent Concrete overcame this challenge by adopting a unique new fixing mechanism supplied by Halfen. This support fixing is drilled into the existing wall and its reinforcement stirrups then hang down ready to secure the panel from the back. Trent is the first UK company to make use of this fixing."


Photo: LSA Nov 2008
   
To the Tower

Structural Renovations Ltd carried out extensive repairs to the external cladding, all the way from level 24 up to level 37, a total height of about 145 metres. Work entailed:-
  • The erection of scaffolding around the perimeter of the concrete frame.
  • Transportation of all scaffolding and materials by the lifts, without compromising the operational workings of the Tower.
  • Design of a special cantilevered support from each exposed concrete deck.
  • Fitting of a waterproof, weather-resistant cladding system Specialist contractors, Sika Ltd, supplied the Icoment Concrete Repair System.

On 4th September 2001 BT's intranet page, BT Today announced the completion of the 2 year programme of essential restoration work "As well as new heating, ventilation and lighting, ceiling to floor windows have been installed on the famous 34th revolving floor to give uninterrupted views across London."



Lifts

Replacement of the Fastest Lifts in the UK.

Having undergone a thorough cleaning of its exterior, attention was then focussed upon the inner workings, namely the two "Express" lifts which provide the necessary access between floors.

Circa January 1999 BT Today Newsdesk reported:
The two high-speed lifts at London's BT Tower, which have been in service for the past 35 years, are being replaced. The customer centre, including ground floor, will close on Monday 1st February, and is scheduled to re-open towards the end of the year, depending on how the work progresses.

Lifts
"This 1960s building typified the dreams of many people, standing as it did for the ideals of the new technological age. It was packed with the 'best of British'."


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Photo © Elevator World 2000.
   
 
References

Elevator World Feb 2000
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