Being as the roof is so fragile it looks like your best option is to use mobile working platforms or possibly bespoke scaffolding with casters so they can be easily moved from one location to another. A MEWP (scissor lift) might be an alternative or used where access for the platforms may be difficult.

If you do need to access the roof then I suggest either crash decks or netting.

Could you support the roof with scaffolding from the inside in sections, then have a running line from end to end on the top to anchor a person to or create fixed anchor points and have an abseiler do the painting etc ( all with it being fully supported from underneath. Or something like that.

Just a thought

Chris

Originally Posted by: Lee Mac

Chris,

 However my concern is that the tin may break if weight were added which could result in the absailer's leg, or another body part, going through the tin and being injured.

By fully supported I had in mind a plywood or similar proforma matching the curve directly under (touching) the wriggly tin. so a big semi circle with scaffold at its heart. Then work section at a time moving the internal structure and reassmbling it in next position.

Chris

CDM Regulations apply to the Project as you describe it.

From a competency perspective, respectfully, you're out of your depth and CDM demands that competency.

There are expert companies out there who specialise in building and refurbing this type of barrel-vault construction and time and money would be well spent in engaging with them.

First stage would be competent survey to confirm which sections need to be replaced. Then you need to find out if replacement sections can be sourced at a practicable cost. Installation could involve winching sections up and over using stays and bracing ropes, securing to purlins from inside and weather sealing from outside - but please go and ask the expert principal contractor!

Don't let people tell you there's no mobile access that can reach - you bet there is. Painting (last stage) can be done with rollers from MEWP baskets.

This might be a silly question, but if the structure is in such a fragile state, should you be trying to re-paint it? You might find that once you start the re-painting, the structure starts to crumble, so the money you have spent on means of access will have been wasted, as there might be no realistic alternative to demolishing it. It is already at least 70 years old, and not the most robust of structures when it was built. Nothing lasts forever.

I'm not an expert on aircraft hangars Ron, but I did wonder about the description of the hangar as 'tin'. Since so much metal was commandeered by the government in the second world war, for the war effort, I would have thought something a bit more substantial would have been used. Galvanised sheeting comes to mind, but perhaps this wasn't available.

I was just making the point that the question was about how to do something, whereas the question of should it be done didn't appear to have been considered.

Thanks Guys you all have tried to be helpful and I do appreciate taking the time out.

BTW it is tin, nothing more but definitely less with the amount of holes in it!

@Ron, obviously you have got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning with "don't let them tell you..", "I don't know whether to laugh or cry..." and "you are out of your depth" these are not very helpful to say the least.

I am over 30 years in H&S, from advisor, to manager and now director. All of our projects have and continue to fall under CDM. People make such a mountain out of CDM, it's not rocket science, my advice is read the regs, and the guidance, and read again it will eventually bed in.

My motto is if you haven't something positive to add then try to avoid adding anything.

My work is never the same, from high end clean rooms refurbs & new builds, to high rise demoltions, asbestos removals, soil contaminations, to new builds incl churches, hospitals, apartments, housing to an airport including several hangars and now to painting and refurbishing an old airport hangar. 

We employ subcontractors to address the work, I was merely testing the water to see what others may have done.

@Everyone else thanks again for the positive proposals put forward it is very much appreciated.

Originally Posted by: Ron Hunter

You're very welcome.

As for a roof made of tin sheet - nope, sorry I don't buy that.

Tin currently sells ( according to the London metals exchange) at nearly $20000 per tonne. If it was tin I would sell it and buy a new building.