Tesco gets purpose-built import centre

Approximately 4,200t of steelwork has been erected by Atlas Ward Structures for Tesco’s first purpose-built import centre in Teesport. The project was awarded on behalf of main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland.

Known as Project Sun, the job consists of a single warehouse offering 92,903m² of storage space which is split into high and low bay sections.

The high bay storage area is 151m long, 36m high and has 5 x 42m spans. Running the length of the back elevation of the structure there is a 14m high, 31m span lean-to which also runs into the low bay section.

Andrew Bramley, Atlas Ward Project Manager, said all columns in the high bay area are spliced members and were all positioned specifically to suit the warehouse internal racking and conveyor systems.

The attached low bay section is 368m long, 14.5m high and has 4 x 31m spans.

The project also has a number of single storey ancillary pods attached to the low bay area including a goods in/out pod, a mechanical handling equipment maintenance workshop, a battery charge pod, staircase enclosures and a separate vehicle maintenance unit.

“Based on our experience of numerous similarly sized structures the most important consideration is health & safety, while working at such heights in an open site. To ensure this was achieved numerous meetings took place upfront with the main contractor to provide a special ground solution to facilitate plant working at such height and with the cladder to maintain temporary stability at all stages of the build,” explains Mr Bramley.

In conjunction with Atlas Ward Structures; its Light Steel Division was responsible for the project’s stairs package, including the 36m high, roof access in the high bay area. This meant both packages were designed and detailed in the same 3D model which generated benefits in cost and programme.