News from Swart & Sons

This is the place to come for anything and everything you want to know about our business, from new products and services, staff profiles, government regulations and industry news.

Make it a habit to come back here every now and then... stories get added and updated on a regular basis and there's always something new to look at.

Kingston water tower rocking a fresh refurb

Swart & Sons recently assisted SA Water with a facelift of the 33 metre high water storage tower in Kingston SE.

Concrete repairs

The importance of getting it right

The specification and application of intumescent coatings is much more complicated than just "slapping a coat of paint on". Whereas decorative finishes are just that, intumescent coatings protect the structure of a building and - more importantly - its inhabitants. A recently published article highlights the importance of following correct procedures and the consequences if you don't.

Intumescent coatings
Passive fire protection

Building fire protection layers

On the 14th of June 2017, a devastating fire broke out at the Grenfell Tower in west London, killing 72 people. The incident is the deadliest building fire in the UK. However, this was not the first facade fire that resulted in fatalities. The Summerland Leisure Centre fire on the Isle of Man on August 2, 1973, killed 50 people and shares many similarities with the Grenfell fire. What have we learned since either catastrophe?

Passive fire protection

Passive fire protection and the importance of limiting temperature for steel structure

All materials become weaker when they get hot, and structural steel is not an exception. Depending on the design of the structure, the steel will have a limiting or critical temperature. What does this mean, and why is it important ? How does it affect the amount of protection needed ?

Passive fire protection
Structural steel

Heritage-listed Albert Bridge, Adelaide

In early 2015, the City of Adelaide Council sought to restore the Albert Bridge to its former glory. The bridge, located over the River Torrens on Frome Road was opened in 1879 and is the oldest, large road bridge in the Adelaide city area. The scope consisted of cleaning and painting the above deck areas of the bridge, stonework repairs, masonry restoration and the removal of graffiti.

Case studies
Heritage restoration

Regency Road to Pym Street (R2P) Project

Swart & Sons were contracted to carry out painting and concrete repair works on a number of the components of this major government funded project, including the Regency Road overbridge, walkways and ramps, concrete panels and steel gantries. The majority of the work was carried out directly for the R2P Alliance (McConnell Dowell) with additional work undertaken for other contractors on the project.

Protective coatings
Concrete repairs
Case studies

Bridge pier strengthening, Southend, SA

In May 2020 we tendered to carry out work on Cape Buffon Drive over the Lake Frome outlet drain. After consideration by the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board (SEWCDB), Swart & Sons were awarded the contract to prepare the piers, apply protective coatings and install a fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) jacket system. All work was carried out in accordance with the specification and scope provided by SEWCDB.

Protective coatings
Concrete repairs
Case studies
Remediation
Structural repairs

Three bridges, Adelaide Hills

In April 2018 Swart & Sons were contracted by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) to carry out cleaning and protective treatment to structural steel components of three bridges in the Adelaide Hills. One of the bridges contained lead paint so strict WHS and environmental conditions needed to be adhered to, ensuring no lead residue affected Swart workers, members of the public or the environment.

Protective coatings
Structural steel
Case studies

Limiting Steel Temperatures and Structural Steel Fire Protection in Australia

Passive fire protection is considered the last line of defence when a fire cannot be contained and active fire suppression systems are depleted, or do not operate as expected. Maintaining structural adequacy on load bearing members in a fire event is critical to the safety of building occupants, fire fighters and the surrounding built environment.

Passive fire protection
Intumescent coatings
Structural steel

Zinga film galvanising system

The Zinga Film Galvanising System is a one-pack coating that contains 96% zinc in the dry film and provides cathodic protection of ferrous metals. Zinga differentiates from other anti-corrosion methods in combining both Passive and Active protection in an easily applied film galvanising system that not only delivers active cathodic protection but also provides a passive physical shield.

Protective coatings
Structural steel

Limiting steel temperatures to maintain structural integrity

Maintaining structural adequacy on load-bearing steel is critical to the fire safety of building occupants, fire fighters and the surrounding built environment. In the Australian structural steel passive fire protection market, product manufacturers and applicators face a difficult battle to ascertain the required LSTs on structural elements for every project. Structural fire design is not commonly included in the training of young structural engineers which in turn creates a gap within the industry from the very beginning. This includes the lack of understanding on passive fire protection and building compliance in regards to the BCA. This document offers a wealth of information to assist in maintaining the structural adequacy of steelwork... download it now and read how it's not as difficult to achieve as you may think.‍

Intumescent coatings
Passive fire protection
Structural steel

SCT Logistics

We were contacted by SCT Logistics in early 2020, subsequent to them receiving an engineer’s report regarding their facility on Ranger Road at Penfield. The steel required remediation to ensure the structural integrity of the canopy at their depot. A site visit followed which determined that approximately 4,000 lineal metres of steel needed to be treated to ensure the ongoing safety of the structure.

Protective coatings
Structural steel
Case studies

Murray River Ferry ‘Water Hen’

In late 2015/early 2016 Swart & Sons carried out cleaning and application of protective coatings to the ‘Water Hen’ ferry while it was at the Morgan dockyards for scheduled maintenance. Intial (stage one) works consisted of cleaning and preliminary blasting in accordance with DPTI specification. Once this had been completed the ferry was handed back to DPTI to complete stage two (weld testing) works. Stage three works commenced early in 2016 to conduct a final abrasive blast and application of protective coatings.

Abrasive blasting
Protective coatings
Case studies

Wild Dog Valley Road Bridge

In April 2020, we were contracted by a local council in the south-east of South Australia to carry out cleaning, surface preparation and application of protective coatings to concrete and steel components of a road bridge. Upon completion of the initial water blast, all steel handrails on the bridge were sanded by hand and the concrete posts and plinths were ground back to a clean surface to remove all contaminants. Finally, protective coatings were applied - a two-component coating system of primer and topcoat.

Concrete repairs
Protective coatings
Structural steel
Case studies

Fire Protection Awards

Swart & Sons are proud to be announced as a finalist for the 2019 Fire Protection Awards for their Certifire system.

Passive fire protection

Adelaide Desalination Plant

In July 2018 Swart & Sons were contracted by Adelaide Aqua Pty Ltd to carry out repair works on a concrete overflow tank. Works consisted of concrete repairs, abrasive blasting and application of protective coatings to the walls and floors of the tank. Due to the nature of the tank, work was considered to be ‘high risk construction work’, which incorporated working in confined spaces, risk of a person falling more than two metres plus working in an area with movement of powered mobile plant.

Concrete repairs
Abrasive blasting
Protective coatings
Case studies

Concrete Repairs, Ardrossan

Swart & Sons were contracted by Viterra in August 2018 to carry out structural concrete crack repairs to more than seventy concrete plinths at their Ardrossan property. Whilst undertaking repairs on site, we were requested to carry out additional repair works on concrete nib walls. All works were carried out in accordance with a specification provided by Viterra.

Concrete repairs
Case studies

Pedestrian Bridge Painting, Mount Waverley

Swart & Sons were contracted by VicRoads in March 2019 to remove corrosion and apply protective coatings on a pedestrian bridge over Blackburn Road at Mount Waverley. Many challenges were faced during this project due to both the complexity of the project and the ownership of land abutting the bridge, however all works were completed within the specified timeframe and to the satisfaction of VicRoads and other stakeholders.

Protective coatings
Structural repairs
Case studies

Lewis Bandt Bridge, Geelong

Swart & Sons were contracted by the South West Alliance (VicRoads) in 2018 to remediate approximately 480 metres of the metalwork railing on the outbound lane of the Lewis Bandt Bridge, located over the Moorabool River, approximately 11 kilometres from Geelong.

Case studies
Protective coatings
Structural repairs
Remediation

Electra House heritage restoration

In 2014 we were contracted by Schiavello to restore and conduct repairs to the walls and intricate plaster mouldings of Electra House. As the building is Heritage listed we used classic techniques and materials to bring the building back to its former glory. With Corinthian columns, ornate walls and six metre high ceilings this created a challenge that we were happy to accept.

Case studies
Heritage restoration
call us today on 08 8262 6226 for expert, reliable advice