Fire Damage, Inspection, Demolition & Rebuild

Following a significant fire at a six-bay industrial portal frame building at Bowburn Industrial Estate in Durham, Techne Engineering was appointed to assess the structure and advise on the appropriate next steps.

Our first priority was to establish whether the building was safe for entry. Initial inspections were carried out using remote methods, including drone surveys, allowing us to identify areas that were safe and unsafe without exposing personnel to unnecessary risk. Based on these findings, we advised on temporary stability measures and developed a safe demolition strategy.

The agreed demolition sequence involved the removal of three of the six bays of the existing structure. Following demolition, we were appointed to design the replacement structure, replicating the original form while upgrading the design to meet current standards.

Detailed surveys of the retained bays were undertaken, including high-level inspections using MEWPs to accurately measure existing steel elements and inform the new design. Throughout the project, we worked closely with the contractor to support both the demolition and reconstruction phases.

From initial inspection to completion of the new structure, the project was delivered in under 12 months, helping to minimise disruption and rental loss for the client.