Thameside location bears testimony to MGC

Citation

(2011), "Thameside location bears testimony to MGC", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 58 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2011.12858aab.002

Thameside location bears testimony to MGC

Article Type: Methods From: Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Volume 58, Issue 1

Aside from enjoying superb views of the Thames and one of the most prestigious addresses in London, Globe House also represents a challenging location for the many building finishes, which have been employed to striking effect in its elevations.

Constructed back in 1998, the property is the UK headquarters to blue chip company, BAT, and displays an articulate blend of masonry, glass and architectural metalwork to make a strong visual contribution to Temple Place, a few hundred yards east from Charing Cross, between The Embankment and The Strand.

Medway Galvanising was involved as the specialist sub-contractor to Southampton based A.W. Jeffreys (Southampton) Ltd, the manufacturer supplying all of the balustrading for the balconies and the railings that enclose its frontage to Globe House.

The largest components treated measured some 1,100 mm tall by 2,500 mm long with an average 85 μm coating of zinc being applied in line with BS 729 – the standard at the time. This was followed by an Interpon D 25 polyester powder coat in Grey, taking the total film thickness up to around 180 μm and enabling MGC to offer a 25-year guarantee against corrosion.

The Director of A.W. Jeffreys (Southampton) Ltd, Mr Peter Gilbert comments: “We originally began working with MGC because it was a relief to find one company willing to undertake both the galvanising and the powder coating of metalwork, instead of having to bring them back here after the first process – fettle them – and then send them off for painting. Often with the two subbies complaining about each other’s work.”

“In fact we have found Medway Galvanising’s level of service and ‘turnaround’ to be top rate. The company does very high quality work and the Globe House project demonstrates how well the coatings endure in aggressive environments.”

Figure 1 Globe House, London

From its base on the Solent, A.W. Jeffreys (Southampton) Ltd covers the whole of the South Coast, across to Essex and up to the Welsh borders. In addition to railings, balconies and staircases, the architectural metalwork specialist also undertakes commissions for statuary and other ornamental pieces (Figure 1).

More information is available from: www.medgalv.co.uk