Project overview
The steel package included floor beams, columns, connection plates and a substantial cranked portal supporting the new roof structure. The project progressed from survey and detailing through fabrication and HIAB delivery to site.
Our approach
Design & planning
George from MAH Steel’s drawing office attended site to carry out a detailed survey and confirm the actual dimensions and constraints. Working with Jamie ‘Jay’ Poole and the site team, he helped develop a practical solution that allowed the chimney to remain in place while maintaining the required structural steel layout. The fabrication drawings were then updated to reflect the confirmed site conditions, including revised column positions and connection details. This site-led approach reduced the risk of fabrication based on assumptions and helped keep the project moving.
Fabrication
Once the revised dimensions were confirmed, the steelwork was fabricated in our workshop to the updated drawings. The package included UC and UB sections, columns, fabricated flat plates, stiffeners, brackets, splices and the cranked portal frame. Particular care was required around the portal geometry and altered connection positions so that the fabricated members corresponded with the surveyed site conditions. Workshop photographs show the steel being cut and prepared prior to delivery.
Delivery & installation
The completed steelwork was loaded at MAH Steel and delivered to Meopham using our HIAB-equipped lorry. The delivery was coordinated around a live residential construction site with extensive scaffolding and an evolving roof structure. By resolving the chimney and dimensional issues before final fabrication, the steel arrived with the revised details already incorporated, helping the site team continue the build without unnecessary rework. Site photographs show the steel integrated into the new floor and roof structure as the loft conversion progressed.
Outcome
- Existing chimney successfully retained within the revised construction arrangement
- Site survey used to confirm critical dimensions before final fabrication
- Revised column positions, brackets and connection details incorporated into the drawings
- Cranked portal and supporting steelwork fabricated to suit the confirmed roof geometry
- Coordinated workshop fabrication and HIAB delivery helped minimise disruption and rework
- Steelwork successfully incorporated into the developing loft and roof structure
MAH Steel were excellent throughout the project. When we decided to retain the existing chimney, it created an unexpected issue with the original steel layout, but Jamie and George quickly worked with us to find a solution. George attended site, carried out a survey, and revised the details to suit the actual conditions. The steel was then fabricated and delivered as required, helping us keep the project moving with minimal disruption.
Gallery
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