The Granton Gas Holder project challenged our team to set new heights for controlled demolition, meticulous planning, and proactive risk management. Located in a heritage-rich, high-profile urban zone, the structure posed complex technical and safety requirements. Our approach, backed by our robust RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement) documentation, reflects our commitment to ensuring all activities are performed as safely, efficiently, and clearly as possible. This case study details how we planned, delivered, and evaluated the Granton Gas Holder demolition, making sure all residual risks were as low as practicable while accomplishing the client’s ambitions. 

Project Overview and Scope

JBV worked alongside VHE Construction, to deliver the demolition phase for McLaughlin and Harvey on behalf of Edinburgh city council.

Almost immediately, the size and location of the Granton Gas Holder demanded a tailored strategy; the gas holder being 77m dimeter and 12m deep, coupled with a 44m listed frame that was in the process of being refurbished. The site’s proximity to both residential and commercial districts required us to factor in rigorous controls not just for site personnel, but for anyone likely to be affected by project activities outside the immediate workspace. Our scope covered:

• Creating openings through circa 20% of the roof
• Systematic deconstruction of structural elements
• Removal and disposal of hazardous materials
• Site preparation for redevelopment
• Preservation where necessary of historical features
• Minimising disturbance to neighbouring businesses and residents

The gas holder itself stood as a local landmark for decades. Decommissioning it required a considerate methodology, not only for structural integrity but also for managing risks linked with ageing industrial infrastructures.

Detailed Project Planning and Programme

Our preparatory phase began with a deep dive into the structure’s original design, historical maintenance data and current physical condition. Before mobilising plant or operatives to site, we conducted extensive surveys and engaged with stakeholders to align expectations and final outputs. Critical milestones included:

• Pre-demolition surveys and risk assessment reviews
• Submission and approval of the Safety, Health and Environmental Management Plan
• Early site set-up and mobilisation
• Safe access design to the holders crown and removal of circa 20% of covering
• A staged dismantling sequence, ensuring stability throughout
• Demolition and waste management, final clean-up and handover

Our timeline was anchored by a clearly defined programme of works, monitored and updated as the project developed. This disciplined scheduling limited the impact of external variables, such as weather and supply chains, ensuring an efficient path from start to finish.

Key Team Members and Resource Coordination

Delivering a safe demolition required the assembled skills of our experienced staff. The project leadership’s sign-off on all major documentation underpinned our professional standards. For this project, document authorisation carried the signatures of JBV’s Demolition Engineer and Health and Safety Manager; both pivotal in ensuring every operational step met or exceeded legislative and client requirements.

We brought together a select group of demolition specialists, heavy plant operators, hot works experts, and safety supervisors. The team’s combined expertise allowed us to adjust the methodology in response to detailed on-site findings, without ever compromising on compliance or safety. All operatives held up-to-date qualification certificates—each thoroughly checked before assignment.

Health, Safety and Environmental Protection: Our Top Priorities

At the heart of our method statement and work philosophy sits our commitment to safety and environmental responsibility. Demolishing a gas holder carries unique hazards: confined spaces, potential for hot works, heavy lifting, and the management of older construction materials, possibly including hazardous substances.

Before commencing on-site activities, thorough risk assessments were conducted and attached to our project file. We introduced robust arrangements for regularly reviewing and updating control measures to adapt quickly to any unexpected site condition changes. Specific programme features included:

• Permits for high-risk activities, including hot works and confined space entry
• Toolbox talks delivered to all site operatives, ensuring immediate hazard awareness
• Rigorous supervision across all work fronts, headed by qualified personnel
• Explicit PPE requirements for every task, with regular spot checks
• Adherence to COSHH guidelines for all materials on site
• Noise, manual handling and environmental controls to protect workers and neighbours

Our spillage containment and first-aid arrangements ensured quick, effective response to any incident. The first-aid kit content and check sheet were diligently kept up-to-date, with all paperwork filed post project in site records.

Meticulous Methodology and Sequence of Works

The gas holder’s demolition wasn’t a matter of brute force. We knew that dismantling required careful sequencing, using mechanical and manual techniques thoughtfully to protect both our people and the surrounding environment. The step-by-step process included:

• Establishing safe means of access, through scaffolded and MEWP-onto the holder crown
• Installing fall-capture system and other safety devices at critical points for safe work form the holder crown
• Venting the holder naturally and verification of atmosphere safety inside the annulus to allow dewatering and historic sludge removal
• Design and instillation of an access ramps for both machine and person
• Sectional removal of metalwork—starting from non-loadbearing elements, working systematically to more critical load paths
• Progressive dismantling of the frame, using tracked demolition plant for both reach and safety controls

Access and egress were vital, particularly when working in and around the annulus. Ramps constructed in concert with scaffolders provided the secure entry essential for both equipment and operatives. We utilised our in house, certified heavy lift team for larger component removal, requiring properly documented lifting plans and plant inspection certificates.

Throughout, our supervisors monitored works for compliance and safety, adjusting personnel deployment and sequencing as required. When hot works were scheduled, additional monitoring took place, including dedicated fire watch presence and removal of combustible debris from work fronts.

Developing the RAMS: Methodology and Integration

Our RAMS documentation wasn’t just a paper exercise – it became the blueprint for every action on site. JBV’s engineers built a 3D model of the holder model, allowing visual and data-driven coordination right from the outset. This three-dimensional view helped everyone, from engineers and operatives to client-side auditors, to understand demolition sequences, logistics, exclusion zones and safety arrangements instantly. 

Our RAMS covered:  

• Detailed structural assessment and collapse modelling
• Step-by-step method statements for each demolition stage
• Resident and stakeholder engagement strategy, including regular briefings
• Emergency procedures, site traffic management, and access restrictions
• Arrangements for handling hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead-based paints

Drawing on lessons from previous, similar projects, we embedded flexibility in our plans. Our risk register was a live document, updated in collaboration with supervisors, safety representatives, and our client’s project team. Residual risks were recorded, reviewed, and tracked as the works progressed, not just at the outset. 

Risk Register – Identification, Mitigation, and Communication

The risk register was more than a compliance tool; it was a working reference for the entire site team. Day-to-day, supervisors hosted briefings using the latest data, and new hazards were identified and mitigated as soon as practical. For instance, weather changes affecting dust or noise propagation prompted immediate updates and corresponding control measures. 

Temporary Works, Site Controls and Environmental Considerations

Temporary works begin with a clear scheme, reviewed by senior management for structural soundness and practical execution. On this project, that covered not only scaffold design and certification, but also traffic management and pedestrian safety arrangements for the perimeter.

We took great care to manage dust, noise and vibration, using suppression as needed and programming noisier works to hours that would limit disruption to local residents and businesses. Waste removal and recycling formed part of our methodical approach, with all materials managed by licenced carriers to approved facilities.

Training, Professional Qualifications, and Competency

Delivering works like the Granton Gas Holder project safely hinges on the strength of our team. We invest heavily in skills development and monitor competency continuously. Each supervisor, demolition engineer, machine operator, and demolition worker receive relevant vocational training.

We view ongoing development as a must, not a luxury. Each operative attended regular refresher sessions. New guidance – whether from HSE, British Standards or industry publications – was quickly integrated into method statements, giving everyone up-to-date skills. This was monitored through signed records and spot checks by our management team, creating a culture where everyone was empowered to speak up if they ever felt unsure. 

Collaboration: Client, Stakeholders, and Community

The Granton project made it clear: demolition of highly visible, urban structures has ripple effects beyond the site boundary. We acted early to engage with both local residents and official bodies – making sure impacts were anticipated, measured, and kept to a minimum. Our engineering team used the BIM model not just for our own design, but to illustrate demolition phases for third parties, demystifying sequencing and impact controls for non-specialists. 

Particular examples included:  

• Hosting regular walk-through briefings for the client, local council officers, and key stakeholders. These covered upcoming activities and expected impacts, such as traffic restrictions, controlled collapse times, and dust mitigation plans.
• Dedicated contact numbers for the project team – any concerns, including noise, traffic, or air quality, were responded to within the same working day.

A key outcome: site users and residents understood both the need for strict exclusion periods and the rationale for visible dust and noise controls. This transparency helped prevent misunderstanding and fostered goodwill. Client-side managers were kept up to speed via weekly progress meetings and site tours at critical milestones. 

Innovations and Value Added

This project offered the opportunity to push new technologies and smarter processes. Our use of BIM went beyond the conventional, allowing the visualisation of both the structure and site logistics – from crane locations to welfare units and emergency access routes. The model was tied to method statements, so if a sequence changed, all practitioners could see how and when their tasks or movements would be affected.

Additionally, the implementation of real-time environmental monitoring added significant value. Air quality sensors provided live feedback to the site team, enabling immediate interventions when thresholds were approached or exceeded—practically demonstrating our commitment to proactive management of dust and pollutants. Vibration and noise monitoring stations were similarly linked to our central project dashboard, allowing patterns to be quickly detected, with mitigation refined in partnership with environmental specialists. 

Summary Statement

The Granton Gas Holder demolition exemplifies our capability in executing high-risk, sensitive industrial projects with diligence and professionalism. This project stands as a testament to our capacity for delivering complex urban demolitions, blending technical expertise with robust risk management and proactive community relations. The legacy of the Granton Gas Holder demolition is not only a safe, clear site but also a strengthened commitment to continual improvement, innovation, and leadership in the demolition sector.

We ensured that this landmark’s deconstruction was performed seamlessly, with due regard for community and environment—and that this section of Edinburgh is now ready for its next chapter.