EP3945176A1

EP3945176A1 - Method and device for removing of asbestos-containing corrugated plates of a roof

Info

Publication number: EP3945176A1
Application number: EP21187923.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hendrik den Besten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-31
Filing date: 2021-07-27
Publication date: 2022-02-02
Also published as: NL2026184B1

Abstract

Method for removing asbestos-containing corrugated plates from a roof. In order to remove these from a roof with less risk, use is made of a device comprising a frame that is provided with at least one vacuum cup complementary to the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate. The method comprises the steps of- arranging the device above the asbestos-containing corrugated plate using a crane or the like,- contacting the at least one vacuum cup with the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate,- engaging the asbestos-containing corrugated plate by means of vacuum, and- lifting the asbestos-containing corrugated plate with the at least one vacuum cup.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for removing asbestos-containing corrugated plates from a roof of a building, wherein the corrugated plates are fixed to supporting roof elements by means of attachment elements;
wherein, in order to remove a corrugated plate, the attachment elements of the corrugated plate are removed and the corrugated plate is lifted from the roof.
In the past many roofs of buildings, such as sheds, warehouses and stables, were provided with asbestos-containing (in this application also simply denoted corrugated plates or asbestos corrugated plates) corrugated plates as a roof covering. The material has excellent resistance to the various weather conditions and is durable.
Knowledge of the dangers of asbestos has led to prohibition against new or replacement use of asbestos as a roof covering material. Additionally, in amongst others in the Netherlands, programmes have been initiated to remove corrugated asbestos plates from existing roofs.
Such removal of asbestos likewise entails danger.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method which allows asbestos corrugated plates to be removed from a roof with less risk.
To this end, a method according to the preamble is characterized in that a device is used, the device comprising a frame that is provided with at least one vacuum cup complementary to the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate;
wherein said removing of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate comprises the steps of

arranging the device above the asbestos-containing corrugated plate by means of a lifting device,
contacting the at least one vacuum cup with the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate,
engaging the asbestos-containing corrugated plate by means of vacuum, and
lifting the asbestos-containing corrugated plate with the at least one vacuum cup.

It has been shown that in this manner a corrugated plate may be sufficiently reliably lifted and removed from the roof.
Said engaging by means of a vacuum preferably is carried out using a plurality of vacuum cups in case, due to circumstances, the vacuum is not or is not sufficiently applied. Furthermore, said engaging preferably is carried out on the tops of the corrugations of the corrugated plates. In general, less dirt which could lead to a reduced vacuum is present on the tops
Generally, after having been lifted a corrugated plate will be brought into a horizontal position and will subsequently be moved for disposal thereof.
The lifting device for instance is a crane or reaching device with a boom.
An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that, after said lifting of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate, retaining elements located on at least two opposite longitudinal edges of the corrugated plate are positioned below the asbestos-containing corrugated plate, and the asbestos-containing corrugated plate is subsequently moved.
In this manner the asbestos-containing corrugated plate is accommodated in a formfitting manner in the device. In case due to circumstances, such as wind, the engagement should fail, then the asbestos-containing corrugated plate will be held by the retaining elements and will not fall.
It is preferred that the retaining elements do not contact the corrugated plate, so that no asbestos particles are released.
An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the frame is a first frame, and wherein the device comprises a second frame, wherein

the first frame
- is attached to the second frame in a manner to be freely moveable in the vertical direction, and
- is provided with the at least one vacuum cup and an auxiliary device for unscrewing a screw,
the second frame
- comprises at least one component selected from i) a vacuum pump for the at least one vacuum cup, ii) an air compressor for driving an actuator and/or the vacuum pump, iii) a control cupboard for controlling at least one of a) at least one valve for the at least one vacuum cup, b) a tilt-rotator by means of which the second frame is connectable to the lifting device for lifting the device, c) actuators for moving an auxiliary device for unscrewing a screw;
  wherein the first frame with the at least one vacuum cup is placed on the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate and the second frame is held above the first frame by the lifting device.

Thus, it is avoided that the full weight of the device rests on the corrugated plate, as the at least one component is held by the second frame which is not supported on the corrugated plate. Additionally, due to the reduced weight there is less chance of release of asbestos fibres due to damage.
Advantageously the first element is suspended from the second frame by means of flexible elements, which flexible elements preferably have a defined maximum length. Such flexible element for instance are ropes, cables or chains.
An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the asbestos-containing corrugated plate is fixed to the supporting roof elements by means of screws as the attachment elements;
wherein the device is provided with a camera with an optical axis which extends in a direction from the second frame towards the first frame, wherein the first frame is provided with an auxiliary device, which is moveable relative to the first frame, for unscrewing a screw;
wherein

based on an image of the camera the position of the screw is determined,
the moveable auxiliary device for unscrewing the screw is moved to the screw, and
the screw is unscrewed in order to detach the asbestos-containing corrugated plate from the supporting roof element.

Generally, all screws which still hold the corrugated plate will be unscrewed using the moveable device.
In the present application, a screw is taken to mean an attachment element with a helical thread, also including a bolt.
The image of the camera is, preferably wirelessly, transmitted to a display for the person operating the device.
An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the device is provided with a container for the collecting the screws that have been removed from the roof and wherein the screw is transported by means of the moveable auxiliary device into the container.
Thus, the screws, to which asbestos particles may adhere, do not have to be collected.
An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the device is held by means of a tilt-rotator, wherein at least one part of the device which comprises the at least one vacuum cup is brought into an orientation that is parallel to the roof before the at least one vacuum cup is brought into contact with the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate.
Thus, the device may be brought into contact with the asbestos-containing corrugated plate in an efficient manner. In case the device comprises a first frame and a second frame as described above, the first frame will be brought into an orientation parallel to the roof before the at least one vacuum cup is brought into contact with the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate.
An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the device comprises two parallel longitudinally extending support elements;
and the first element is placed with the support elements onto the surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate in the valleys thereof, after which the asbestos-containing corrugated plate is engaged by means of vacuum.
Thus, the at least one vacuum cup is automatically aligned with respect to the complementary surface where the at least one vacuum cup should engage. This also provides a fixed distance between the at least one vacuum cup and the surface in case it is to be moved towards the surface in order to engage. In case of a moveable device for the unscrewing a screw, also the positioning thereof, at least in one direction (parallel to the roofs ridge), is facilitated control-wise, as the screws are generally only provided on tops of corrugated plate. That is to say, if the support elements are spaced at such a distance that there are five tops in between, then automatically there the five possible locations in a direction parallel to the corrugated plate and transverse to the support elements are known in that direction.
An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that after an asbestos-containing plate has been handed off, air is flushed out of the vacuum cups in order to remove any dirt that may have been sucked into the device via the vacuum cups.
Thus the device may continue to operate reliably. In case of dirty roofs said flushing may occur prior to the removal of each plate.
Finally, the present invention relates to a device for the removing asbestos-containing corrugated plates from a roof of a building;, wherein the device comprises a frame that is provided with at least one vacuum cup complementary to the top surface of an asbestos-containing corrugated plate, and
the frame is provided with an auxiliary device, which is moveable relative to the frame, for unscrewing a screw.
Such a device is suitable for use with the method of the invention.
An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the device comprises retaining elements for retaining a corrugated plate that is being held with the at least one vacuum cup of the device.
With such a device it is possible to prevent the asbestos-containing corrugated plate from falling in case of failure of the at least one vacuum cup.
An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the frame is a first frame, and wherein the device comprises a second frame, wherein

the first frame
- is attached to the second frame in a manner to be freely movable in the vertical direction, and
- is provided with the at least one vacuum cup and an auxiliary device for the unscrewing a screw,
the second frame
- comprises at least one component selected from i) a vacuum pump for the at least one vacuum cup, ii) an air compressor for driving an actuator and/or the vacuum pump, iii) a control cupboard for controlling at least one of a) at least one valve for the at least one vacuum cup, b) a tilt-rotator by means of which the second frame is connectable to the lifting device for lifting the device, c) actuators for moving an auxiliary device for unscrewing a screw.

Thus, it may be avoided that during use the full weight of the device rests on the corrugated plate, as the at least one component is held by the second frame which is not supported on the corrugated plate. Additionally, due to the reduced weight there is less chance of release of asbestos fibred due to damage.
An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the first frame is connected to the second frame by means of flexible elements.
Such flexible elements for instance are ropes, cables or chains. Preferably, the flexible elements have a defined maximum length.
The present invention will now be elucidated by means of the figures, in which

Fig. 1 shows a roof with asbestos plates, as well as a crane with a device for said removal of asbestos plates;
Figs. 2A - Fig. 2C respectively show a perspective view, a side view and a rear view of the device of Fig. 1;
Figs. 3A and Fig. 3B show perspective views of part of the device of Fig. 2A on an asbestos-containing corrugated plate; and
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a detail of the device of Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a roof 190 with supporting roof elements 191 (purlins 191) onto which asbestos-containing corrugated plates 192 have been attached which are to be removed. This is carried out with the aid of a lifting device 195 (here a reaching device) which comprises a boom 196 that is provided with a universal coupling piece 197. The lifting device 195 is provided, via the universal coupling piece 197, which device 100 according to the invention for the removal of corrugated plates 192.
Figs. 2A - Fig. 2C respectively show a perspective view, a side view and a rear view of the device 100 of Fig. 1.
The device 100 comprises a first frame 210 and a second frame 220, wherein the first frame 210 is suspended from the second frame 220 by means of flexible elements 230, here in the form of chains 230,.
During use of the device 100, the first frame 210 is placed onto an asbestos-containing corrugated plate 192 of the roof 190 and the crane 195 holds the second frame 220 above the roof 190 in such a manner that the weight of the second frame 220 with auxiliary equipment present thereon, does not rest on the roof 190 rust. During this, the chains 230 will be slack, which can be easily seen from a distance by the crane-operator operating the crane.
The first frame 210 is equipped with a plurality of vacuum cups 211 which are provided with a vacuum by a vacuum pump 240 which is attached to the second frame 220 in order to limit the load on the corrugated plate 192. Located there as well are a control cupboard 250 for amongst other controlling the vacuum, a compressor 241 for the driving actuators), an oil-and-liquid filter 242 and a buffer vessel 243 for the vacuum.
De device 100 is provided with a dirt filter 217; in the embodiment shown here this has been placed on the first frame 210.
In order to align the device 100 two parallel elongated support elements 212 are used, here in the form of tubes 212, which are spaced at such a distance that the centrelines are arranged at a multiple of the distance of the wavelengths of the corrugated plate 192. Thus, the first frame 210 with the support elements 212 is easily placed into and aligned with the valleys of the corrugated plate 192. Thus, also the vacuum cups 211 are automatically place above and into contact with the tops of the corrugated plate 192 and the tops can be engaged by means of vacuum.
In the preferred embodiment of the device 100 according to the invention discussed here, the first frame 210 comprises an unscrewing-unit 260 for unscrewing bolts with which the corrugated plates 192 are attached to the roof 190. The unscrewing unit 260 may be moved in XYZ-direction, for instance by means formed by linear motors 262 or guides 262 with a double-acting piston, deposited to and into a container 214 (tray 214), as asbestos particles may adhere to the bolts and these should also safely be disposed of. The camera 280 can be returned to the original position of the bolt to check whether it indeed has been removed.
In the preferred embodiment of the device 100 according to the invention as discussed here, the first frame 210 comprises a camera 280 which is movable together with the unscrewing-unit 260. The camera 280 faces downwards. When the camera 280 has determined the precise location of a bolt, due to the fixed distance between the unscrewing unit 260 and the3 camera and the alignment of the device 100, the unscrewing unit 260 correspondingly is moved to the location of the bolt and subsequently placed in the Z-direction over the head of the bolt in order to remove it.
The use of a moveable unscrewing unit 260 and the use of a camera 280 allow the corrugated plates 192 to be removed without any personnel on the roof 190. In prior art practise this was dangerous work (due to the height) and because of the possibility of release of asbestos fibres which required the use of safety-suits and pressurized air mask, which is hard work and makes the endeavour a costly one. With the method according to the invention in principle 1 person, the crane operator, suffices, which person is located at a large distance from the work and does not have to carry out physically demanding work. The method according to the invention allows removal of a corrugated plate from a roof in less than 1 minute.
A roof 190 that is provide with corrugated plates 192 in generally is an inclined roof. Use of a tilt-rotator 291 that is provided between the coupling piece 197 and the second frame 220 allows the second frame 220 to be tilted. This tilts the first frame 210 in a corresponding manner and allows the first frame 210 to be placed onto the roof with an angle of inclination which corresponds approximately with the angle of inclination of the roof.
The device 100 typically comprises a large number of vacuum cups (e.g. at least 8; in the embodiment under discussing 30), in case dirt on or a tear in the corrugated plate 192 results in loss of underpressure. Advantageously vacuum cups which provide insufficient vacuum force (i.e. which have accidental air intake) are closed, which is known per se in the field of vacuum technology. In order to be complementary with the surface a vacuum cup may comprise an elastically resilient collar, which advantageously is already pre-formed in accordance with a top of a corrugated plate.
Fig. 3A shows a part of the device 100 of Fig. 2A on a corrugated plate 192.
When the vacuum fails or the wind force exerted on the corrugated plate 192 is greater than the vacuum, the corrugated plate 192 could fall which could release asbestos- particles. In the embodiment shown here, the first frame 210 is provided on its lower and upper longitudinal edge with retaining elements 215 which comprise a retaining beam 216, which retaining elements 215 may be in a first position (Fig. 3A) in which the retaining beams 216 is arranged above the corrugated plate and in a second position (Fig. 3B) in which the retaining beams 216 are arranged below the corrugated plate 192. The actuators used for this are cylinders 380, which too are controlled by the control cupboard 250. The retaining elements 215 preferably are also provided with stop faces 317 which help prevent a corrugated plate 192, which due to circumstances is no longer held by vacuum and is supported on the retaining beams 216, from sliding off.
In order to hold the screw 493 the embodiment discussed here (Fig. 4) makes use of a pivotable support 470 with a recess 471 for accommodating the body 494 of the screw 493, wherein the support 470 is brought by turning below the head 495 of the screw 493 when this has been rotated somewhat upwards but still is located in the purlin 191. Subsequently the screw 493 is completely unscrewed.

Claims

Method for removing asbestos-containing corrugated plates (192) from a roof (190) of a building, wherein the corrugated plates (192) are fixed to supporting roof elements (191) by means of attachment elements (493);
wherein, in order to remove a corrugated plate (192), the attachment elements (493) of the corrugated plate (192) are removed and the corrugated plate (192) is lifted from the roof (190);

characterized in that a device (100) is used, the device (100) comprising a frame that is provided with at least one vacuum cup (211) complementary to the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192);
wherein said removing of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) comprises the steps of
- arranging the device(100) above the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) by means of a lifting device (195),

- contacting the at least one vacuum cup (211) with the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192),

- engaging the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) by means of vacuum, and

- lifting the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) with the at least one vacuum cup (211).
Method according to claim 1, wherein after said lifting of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192), retaining elements (215) located on at least two opposite longitudinal edges of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) are positioned below the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192), and the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) is subsequently moved.
Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame is a first frame (210) and wherein the device (100) comprises a second frame (220), wherein
- the first frame (210)
- is attached to the second frame (220) in a manner to be freely moveable in vertical direction, and

- is provided with the at least one vacuum cup (211) and an auxiliary device (260) for unscrewing a screw (493),

- the second frame (220)
- comprises at least one component selected from i) a vacuum pump (240) for the at least one vacuum cup (211), ii) an air compressor for driving an actuator and/or the vacuum pump (240), iii) a control cupboard (250) for controlling at least one of a) at least one valve for the at least one vacuum cup (211), b) a tilt-rotator (291) by means of which the second frame (220) is connectable to the lifting device (195) for lifting the device (100), c) actuators for moving an auxiliary device (260) for unscrewing a screw (493);
wherein the first frame (210) with the at least one vacuum cup (211) is arranged on the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) and the second frame (220) is held above the first frame (210) with the lifting device (195).
Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) is fixed to the supporting roof elements (191) by means of screws as the attachment elements;
wherein the device (100) is provided with a camera (280) with an optical axis which extends in a direction from the second frame (220) towards the first frame (210), wherein the first frame (210) is provided with an auxiliary device (260), which is moveable relative to the first frame (210), for unscrewing screw (493);
wherein
- based on an image of the camera (280) the position of the screw (493) is determined,

- the moveable auxiliary device (260) for unscrewing the screw (493) is moved to the screw (493), and

- the screw (493) is unscrewed in order to detach the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) from the supporting roof element.
Method according to claim 4, wherein the device (100) is provided with a container (214) for collecting the screws (493) that have been removed from the roof (190) and wherein the screw (493) is transported by the moveable auxiliary device (260) into the container (214).
Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (100) is held by means of a tilt-rotator (291), wherein at least one part of the device (100) which comprises the at least one vacuum cup is brought into an orientation that is parallel to the roof (190) before the at least one vacuum cup (211) is brought into contact with the top surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192).
Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (100) comprises two parallel longitudinally extending support elements (212);
and the first element is placed with the support elements (212) onto the surface of the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) in the valleys thereof, after which the asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192) is engaged by means of vacuum.
Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein after an asbestos-containing plate (192) has been handed off, air is flushed out of the vacuum cups (211) in order to remove any dirt that may have been sucked into the device (100) via the vacuum cups (211).
Device (100) for removing asbestos-containing corrugated plates (192) from a roof (190) of a building;
characterized in that the device (100) comprises a frame that is provided with at least one vacuum cup (211) complementary to the top surface of an asbestos-containing corrugated plate (192), and

the frame is provided with an auxiliary device (260), which is moveable relative to the frame, for unscrewing a screw (493).
Device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the device (100) comprises retaining elements (215) for retaining a corrugated plate (192) that is being held with the at least one vacuum cup (211) of the device (100).
Device (100) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the frame is a first frame (210), and wherein the device (100) comprises a second frame (220), wherein
- the first frame (210)
- is attached to the second frame (220) in a manner to be freely moveable in vertical direction, and

- is provided with the at least one vacuum cup (211) and an auxiliary device (260) for unscrewing a screw (493),

- the second frame (220)
- comprises at least one component selected from i) a vacuum pump for the at least one vacuum cup (211), ii) an air compressor for driving an actuator and/or the vacuum pump (240), iii) a control cupboard (250) for controlling at least one of a) at least one valve for the at least one vacuum cup (211), b) a tilt-rotator (291) by means of which the second frame (220) is connectable to the lifting device (195) for lifting the device (100), c) actuators for moving an auxiliary device (260) for unscrewing a screw (493).
Device (100) according to claim 11, wherein the first frame (210) is connected to the second frame (220) by means of flexible elements (230).