Scope of Works

Structural Steel Installation  Farm Barn Restoration Project.

Butterfield of Skipton (BOS) was recently contracted to carry out a structural steel installation for a farm barn restoration Project (in collaboration with SPS Roofing)

This project involved the restoration of a collapsed barn roof on a working farm. The original oak beams had failed, compromising the structural integrity of the building. SPS Roofing were first on site and carefully removed the original stone slates, storing them securely on the scaffolding for later reinstatement.

All new steel trusses and beams were fabricated in our workshop and delivered to site. Installation was carried out using our lorry-mounted crane, with all lifting managed by our team. Fitting the steelwork proved challenging due to the irregular shape and movement of the old building over time. Ensuring the steel was level and correctly aligned required careful adjustment and experience.

After the steel had been securely installed and fixed in place, a local builder walled the steel into its final position to ensure it tied in with the existing structure.
Once the steelwork was complete, SPS Roofing returned to re-roof the barn using the original reclaimed stone slates.

This job presented several logistical challenges, particularly around site access. Our lorry-mounted crane could only be set up on one side of the barn, as the vehicle was too large to access the other side of the farmyard. To overcome this, we used a large boom-type MEWP with extended reach to work safely and effectively across the full span of the roof.

All works were carried out while the farm remained in full operation, requiring close coordination with the farmer to ensure minimal disruption.

Summary of Works

Challenges & Solutions

• Fragile, centuries-old stone walls:
  Care was taken during the removal of the original oak beams to avoid collapse or damage to the stonework. This required a methodical approach and constant monitoring of wall movement during the works.
• Preservation of oak beams for resale:
  The farmer had arranged to sell the salvaged oak, so we worked carefully to extract the beams in as good a condition as possible, avoiding unnecessary damage or splitting.
• Irregular and bowed existing structure:
  The barn had moved and settled over time, making steelwork installation complex. Our team adjusted each section on-site, using levelling and packing techniques to ensure a secure fit.
• Limited access for lifting equipment:
  Due to space constraints, the lorry-mounted crane could only be positioned on one side. We overcame this by deploying a large boom-type MEWP with extended reach, allowing full coverage across the roof span.
• Maintaining farm operations during construction:
  We coordinated daily with the farmer to ensure minimal disruption, keeping access routes clear and adapting our schedule around the needs of the working farm.