Kidderminster firm has top performing seal

Kidderminster-based machinery protection specialist Beakbane has designed and manufactured what is probably the highest weatherproof seal in the country, according to the company.

Beakbane gets seal of approval from Jelt

The neoprene-coated nylon seal, which was designed and fabricated in just two weeks, is fitted to the mast at the top of the 46-storey Heron Tower in the City of London.

The 28m-tall cylindrical mast that crowns the tower rises to 230m above sea level at its highest point and was manufactured in two parts to allow it to flex.

The Beakbane seal is designed to protect the joint between the two sections from the weather and move with the joint as it flexes. 

Beakbane’s customer was Jelt Constructive Building, which was responsible for providing the weatherproof membrane on the roof, and other weatherproof detailing, on behalf of main contractor Skanska.

Jelt’s managing director, Eamonn Smith, said: “We took advice from Beakbane on the best material for the job and they came up with the bespoke design we needed to weatherproof the joint in the mast.”

Beakbane recommended a neoprene-coated nylon material to meet the performance requirements of the application and last in excess of 25 years.

The material was cut and fabricated to provide a sleeve that was fitted in place round the mast, joined by a Velcro seam, and held in position using a tensioned strap and twist fasteners that passed through eyelets on the seal.

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