A team of technicians from VERTICAL GROUP OOD completed a project for cleaning and technical inspection of the surface structure of the Iskar dam wall.
The activities were implemented in the period May – June 2024 through rope access and industrial mountaineering by specialists certified for working at height and in difficult-to-access infrastructure environments.
The project included cleaning, visual inspection and filming of various structural elements of the facility in order to assess their condition and prepare technical documentation for the Client – National Electric Company (NEK).
Here is the professional English translation of the text:
The activities performed covered:
the joints and cladding slabs of the air-side slope;
the concrete lining of the spillway bottom;
the wing walls;
the abutments of the facility;
hard-to-reach areas along the surface structure of the dam wall.
The survey included a visual inspection, photography, and a detailed assessment of the condition of the structural elements.
Prior to conducting the technical inspection, a thorough cleaning of the surfaces was carried out to remove vegetation, biological growth, atmospheric contaminants, deposits on the concrete surfaces, and debris in the joints and cladding.
The preparation of the surveyed areas is important to ensure good visibility and a precise assessment of the structure’s condition.
Due to the scale and specifics of the facility, the activities were carried out using the alpine method via rope access and industrial alpinism. This method allows for:
safe access to high and steep areas;
work in a restricted infrastructure environment;
surveying of hard-to-reach structural elements;
minimal use of heavy machinery;
efficient execution without interrupting the operation of the facility.
Industrial alpinism is particularly suitable for the inspection and maintenance of dam walls, energy facilities, and hydraulic structures.
Upon completion of the activities, the results of the survey and imaging were analyzed in detail and described in a technical report submitted to the Client – the National Electric Company (NEK). The documentation includes:
a description of the surveyed areas;
the condition of the structural elements;
identified defects and compromised zones;
visual materials and photography;
recommendations for maintenance and subsequent actions.
Dam walls and hydrotechnical facilities are objects with a high degree of responsibility and require regular maintenance and technical control.
Timely inspections allow for early detection of defects, monitoring the condition of the structure, preventing more serious damage, increasing the safety of the facility, and planning the necessary repair activities.
Work on high hydraulic structures requires strict adherence to safety measures. During the execution of these activities, the following were used:
dual-safety systems;
certified rope access equipment;
personal protective equipment (PPE);
positioning systems;
preliminary risk assessment;
a rescue plan and emergency procedures.
All activities were performed by qualified technicians with experience in working on infrastructure and energy sites.
The project for the cleaning and inspection of the Iskar Dam wall is an example of the effective application of rope access for the inspection and maintenance of complex hydraulic structures. Thanks to industrial alpinism, the activities were carried out safely, precisely, and with access to all hard-to-reach areas of the facility, which allowed for the preparation of a detailed technical assessment for the needs of the Client.
