UXO Investigation_
Brimstone provides professional UXO investigation services for projects where an unexploded ordnance risk has been identified.
Often delivered as a follow-up to a UXO risk assessment or survey — but sometimes required as a stand-alone service — our UXO engineers monitor groundworks, excavations, boreholes, and drilling activities to ensure the safety of all operatives on site.
UXO Watching Brief_
A watching brief involves active monitoring of excavations by one of our UXO specialists. Using established, flexible methodologies, we reduce the risk of unexpected UXO encounters without delaying your site progress.
Watching briefs are particularly useful for:
> Reduced digs
> Excavations
> Trial pits
> Archaeological investigations
Our engineers use ground signs and visual techniques to detect UXO or military-related items that may indicate a broader UXO presence.
We use technical instruments to detect ferrous and non-ferrous sub-surface anomalies, which are then investigated and verified by our on-site UXO engineers.
UXO Search and Clear_
Our on-site UXO engineers will establish picketed areas encompassing the at-risk zones and systematically clear lanes using search equipment, marking, excavating and logging the targets as they present. This method is most effective on greenfield projects but can also be used to clear made ground depending on the degree of metal contamination.
Unlike borehole detection equipment, our search and clear approach can identify both ferrous and non-ferrous items, such as aluminium detonators or brass fuzes.
UXO Borehole Support_
We are highly experienced in supporting geotechnical site investigations and other borehole and drilling projects. We can support the use of cable-percussive, rotary, window and windowless samplers and other drilling methods, by progressively clearing the position as the borehole deepens, making sure that all operatives are kept safe from UXO throughout the process.
Our on-site UXO engineer will assess the local ground conditions as the drilling progresses to calculate the theoretical maximum bomb penetration depth. At intervals of 1-2m, beginning from the surface, we test the hole for magnetic signatures by lowering a magnetometer probe on a cable extension to the bottom of the borehole, up to a maximum depth of 30m.
UXO Safety Awareness Brief_
As part of our standard on-site services, or as a stand-alone option, we offer UXO safety awareness briefings. These cover general risks, basic UXO identification, and the actions to take if a suspect item is encountered.
Even when detailed UXO risk assessments suggest a low to low-moderate risk, we find that many clients still want practical mitigation measures in place. Toolbox talks provide a sensible, accessible step toward safer working.
We offer site specific training packages, which are an extended version of our safety briefs, focusing on the context of your specific site. These last for approximately two hours and cover explosive munitions principles, sources of contamination, basic UXO identification, safety measures and specific historical information on your site obtained from primary and secondary research.
Rapid On-Call_
We place emergency response UXO engineers on standby by prior arrangement. We can attend any site in London, the South East and East Anglia within 1-2 hours, and the rest of the UK by consultation.
We encourage all our clients to assume that any suspicious objects found on projects should be treated as UXO unless positively identified as something safe. Our expert engineers can readily identify any suspicious items and assess their associated hazards. Inert or practice ordnance are frequently found, and as such our UXO engineers can readily get your site operational again.
Need help with UXO but not sure where to start?_
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