Lights, Cameras, Action! – Downton Abbey Oil Spillage

Background

During filming of this popular TV drama series an oil loss occurred from a generator unit used to power equipment during outdoor filming. The oil loss contaminated a large area of gravel driveway. The issue was an unusual one – we had a window of opportunity between filming to remediate the contamination and put everything back exactly as it was for filming continuity purposes! We like a challenge.

Completed Works

• Our team worked quickly and efficiently to delineate the extent of the spill and diggers removed the contamination as we went along.
• Due to the time pressures physical soil removal was the only viable remediation option.
• We then validated works and reinstated the site with matching gravel the same day.

Outcome

Hopefully, the viewing public didn’t notice the difference between scenes!

Oil Loss Claim - Cambridgeshire

Background

The homeowner awoke to a strong oil odour within his property. The odours were identified within the swimming pool area of the property and on inspection it was identified that one of the oil tanks within the basement was leaking. It was calculated that the loss was within the region of 1800 litres. Oil tracked around the base of an indoor swimming pool and entered internal basement drains. High Net Worth insurers instructed OHES to facilitate an emergency response to the situation and advise on the extent of damage in relation to policy cover.

Completed Works

• OHES facilitated an emergency response which was on site within 2 hours of receiving instructions from insurers.
• The swimming pool ventilation system was shut down to prevent vapours from being pumped around the swimming pool area.
• OHES set up extractor fansto extract vapours from the living area of the property so allowing continued habitation and saving alternative accommodation costs.
• Booms were deployed within the lake to contain any oil that leaked through drains.
• A tanker was used to pump out oil from within the basement – approximately 4500 litres of contaminated fluid (oil and water) was pumped out and removed offsite.
• Contaminated silt and building materials were removed under the supervision of a structural engineer.
• A programme of thorough cleaning of affected concrete and drains.

Outcome

Validation sampling confirmed the reduction in contamination levels to appoint which posed no further risk to the lake, the property or occupants.

Oil Loss - Stately Home, West Yorkshire

Background

An oil tank in the basement of the property had been overfilled due to a faulty dial gauge on the storage tank. The resulting spill caused strong oil odours to permeate up through the gaps in ancient floorboards to affect the rooms above. The property had to be evacuated and temporarily closed to the public as a result of the overpowering vapours. OHES were instructed by insurers to attend the scene as an emergency and to get the venue back open to visitors asap.

Completed Works

OHES staff established that a large volume of heating oil had overtopped the oil storage tank and had pooled as free product in the tank room/basement. We were able to arrange for the following to happen within hours of instruction:

• A vacuum tanker pumped free product from the basement.
• Industrial extractor units were deployed to draw air down and out of the building providing rapid relief from vapours and allowing same day re-opening of the venue.
• Booms were deployed in the flamingo lake as oil had been pumped automatically from the basement to the lake by pumps permanently installed to manage groundwater levels in the basement.
• Cleansing of the basement and tank room area using degreasing agents was successful at removing oil residues.

Outcome

The property was opened to the public again the same day and there were no long lasting issues to address. Rapid response and pragmatic remedial measures saved the day.