|
Mihai Chelmus · Construction Testing, Investigation & Remediation Specialist
Email:
mihai.chelmus@swantest.co.uk |
Tel:
+44 734 228 1981
Construction structural testing, load verification and on-site assessment for buildings, temporary works and safety-critical elements across London.
|
Structural testing in London is not academic. It is carried out on live sites, under programme pressure, with real safety and regulatory consequences.
For more than a decade, Mihai Chelmus has been directly involved in the delivery, coordination and oversight of structural testing works across London, working with major contractors, consultants and asset owners on commercial, residential, infrastructure and refurbishment projects.
As Operations Manager at Swantest, the specialist testing arm of Swanton Consulting, Mihai combines hands-on site experience with senior operational responsibility, overseeing complex testing scopes in some of the capital’s most constrained and regulator-scrutinised environments.
Swantest operates within established UKAS-aligned quality systems, delivering testing that supports Building Regulations compliance, LOLER and PUWER obligations, warranty provider requirements and, increasingly, the evidence expectations introduced under the Building Safety Act.
This article sets out the core structural testing services delivered in London, explaining where they are typically required and why they matter from a compliance, safety and delivery perspective.
Structural Testing Services Delivered in London and Across the UK:
Floor Load Testing Services (find out more)
In London, floor load capacity testing is most commonly undertaken ahead of demolition works and heavy temporary loading, but it is also used wherever there is uncertainty over an existing floor’s capacity or condition.
Typical triggers include:
- Verification of slab capacity for demolition equipment, including tracked excavators and heavy machinery.
- Change of use or increased loading, where imposed loads exceed the original design intent.
- Uncertain as-built reinforcement or workmanship, particularly on older or altered buildings.
- Fire damage, material deterioration or excessive deflection, raising concern over residual capacity.
- Building Control, structural engineer, funder or insurer requirements prior to authorising loading or sequencing.
On London projects, floor load testing is frequently used to prove that existing slabs can safely sustain extreme temporary loads, often far in excess of normal design loading and, where required, up to 120-tonne test capability, before plant or new use is permitted.
This provides direct, physical evidence of slab performance under real loading conditions, reducing reliance on incomplete records or conservative assumptions. For demolition, refurbishment and change-of-use schemes in dense urban environments, floor load testing remains one of the most effective tools for managing structural risk.
Anchor
testing is routinely undertaken on London construction projects where
the performance of fixings cannot be reliably confirmed through design
assumptions alone.
Typical scenarios include:
Typical scenarios include:
- Substrate quality is unknown, variable or historic
- Fixings support safety-critical elements such as façade restraints, barriers, plant, lifting points or temporary works
- Works involve refurbishment, retained façades or heritage structures
- Proof testing is required as part of quality assurance, inspection or handover
On refurbishment and retrofit projects in particular, anchors are often installed into aged concrete, masonry or composite substrates where strength, homogeneity and embedment conditions cannot be assumed. In these environments, testing provides direct confirmation of fixing performance in the actual base material, rather than relying on catalogue values or laboratory data.
Swantest operates as a CFA-approved anchor tester, delivering anchor testing in accordance with BS 8539 and manufacturer requirements. Testing scopes typically include both proof testing and ultimate (failure) testing, depending on the safety classification of the fixing and the level of assurance required.
Swantest delivers anchor testing using UKAS calibrated hydraulic equipment, with test capacities up to 600kN, supported by bespoke reaction frames and test bridges designed to suit constrained London sites, complex geometries and high-load applications.
Anchor testing plays a critical role in reducing the risk of:
- Sudden fixing failure under load
- Substrate cone or pull-through failure
- Undetected installation defects
- Latent safety issues in occupied or public environments
In the context of London’s regulatory environment and the Building Safety Act, anchor testing increasingly forms part of the evidence chain supporting compliance, inspection sign-off and dutyholder assurance, particularly where fixings form part of the structural safety case.
Lifting Beam Load Testing Services (find out more)
Runway lifting beams and associated structural steelwork used for lifting operations fall under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
On London projects, load testing is most commonly undertaken for runway lifting beams, rather than standalone lifting accessories, where beams form part of a fixed or temporary lifting arrangement within a building or structure.
Load testing is typically required:
On London projects, load testing is most commonly undertaken for runway lifting beams, rather than standalone lifting accessories, where beams form part of a fixed or temporary lifting arrangement within a building or structure.
Load testing is typically required:
- Before first use, following installation of the runway system
- After relocation, alteration or reconfiguration of the beam arrangement
- Following modification, strengthening or repair to the supporting steelwork
- As part of a thorough examination regime, where physical verification is specified by the competent person
On constrained London sites, runway lifting beams frequently operate in temporary, non-standard or restricted-access arrangements, often within existing buildings. Physical load testing provides direct confirmation that the beam, its supports and load paths perform as intended, reducing reliance on assumptions where records, tolerances or site conditions are uncertain.
This verification is critical for protecting operatives, adjacent structures and the public during lifting operations in live urban environments.
Façade impact testing is typically required where façade systems interface with public areas, are exposed to accidental or crowd-related impact, or where performance cannot be verified through visual inspection alone.
On London projects, this often includes glazed systems, rainscreen panels, cladding support rails, fixings and secondary framing located at low level, within pedestrian zones, or adjacent to access routes. In these environments, façade elements must demonstrate the ability to safely resist transient impact loads without loss of integrity, excessive deformation or progressive failure.
Impact testing is commonly undertaken on full-scale or representative mock-up façade assemblies, allowing the complete system (including panels, fixings, brackets and substrate) to be assessed under realistic conditions. Testing is used to verify suitability for:
On London projects, this often includes glazed systems, rainscreen panels, cladding support rails, fixings and secondary framing located at low level, within pedestrian zones, or adjacent to access routes. In these environments, façade elements must demonstrate the ability to safely resist transient impact loads without loss of integrity, excessive deformation or progressive failure.
Impact testing is commonly undertaken on full-scale or representative mock-up façade assemblies, allowing the complete system (including panels, fixings, brackets and substrate) to be assessed under realistic conditions. Testing is used to verify suitability for:
- Accidental human impact
- Crowd loading or trolley / equipment contact
- Localised impacts at vulnerable edges or interfaces
- Loads introduced by rope access and façade cleaning operations, including accidental sling or equipment contact
Where rope access systems are proposed, impact testing provides additional assurance that façade components will not be compromised by inadvertent strikes from suspended equipment or operatives during cleaning and maintenance activities.
By applying controlled impact loads and observing system behaviour, testing provides objective evidence of performance against project-specific criteria, design assumptions and manufacturer limitations. This reduces reliance on theoretical assessment alone and helps mitigate long-term safety risk, particularly on complex or high-risk façades common across dense urban London sites.
Barrier Testing Services (find out more)
Barrier testing is required where barriers form part of fall protection systems, public safety interfaces, or temporary and permanent edge protection. In the UK, the design and performance of barriers and balustrades in both residential and commercial buildings are governed by BS 6180:2011 – Barriers in and about buildings: Code of practice.
BS 6180 defines the minimum loading requirements, height criteria and performance expectations for barrier systems based on building use and occupancy. On London projects, where high pedestrian flows, dense occupancies and complex layouts are common, physical testing is frequently specified to confirm compliance with the standard and to provide assurance beyond design calculations and visual inspection.
Testing is typically undertaken on new-build developments, including:
BS 6180 defines the minimum loading requirements, height criteria and performance expectations for barrier systems based on building use and occupancy. On London projects, where high pedestrian flows, dense occupancies and complex layouts are common, physical testing is frequently specified to confirm compliance with the standard and to provide assurance beyond design calculations and visual inspection.
Testing is typically undertaken on new-build developments, including:
- New residential blocks and flats
- High-end private housing and luxury apartments
- Commercial buildings and mixed-use schemes
- Shopping centres and retail malls
Barrier systems commonly tested include glass balustrades (framed and frameless), metal railings, handrails and composite barrier assemblies. Testing is carried out on completed or near-completed installations to verify compliance with the loading criteria set out in BS 6180:2011, including horizontal line loads, point loads and infill loading, as applicable to the specific use category.
By applying controlled loads directly to the installed barrier system, testing confirms that the barrier, its fixings and the supporting substrate perform as required under BS 6180. This provides objective evidence of compliance for Building Control and Approved Inspectors, reduces the risk of late-stage non-conformances, and supports safe occupation of high-value residential and commercial developments across London.
Sports and event venues impose significantly higher dynamic, crowd-related and surge loading than typical commercial or residential environments. As a result, barrier performance within these settings is critical to spectator safety and operational control.
In the UK, the design, assessment and verification of barriers within sports grounds are guided by the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (6th Edition), commonly known as the Green Guide. This document sets out enhanced performance expectations for barriers subject to crowd movement, leaning, vibration and localised impact during normal use and peak occupancy events.
Barrier testing in sports and event venues supports:
In the UK, the design, assessment and verification of barriers within sports grounds are guided by the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (6th Edition), commonly known as the Green Guide. This document sets out enhanced performance expectations for barriers subject to crowd movement, leaning, vibration and localised impact during normal use and peak occupancy events.
Barrier testing in sports and event venues supports:
- Crowd safety certification and licensing requirements
- Event and match-day operational approvals
- Ongoing asset assurance and lifecycle management
Testing is typically undertaken on installed barrier systems to verify that they can safely resist the loads associated with spectator behaviour, circulation routes, concourses, viewing areas and restricted zones. Systems commonly assessed include spectator barriers, guardrails, balustrades, glazing systems and secondary containment elements.
We have carried out barrier testing at Wimbledon Tennis courts, major UK sports stadiums, and a wide range of other sporting and event venues, supporting compliance with Green Guide expectations and providing assurance to venue operators, local authorities and safety advisory groups (SAGs).
By applying controlled loads that reflect real crowd conditions, testing provides objective evidence that barriers, fixings and supporting substrates perform as intended. This reduces reliance on historic assumptions, supports safe venue operation, and helps maintain public confidence in high-profile sporting environments.
Screed testing is commonly required to confirm the in-situ performance of floor screeds prior to trafficking, fit-out or the installation of final finishes. It is routinely specified to verify load-bearing capability, assess readiness for occupation or follow-on trades, and to provide objective evidence of compliance where quality concerns or disputes arise between contractors.
On London projects, screed testing plays a critical role in reducing the risk of premature breakdown, surface crushing or long-term performance issues that can lead to costly remedial works and programme delays.
The BRE Drop Hammer Test, carried out in accordance with BS 8204, is used to assess whether a set and hardened screed is sufficiently sound to withstand the anticipated in-service traffic without crushing or disintegration. The test is particularly effective where there are concerns regarding mix proportions, inadequate mixing, poor compaction or inconsistent workmanship.
In accordance with BS 8204, the test is undertaken by subjecting the screed surface to repeated controlled impact blows. An annular weight is dropped vertically down a guided rod onto a hardened steel anvil placed in direct contact with the screed. The depth of indentation resulting from the impacts is measured to determine the soundness of the screed, defined as its ability to carry imposed loads without local failure.
The BRE Screed Tester is designed to allow testing from as early as 14 days after screed installation, depending on screed type and curing conditions. Four successive impact blows are applied to the same test location, after which the depth of indentation is measured using a digital depth gauge.
Guidance is also provided within BS 8204 for the testing of floating screeds, where a reduced annular weight is used to reflect the different load transfer characteristics of the system.
Each test is carried out using a BRE screed tester supplied with a compliance certificate to BS 8204, ensuring consistency and traceability of results.
Typical Test Specification
On London projects, screed testing plays a critical role in reducing the risk of premature breakdown, surface crushing or long-term performance issues that can lead to costly remedial works and programme delays.
The BRE Drop Hammer Test, carried out in accordance with BS 8204, is used to assess whether a set and hardened screed is sufficiently sound to withstand the anticipated in-service traffic without crushing or disintegration. The test is particularly effective where there are concerns regarding mix proportions, inadequate mixing, poor compaction or inconsistent workmanship.
In accordance with BS 8204, the test is undertaken by subjecting the screed surface to repeated controlled impact blows. An annular weight is dropped vertically down a guided rod onto a hardened steel anvil placed in direct contact with the screed. The depth of indentation resulting from the impacts is measured to determine the soundness of the screed, defined as its ability to carry imposed loads without local failure.
The BRE Screed Tester is designed to allow testing from as early as 14 days after screed installation, depending on screed type and curing conditions. Four successive impact blows are applied to the same test location, after which the depth of indentation is measured using a digital depth gauge.
Guidance is also provided within BS 8204 for the testing of floating screeds, where a reduced annular weight is used to reflect the different load transfer characteristics of the system.
Each test is carried out using a BRE screed tester supplied with a compliance certificate to BS 8204, ensuring consistency and traceability of results.
Typical Test Specification
- Drop weight (standard screeds): 4kg
- Drop weight (floating screeds): 2kg
- Drop height: 1000mm
- Contact area of anvil: 500mm²
- Measurement method: Digital depth gauge
By providing quantitative, in-situ performance data, screed testing supports informed decision-making, early identification of deficiencies and confidence in the suitability of the screed for its intended use.
Not all London projects can be assessed using standardised testing guidance. Complex urban environments, constrained sites and non-standard construction frequently require bespoke structural testing solutions tailored to the specific risks, geometry and loading conditions present.
Bespoke testing is typically required where:
Bespoke testing is typically required where:
- Temporary works introduce atypical or indirect load paths
- Site access, headroom or logistics restrict the use of standard test equipment or configurations
- Structures are non-standard, modified, or of historic construction
- Independent verification is required for dispute resolution or technical assurance
In these situations, testing procedures are developed to reflect real site constraints while maintaining the fundamental principles of safety, traceability and compliance. Load application methods, reaction arrangements, instrumentation and acceptance criteria can all be adapted to suit the specific structural behaviour being assessed.
Our approach allows testing to be configured across a wide range of loading scenarios, from lightweight architectural and artistic installations, such as suspended displays and bespoke façade features, through to high-capacity structural systems, including elastic metallic supports and specialist components used within critical infrastructure and nuclear environments.
By adapting load paths, support conditions and control methods, testing can be undertaken where conventional guidance is not directly applicable, without compromising technical robustness. Each bespoke test is developed with a clear methodology, controlled loading regime and documented results, providing defensible evidence of performance for designers, contractors, asset owners and insurers.
This flexibility allows structural performance to be verified where calculation alone is insufficient, supporting informed decision-making on some of London’s most complex and sensitive projects.
Structural Testing, Compliance and the Building Safety Regime
Under the post-2023 regulatory environment, structural testing increasingly forms part of the Golden Thread, supporting:
- Gateway 2 and Gateway 3 evidence
- Structural safety declarations
- As-built verification
- Long-term asset confidence
Testing transforms design assumptions into measurable, auditable performance. Structural testing is not about box-ticking. It is about providing defensible evidence that structures are safe, compliant and fit for purpose.In London’s high-risk, high-scrutiny construction environment, experience-led testing remains one of the most effective tools for managing structural risk.
Our testing capability spans floor load capacity testing, anchor pull-out and shear testing, façade impact testing, barrier and sports ground barrier verification, lifting beam testing, screed testing and bespoke structural verification for non-standard projects.