The cooling tower of MOL in Tiszaújváros is built using special construction methods

The works were carried out using a special solution

"During the construction, we used suspended scaffolding, which was suspended from precast concrete structures. The wall formwork, ironwork and concreting were also carried out from this work platform, so the structure did not have to be scaffolded all around, but the work was carried out from work platforms fixed to the wall section at the given height"

- said Mihály Balog. He added: "To formwork and support the slab, it was necessary to create a complete working level - under the slab - starting from the prefabricated beam level, the cantilevered parts of which - at the wall connection - were also solved with sleeves embedded in the wall and braces suspended on them. This was necessary because, as required by the customer, the mechanical installations during the formwork phase of the slab are carried out in parallel with the construction of the working level and the slab formwork."

The pool has passed the water-holding test

He cited the challenge of the cooling tower basin as the only way to retain the nearly 2,500 cubic metres of water is through the use of a watertight reinforced concrete slab and walls, so the proper placement and curing of the concrete is key to the building's success. The connection of the reinforced concrete structures of the pool area was ensured by the installation of watertight auxiliary waterproofing elements. As a result, the water-holding test was successfully carried out, a process that Mihály Balog considers to be one of the unique features of the project.

"The so-called water table test, which lasts several days, is part of the technical inspection of the pool area, during which the experts look for visible moisture on the walls below ground level. The special suspended work platforms on the walls above were also necessary because of tight deadlines, construction work was ongoing during the trial and because a 2.5 m deep and 2 m wide working pit had to be left next to the structure."

Particular safety rules must be observed

SWIETELSKY Magyarország Kft. pays particular attention to the highest standards of health and safety on all its projects, but within the scope of MOL Petrolkémia, they must also follow additional requirements regulated by the MCC SFBC requirements. "These regulations are important because we carry out construction work next to operating plants. Therefore, during construction, we had to implement all the safety precautions that are not or rarely required during general construction. Our company worked as closely and efficiently as possible with the investor's experts to comply with the general and the safety regulations of the MPK SFBC, thanks to which there were no safety accidents or related incidents during the construction work" - detailed project manager Péter Markó.