When a main contractor took on a challenging eight-storey residential development in Central London, the concrete placement demands were serious from day one. The site was hemmed in on three sides, the programme was tight, and every floor pour had to be completed within a single working day.
High Rise Project Case Study
Easypump Concrete Ltd was brought in to assess the site and provide a solution. What followed was a three-day static concrete pump hire operation that kept the project on time, on budget, and disruption-free.
The Project at a Glance
The development was a multi-storey residential block requiring large floor slab pours, stairwell cores, and structural columns across all eight levels. Total concrete volume ran into several hundred cubic metres, and the site access was severely restricted by surrounding buildings and a narrow street frontage.
The main challenges identified during the pre-pour planning stage were:
- No room on the street for boom pump outriggers
- Concrete needed to reach heights well beyond standard line pump capability
- A strict programme with no buffer for delays
- A cost-sensitive contractor needing reliable output without overspending
A boom pump was assessed and ruled out. The footprint simply did not work, and the hire cost at that scale would have stretched the budget. Easypump recommended a high-pressure static concrete pump as the right fit for the job.
Why Static Concrete Pump Hire Was the Right Choice
Static pumps are trailer-mounted and compact, which means they can be positioned close to the building without needing cleared outrigger zones. Once the pipeline is anchored and routed through the structure, they deliver consistent pressure and volume at height in a way that suits multi-storey construction perfectly.
Here is why Easypump’s static pump won out over the alternatives:
- Vertical reach: High-pressure static pumps maintain the sustained pipeline pressure needed to move concrete up through anchored riser pipes floor by floor
- Compact footprint: No large outrigger area required, which was critical on this restricted urban site
- High output volume: Static pumps can shift over 50 cubic metres per hour, keeping ready mix trucks moving and minimising wait time
- Cost efficiency: The daily hire rate on a static pump was significantly lower than a boom pump option at equivalent output
For urban high rise work in London, where access constraints are the norm rather than the exception, this type of pump is often the most practical choice available.
How Easypump Set Up and Mobilised
The Easypump team carried out a full pre-pour site assessment before any equipment arrived. Steel riser pipes were anchored floor by floor through the structure, with bends and transitions planned carefully at each level to maintain pressure and reduce blockage risk.
Setup on the first morning took just under two hours. The key steps were:
- Positioning the trailer pump on a level, load-bearing surface at street level
- Laying protective polythene across all finished surfaces and the surrounding pavement
- Grouting the pipeline before the pour to prime the system and prevent start-up blockages
- Briefing the site team on pour sequence and signal communication between the operator and each floor
Every section of steel pipeline was inspected before installation. Spare bends and couplings were kept on site as standard practice. The Easypump operator worked directly with the site foreman throughout each day to coordinate concrete flow and ensure accurate placement into formwork.
The Pour: Three Days, Every Floor Completed
Each day followed the same structured approach to keep the programme moving and the site clean.
- Morning pipeline pressure check before ready mix trucks arrived
- Steady pour through the morning session, working floor by floor with the site crew
- Midday review of pipeline condition and pressure
- Afternoon session to hit the daily volume target
- Full pipeline clean-down at the end of each shift
On day two, a partial blockage developed in a horizontal run on the fourth floor. The Easypump operator identified it quickly, isolated the section, cleared the issue, and had the pump running again within twenty minutes. No concrete was lost, and the day’s pour target was still met in full.
Results: What the Project Delivered
By the end of the three-day programme, every pour had been completed on schedule. The concrete reached each floor with consistent workability, placement was accurate, and no manual redistribution was needed. The site stayed clean, and the surrounding street remained accessible throughout.
The outcomes for the main contractor were straightforward:
- All pours completed on programme with zero delays
- No structural remediation required after any pour
- Budget for the pumping element came in as planned
- The client confirmed Easypump for the next phase of the development
Attempting these pours with a boom pump, had access allowed it, would have added an estimated 30% to the daily hire cost. Manual methods were never a realistic option at this height and volume.
Why Contractors Across London Trust Easypump
Easypump Concrete Ltd has built a strong reputation for commercial concrete pumping across London and the surrounding counties. For high rise and multi-storey projects, the combination of the right equipment, experienced operators, and fast mobilisation is what separates a smooth pour from a costly delay.
What Easypump brings to every commercial project:
- Same-day and next-day availability across London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Northampton
- Trained, experienced operators with real commercial project knowledge
- High-pressure static pump capability for vertical work at height
- Full pipeline inspection and spare parts carried on every job
- Price match guarantee on every hire
Planning a High Rise Concrete Pour?
Static concrete pump hire is a proven approach for multi-storey urban construction. It delivers the reach, the output, and the site compatibility that complex builds require, at a cost that works for the contractor.
If you are planning a high rise or multi-storey pour anywhere in London or the surrounding counties, get in touch with Easypump Concrete Ltd before you commit to anything else.
Call: 01582 550287 / 07894 989118 Email: admin@easypump.co.uk