By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Cremator flues at Mansfield Crematorium will be repaired after developing suction issues and causing odour to release into the building.
Mansfield District Council has approved the works for the Derby Road site, which will also include cleaning flue ways and replacing parts of the structure.
A council report published by the authority on Monday (August 23) says the project – costing £40,000 – was initially approved in last year’s budget.
But they have been carried forward into the current financial year and the crematorium’s accounts will be fully approved at a meeting next month.
However, the works were approved during a non-key decision at the district council earlier this month and will be conducted in the coming months.
Papers confirm the total project will ensure staff have the “appropriate amount of suction” in cremators so they can work in a controlled and safe way.
Flue ways will be cleaned of debris build-up while the insulation, air rings and injectors will be inspected.
Air rings will also be relined and replaced, sections of the flue will be relined and redundant equipment will be removed.
This, papers say, includes the removal of the spiral duct and smoke heads, with remaining ducts capped off, licenced hazardous waste disposed of and the cremators reinstated after the work is complete.
In a report, Sarah Troman, head of neighbourhood services, said: “The cremators at Mansfield Crematorium are unable to retain their suction thus creating fumes and odour to be released into the crematory and transfer areas.
“The cremator flue ways will be cleaned of debris build-up, the insulation inspected, and air rings and the injectors.
“The air rings will be relined and replaced, and any sections of the flue will be relined.
“The removal of redundant equipment from the flues, including spiral duct, smoke heads and remaining ducts capped off, licensed hazardous waste disposal, cremator inspection and reinstatement after works are completed.
“Staff working in the crematory need an appropriate amount of suction to be able to cremate in a controlled and safe way.
“The project will be funded from the crematorium’s capital, unallocated budget. The estimated contract value will be £40,000.”
It follows separate issues being found and repaired at the crematorium.
Contractors were appointed last year to replace cracked mezzanine flooring at the Derby Road site previously described as a “significant health and safety issue”.
The work, costing £25,000, came as part of a wider £195,000 set of works to bring the crematorium up to scratch.
Other improvements included tackling leaks, water pressure issues, new fire doors, the removal of ducting, filling in holes and repairing walls. This work was forecast at £30,000.
The £40,000 flue way improvements were also included in the £195,000 budget and were listed to stop smoke and fumes funnelling into the building.
The Mansfield and District Crematorium Joint Committee, which includes councillors from Mansfield, Ashfield and Newark & Sherwood councils, have approved the works.
Cllr Andy Burgin (Lab), a Mansfield Council representative on the committee, said last year: “We need to ensure we’re following this duty of care to get these works done as soon as possible.”
