About Us:
GeoCon Site Investigations Ltd is a GeoEnviromental / Ground Engineering consultancy who specialise in site investigation of Brownfield (potentially contaminated land) and Greenfield sites, for both GeoEnvironmental and Geotechnical purposes. As GeoEnvironmental consultants GeoCon also specialise in geothermal services which include geothermal desk studies, geothermal drilling, and geothermal borehole design.
Our specialist division Rock Energy International design and install Ground Source Heat Pumps for clients wishing to utilise Ground Source Heat Pump systems.
GeoCon undertake geothermal desk studies, geothermal drilling & ground loop installation, and full design of geothermal borehole fields using specialist software.
Location:
GeoCon environmental consultants are based in South Manchester. We offer site investigation and geothermal drilling across the Northwest and have an extensive experience working in the Northwest of England. We also offer nationwide geothermal drilling and site investigation services and have a broad experience of working with UK ground conditions.
Our Services:
As environmental consultants we offer the following services both as a single service and as part of a complete service:
Geothermal Desk Studies by GeoCon:
GeoCon undertake geothermal desk studies or feasibility studies to aid clients who are considering the implementation of a Ground Source Heat Pump. Our reliable geothermal desk study gives a client all the information required to make his/her selection on the use and type of GSHP system. Select the link for more information on geothermal desk studies. For information on pricing select the link on the right.
Desk Study:
Desk studies (Tier 1) are prepared by environmental consultants and are used to gain a profile of a site to establish its environmental setting including the site history, geology, topography, hydrology, hydrogeology, mining history, and nearby landfill. This allows us to determine the requirement for any subsequent investigation based on identifying any potential contaminant sources from any current and former land uses either on site or within influencing distance to the site; potential receptors such as humans, controlled waters and the environment; and potential pathways such as groundwater, wind, direct contact with soils etc. This source, pathway receptor methodology enables us to build a Conceptual Site Model (CSM) and thus design a suitable targeted investigation.
Site Investigation:
GeoCon undertake site investigation of both brownfield and greenfield land. All site investigation is designed / targeted from information sourced from the initial Phase I desk study and is subsequently undertaken via Phase II intrusive site investigation using techniques such as boreholes, trial pits, window sampling, CBR and plate load testing, soak-away design, soil and rock sampling, subsequent chemical and geotechnical analysis, and environmental monitoring.
Site investigation is the fundamental part of the land investigation process and as GeoEnvironmental consultants we specialise in all aspects of site investigation, from Phase I Desk Study through to Phase II intrusive site investigation.
Geothermal Drilling:
Geothermal Drilling by GeoCon is undertaken to facilitate the installation of geothermal ground loops (ground collectors) as part of any Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system. GeoCon undertake geothermal drilling, ground loop installation and subsequent backfill with a thermal enhanced bentonite grout. This gives a greater thermal conductivity than a regular civil engineering grade grout. We then complete the installation with a pressure test and flow test on each loop and subsequent sign off, where we sign off each geothermal borehole as completed with ground loop correctly installed. GeoCon are environmental consultants who specialise in geothermal drilling.
GeoCon offer geothermal drilling services for closed loop installations and we also offer geothermal drilling services for open loop installations. As an alternative we can also provide geothermal trenching services for horizontal installations.
GeoCon Geothermal offer a nationwide geothermal drilling service. We undertake geothermal drilling for residential developments and geothermal drilling for commercial developments.
As part of our service we can also provide a thermal response test service for larger projects with thermal testing to give a more acurate indication of the actual thermal properties of the ground. This should confirm the findings of the geothermal desk study and can help to refine the exact number of geothermal boreholes required to avoid oversizing or undersizing the system.
Geotechnical Services by GeoCon:
Geotechnical services by GeoCon form part of our complete site investigation service which includes geotechnical site investigation to assist with foundation and substructure design, deal with slope stability issues and the investigation of potential mine workings; all along with subsequent geotechnical analysis and reporting.
Remediation and Validation:
Remediation and Validation by GeoCon. Some sites may require remediation based on the results of the Phase II risk assessment conclusions and recommendations. If remediation is required we can assist with the design of any remdeiation strategy and with subsequent validation to provide proof to any regulator that the works have been carried out in accordance with the remedial strategy.
Geotechnical remediation may also include drilling and grouting of voids, or shaft lining and capping depending on the results of the desk study and intrusive site investigation.
We offer a service where we recommend the various options available to a client and are happy to assist with procurement of these services.
Working Methods:
We undertake all work in accordance with BS10175: 2001 Code of Practice for the Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites, and all subsurface materials are described in accordance with BS5930 and Euro Code EN ISO 14688.
All drillers used on our site investigations are BDA (British Drilling Association) accredited.
All chemical laboratories used have the relevant MCERTS and are UCAS accredited.
All geotechnical testing is carried out in accordance with BS1377.
Results of any chemical analysis are screened against relevant guideline values (GV’s), such as the Environment Agency Soil Guideline Values (SGV’s), the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) General Acceptance Criteria (GAC’s), and in house Site Specific Acceptance Criteria (SSAC) for soils, and current UK DWS (Drinking Water Standards) and EQS (Environmental Quality Standards) for controlled waters.
All environmental monitoring is carried out in accordance with CIRIA 665, and BS ISO 5667-17 2008.
Advice on Concrete design is given in accordance with BRE Special Digest 1. Concrete in aggressive ground.
Soak-aways are designed in accordance with BRE Digest 365.
