Historically, GBA made our name by designing and building some of the world's tallest flare structures. The three 204m high flares at Fina in Antwerp remain the tallest flare structures in Europe and the tallest demountable flare stacks in the world. In addition we have built examples of just about every type of flare structure imaginable, free-standing derricks, guyed derricks, guyed risers (single and twin), self-support, offshore fully welded structures, metallised structures, multi-riser structures, the list goes on. If its been done, we've probably done it!

Our speciality is demountable riser flare structures. The basic reason for selecting such a system is that flare stacks can be spared, that is to say one duty stack, one stand-by. When the duty flare needs maintenance simply switch the gas flow to the stand-by riser/tip and demount the duty riser by removing sections of riser from the base until the tip arrives at grade! No need for personnel to climb the stack beyond the first riser length. All this means flare maintenance without the need for a plant-wide shut-down or requiring the extensive real-estate for two separate flare structures.

Our structures are designed to all major codes including AISC 7-98, BS 8100, Eurocode 8, UBC and many others. Design is carried out partially by FEA analysis which results in more cost effective structures with minimum weight.

The optimum structure selection is based on numerous factors including height, riser size(s), available plot plan, design temperatures, riser materials, ambient temperatures and wind loadings.

If in doubt about the structure design for any application GBA can advise the optimum selection.