Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. Orford ... - English Heritage

Magazine
AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTURE No. D2 was 36 & 85
DATE: 1916 reconstructed 1931 NGR: TM 43882 48818
ORIGINAL FUNCTION: Magazine
CONSTRUCTIONAL TYPE: Mass Concrete
LATEST FUNCTION: Magazine
DIMENSIONS: 11.05m (36ft 3ins)
x 8.2m (26ft 10ins)
DOCUMENTARY REFERENCE: AWRE 1971 36; PSA 1973 36 Explosives bdg (disused)
PHOTOGRAPHS:AA99/08468, DP070012-15
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER FEATURES: Associated with D4, similar to D1
DESCRIPTION:
The lower section of the magazine is of mass concrete construction, this was subsequently raised by the addition of
a brick upper section, its outer surface was then cement rendered to give a uniform appearance. It is covered by a
timber framed pyramidal roof with wooden boards covered by felt, there was originally a central ventilation lantern.
The Magazine is entered from the north through a double door, this was originally flanked by windows to either side,
which have subsequently been blocked. To the east of the door is the remains of wooden box protecting electrical
switch gear. Internally is a longitudinal walkway, 1.34m (4ft 5ins)with raised storage areas to either side. At the rear
of the Magazine a concrete plaque records ‘Ches Fld Coy RE’ (Cheshire Field Company Royal Engineers). Above is
a travelling crane by ‘Herbert Morris Ltd Loughborough 1 ton’ The building is lit by 1950s style pendant lights and is
heated by electrical wall heaters, a sign records ‘Man Limit 4’. Attached to the north east corner of the building is a
small brick addition, constructed of red brick cavity wall construction in stretcher bond with a flat concrete roof. A
concrete plaque on its north wall records ‘1931’. Terracotta ventilation blocks at floor level and eaves height vent the
cavity and metal vents the interior. It is entered from the north through a single wooden door. It is lit to the south
by a small hinged wooden 4 light window with opaque wired glass, with concrete cills and lintels. Internally, the floor
is covered in aspahlt, there is a single electrical socket and inclined pipe that connects back to the main magazine.
A number 85 is sprayed on its north wall.
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