Paris (AFP)
The dismantling of the scaffolding of Notre-Dame de Paris, deformed and welded by the heat of the cathedral fire in April 2019, began on Monday, found an AFP journalist, even if the rope access technicians n will arrive only Tuesday.
Around 09:45, workers began to climb inside the scaffolding, via an elevator, for checks.
"In an operation like this, it is like in a rocket before takeoff, it is the final + check-up + before the arrival of the rope access technicians" on Tuesday, said Christophe Rousselot, general delegate of the Notre- Lady.
"One of the key points is the stability of the vault. When all this is settled, we will be very relieved because the cathedral will be saved," he said, referring to "a very sensitive, very complicated operation, with a significant risk factor ". "There may be pieces that fall from the scaffolding and weaken such or such part of the walls of the cathedral", developed Mr. Rousselot.
This scaffolding consists of 40,000 pieces, 200 tonnes, half of which is more than 40 meters high. It had been installed for the restoration of the spire of the Gothic cathedral. If it withstood the collapse of the arrow during the fire on April 15, 2019, it was deformed by heat.
It was initially "consolidated and then surrounded by metal beams on three levels to stabilize it and prevent any risk of collapse", said Sunday the public institution responsible for the restoration of the cathedral.
A second scaffolding was put in place and from Monday, "two alternating teams of five rope access technicians will descend as close as possible to the burnt out parts to cut, using saber saws, the metal tubes melted on top of each other" .
This operation must take place throughout the summer. The Notre-Dame site experienced many risks between the introduction of measures against lead contamination, bad weather in late 2019 and the coronavirus crisis. It gradually resumed in late April.
© 2020 AFP