PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project involved the removal and replacement of existing HPL cladding panelling to 6No high rise residential tower block locare around the North & East areas of Edinburgh. – Lochend House, Restalrig House, Northview Court, Inchkeith Court, Kirkgate House and Cables Wynd. Our local knowledge, as an Edinburgh specialist, was essential in managing logistics.

The works to the external elevations of the residential tower blocks, focused around the stairwell areas and below window openings.  The existing cladding panels were replaced with Rockpanel (A1 fire rated boarding) to meet current regulations. In order to achieve the required fire resistance requirements, the timber framing and backing boards were also stripped out and replaced with a new aluminium support frame structure, cavity insulation, fire resistant backing boarding and breather membrane.

KEY CHALLENGES

The works were carried out in a live working environment with all residential flats remaining fully occupied throughout the works.  Liaison between the Concierge and ECSC was of critical importance and we had to ensure that all occupants were made aware of what was happening and when. Good communication was key to the successful project delivery and achieving buy in from all affected residents.

The safety and wellbeing of residents, the public and all impacted by our operations.  Unauthorised access to scaffoldings was prevented by inclusion of extensive timber hoarding with security-controlled access doors.

Material deliveries and movement were carefully planned and co-ordinated outwith key resident access/daily movement times.

ADDED VALUE

In order to meet the programme and achieve commercial efficiencies, we worked collaboratively with the Client, Design Team and our specialist supply chain partners to source alternative compliant panelling to the original specification.

Upon opening up the existing panelling, unexpected timber framing was discovered within the cladding system. We worked proactively with the design team using our specialist supplier knowledge and experience to achieve design alterations to the proposed support frame structure to maintain the fire retardancy requirements, meet the specification and still maintain programme.