PRIVATE CLIENT

A £4.3 million EWI replacement project in Deptford, London part of a JCT Contract.

Onsite works commenced on 28^th June 2022 and were completed Autumn 2023. The project involved us being appointed under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) to gain an understanding of the wall types and general building construction. A design was developed to comply with the project brief and building restrictions through engagement with a JCT Contract.

Through this (PCSA) process we were able to validate the information provided by the client team and undertake further surveys. This enabled the fire design to be completed in line with the Employers Requirements and validated by the clients Fire Consultant Urban Change.

The project is split into two scaffold phases, front and rear. The scaffolding and hoist was designed with a free standing hoist located at one end of the building with a level loading platform for material distribution without the need for the use of forklifts on site, reducing the health and safety issues associated with reversing plant in confined spaces. The project incorporated erecting weather resistant sheeting and a roof over the scaffolding in which provided a protected area during the winter months. The EWI works have been split into individual phases to limit the areas exposed during the installation and providing continuity for the operatives who undertook the work.

This will enable rendering work to continue during most adverse weather conditions and will be particularly beneficial throughout the winter period. The scaffolding and temporary works have been planned and designed to meet the requirements of the adjacent railway line, in partnership with TFL, to the satisfaction of their Legal Department with a Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) agreement having been signed. The works will be executed onsite with the same meticulous attention to detail under the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) that has been administered from the project tender and inception.

The actual works included within Phase 2 will involve stripping all render from the walls back to the SFS infill panels or Thermalite block. SFS sections will be refitted with fire resistant Rockwall insulation, and a StoRend system will be installed to provide a decorative finish to the external appearance to the elevations.

Alcema engaged a specialist Architect, Martin Arnold Ltd, who has specific expertise in Fire Remediation to ensure the greatest level of expertise was embedded within the delivery team.

With the PCSA stage completed, Alcema moved into Phase 2 delivery. This included entering a ‘Residential Liaison’ period, where our Residential Liaison Officer (RLO) who worked closely with the existing building manager to provide regular and accurate tenant communication, complete with tenant newsletters and notice boards.

Working in a live environment with residents remaining in place always presents additional challenges. The building occupies most of the site, leaving very little space for scaffold erection, the site compound or material deliveries. To overcome this issue an external distribution centre was sourced to receive all bulk deliveries with Wilson James. These are split into smaller ridged vehicles for delivery to site.  As with all projects of this nature, Alcema offered as much flexibility as possible to minimise disruption for tenants.

A further challenge with this project is the location of a tube line. Agreement was required through a BAPA Agreement and working with relevant parties to design a scaffold system and material disruption methodology within the constraints imposed on us.

Jason Spencer, MD, Alcema, “We’re delighted Alcema was chosen to manage this project and over the last 18 months we have worked collaboratively with the Client and their Consultants to provide a detailed and robust design solution through the PCSA process. We have now been appointed the contractor and look forward to delivering this EWI replacement project. As a team we will ensure this is another Alcema project which is completed to the very highest standards and one we will be proud to showcase within our portfolio and to other future clients.”

We expect the Fire Remedial Projects to continue to be a growth sector within our portfolio of projects.