Project Overview
City Group was recently awarded a prestigious contract valued at £1 million to deliver comprehensive fire stopping project management across a portfolio of 42 multi-let residential apartment blocks throughout the UK. This project formed a crucial part of a wider fire safety strategy, ensuring that all buildings met the latest fire safety regulations and industry standards.
The need for effective fire stopping has never been greater, particularly in multi-let residential environments where inadequate fire protection can lead to significant risks for occupants. With evolving legislation and an increased focus on fire safety compliance following high-profile incidents, property owners and managers must take proactive steps to enhance fire protection within their buildings.
City Group was appointed to take over this critical project, ensuring a seamless transition and maintaining momentum in rectifying identified fire stopping deficiencies.
Project Requirement
Prior to City Group’s involvement, a series of comprehensive fire risk assessments had highlighted numerous deficiencies in fire stopping measures across the 42 apartment blocks. The primary concerns centred around:
Unsealed service penetrations in walls and floors, allowing fire and smoke to spread between apartments.
Poorly maintained or incorrectly installed fire-stopping materials, reducing their effectiveness.
Inadequate compartmentation, which compromised the ability to contain fires within designated areas.
Lack of proper documentation and certification for previously completed fire-stopping works.
The key requirements of the project were to:
Conduct Thorough Inspections: Using advanced inspection techniques, including borescope cameras and thermal imaging, to assess the full extent of the deficiencies.
Develop a Remedial Strategy: Designing a comprehensive and compliant solution tailored to each apartment block’s unique structural and occupancy characteristics.
Engage Certified Contractors: Managing a rigorous tendering process to appoint accredited fire stopping contractors, ensuring all work was executed to the highest standards.
Oversee Implementation: Providing end-to-end project management, from scheduling works to quality assurance and final certification.
Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Guaranteeing that all remedial actions complied with UK fire safety legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and BS 9999:2017 guidelines.
Challenges & Solutions
One of the main or key challenges encountered during the project was the accessibility of service risers and voids where fire stopping deficiencies were most prevalent. In many instances, these areas were located within private residential units, often requiring access through kitchens, bathrooms, and utility cupboards. This presented logistical and resident engagement challenges. To address this, City Group implemented a meticulous project coordination plan that included:
Resident Communication Strategy: Developing clear and concise communication materials, including letters and FAQs, to inform tenants about the nature of the work, expected timeframes, and the necessity of access to their apartments.
Minimising Disruption: Scheduling works at convenient times and employing methods that reduced intrusion, such as localised containment zones and dust-free drilling techniques.
Detailed Site Mapping: Maintaining precise records of all access points, existing conditions, and required interventions to ensure consistency and efficiency throughout the project.
Project Execution & Outcome
City Group successfully executed the fire stopping program with minimal disruption to residents while maintaining strict compliance with all regulatory requirements. The key outcomes of the project included:
Comprehensive Fire Compartmentation Restoration: All penetrations and gaps were sealed using appropriate fire stopping methods, such as intumescent sealants, fire mortars, pipe wraps, and fire-rated collars.
Enhanced Safety for Residents: The improvements significantly reduced the risk of fire and smoke spread, offering enhanced protection to all occupants.
Transparent Documentation & Certification: Each completed fire stopping intervention was logged and certified, providing building owners with a clear compliance record for future inspections and audits.
Efficient Project Delivery: Despite the complexities of the project, all works were completed on time and within the allocated £1 million budget, demonstrating CityGroup’s ability to manage large-scale fire safety initiatives effectively.
Conclusion
City Group successful delivery of this fire stopping project underscores its expertise in fire safety project management within multi-let residential environments. By combining technical proficiency, strong project coordination, and a resident-focused approach, City Group ensured that these 24 apartment blocks are now significantly safer, meeting the latest fire safety standards. This case study highlights the importance of ongoing fire safety compliance and the role that professional project management plays in delivering effective fire stopping solutions. CityGroup’s proactive and structured approach demonstrates its commitment to protecting lives and property, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted partner in the field of fire safety management.