Appointed in October 2020 by a client that we have worked with for 20 years, we set about specifying a suite of Fire Protection products to correctly and compliantly seal the numerous and varied penetrations and linear gaps over 4 new build accommodation blocks. Products from three manufacturers were selected for this project due to their testing data with the types of pipe and other materials that penetrated the compartment walls.

One common problem in buildings such as this is the firestopping materials compatibility with cPVC sprinkler pipes. This type of pipe is extremely sensitive to most chemicals that are present in standard fire stopping products and can have a breakdown in the chemical composition of the pipe in a relatively short period of time if the correct, tested products are not used. On this project, all sprinkler pipe penetrations were sealed with FSi PyroHPE as this product has been tested with the specific manufacturer of the cPVC pipe used. In order to maintain compliance, any seals that contained multiple penetrations but included a cPVC pipe were sealed the with full suite of FSi products as different manufacturer’s materials cannot be mixed in the same penetration. We also extensively used products from Protecta on this product. Protecta’s technical team were instrumental in the bespoke design of some very intricate seals for this project. Over 1000nr Tenmat FF109+ duct sleeves were used throughout the project with support and back up from Tenmat as required.

This was a fast paced project with up to 14 operatives on site for us at any one time. The record keeping was thorough and methodical. Each individual seal was recorded on Bolster Systems software by the installers and signed off on-site by our supervisor prior to the ceilings being closed in by the main contractor, ensuring that the electronic information is available to satisfy the requirement of Golden Thread record keeping.

Further to our assistance to International Fire Consultants with their Type 4 Fire Risk Assessment at a prominent development of 7 residential blocks at Cardiff Bay, we were appointed to specify the required remediation methods to the compartmentation and penetration seals to 467 apartments, all communal areas and service risers. We then provided a detailed quotation for the works complete with a methodology for the execution of the works taking into account that all apartments were occupied. Our project co-ordinator got to work developing the programme and this extremely complex project was underway. 12 months later the works were complete. The works came under intense scrutiny from South Wales Fire and Rescue service and we also provided the client an independent inspection of our works on a block by block basis. We are proud of this project for many reasons but mainly for the experience it has given us in occupied residential developments, which has helped us enormously to service clients with the same problems as this particular development.

Working closely with our client, we surveyed, repaired, adjusted and replaced in excess of 600nr fire doors to 27nr occupied assisted living premises throughout South Wales. This was a complex project in terms of logistics and client liaison with a large number of the fire doors being entrance doors to individual flats. Our dedicated team worked closely with the individual scheme managers and a method of delivery was developed as works progressed. A combination of Timber Fire Doorsets, Composite Flat Entrance doors and Timber Door assemblies were used to suit the individual requirements at each location. 

As part of our turnkey package all making good to surrounding surfaces with decoration was carried out in-house and all waste, debris and existing doors were recycled or disposed of.