After the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017, the safety of cladding on high-rise buildings came into sharp focus, resulting in the need to replace all unsafe cladding. To improve building safety, the government took action by tightening regulations and clarifying responsibility concerning fire safety, especially in connection with cladding.
Over the past seven years, many buildings with unsafe cladding have had their cladding removed and replaced with new fire-resistant cladding. Of the 4,630 housing blocks identified that are 11 metres or taller with unsafe cladding resistant cladding, data released in a recent government report highlighted that remediation work has begun or been completed on only 50% of them, demonstrating there is still some way to go to ensure buildings are safe.
With so much work yet to be completed, and with initiatives such as the Cladding Safety Scheme, which gives thousands more building owners access to government funding to fix dangerous cladding, choosing a dependable team to carry out the remediation is essential. Having the right team in place will ensure the cladding is removed safely, in accordance with regulations, and installed to the highest quality.
Working with a dependable partner
When handling the safe removal of cladding, you must choose the right team to carry out the work. Having worked closely with contractors such as R G Carter and United Living, we are specialists in this area, with a proven track record of successful strip and reclad projects. Working with a reputable partner gives you the peace of mind that the cladding is installed correctly and ensures that projects run smoothly.
Below are just a few of the cladding remediation projects our team has worked on:
Renaissance And Baroque Court, London
Working with United Living on one of our most significant remediation projects, at over 5000sqm, we removed an existing EPS-insulated render system and sheathing boards from the residential blocks and replaced them with an A-rated sheathing board and Wetherby’s mineral fibre-insulated render system. Our team’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed throughout the project. Ersin Syuleyman, Site Manager at United Living, comments on the fantastic work the team carried out:
“Speaking on behalf of the United Living team, I have to say that we have no complaints at all. Typically, on a project this size, issues or challenges come up that can present difficulties, but whenever we have asked Eden something, they get it done straight away.
“Our client, A2 Dominion, is very impressed too, and there will definitely be more projects as a result of the fantastic work here, and that’s thanks to Eden.”
OrbisEnergy, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Having worked with R G Carter on a wide range of projects, we have been entrusted to carry out many cladding remediation projects.
The exterior of OrbisEnergy’s offices needed refurbishment due to its neat location on the coastline and damage caused by the weather.
Following the removal of the cladding, the client specified fibre cement cladding for this building due to its excellent durability and resistance to harsh conditions such as wind, rain, and heat. The building was occupied throughout the project, which resulted in the team carrying out noisy work at the weekend to keep disturbance to a minimum for office tenants.
Simon Middleton, Site Manager at RG Carter, shares his thoughts:
“I would definitely recommend Eden Facades. They’ve done a great job at the OrbisEnergy building, and I would have no hesitation in working with them again. I know colleagues are already in touch with them about working with us on another project we have in the pipeline, which is a testament to the fantastic work they’ve delivered.”
Orwell Quay, Ipswich
Working again with R G Carter, this multiple-phase project has been a resounding success. The team was responsible for removing the existing cladding and installing new A1-rated systems across multiple residential buildings.
The team had to manage the challenge of carrying out the project while residents were still occupying the building. Scaffolding was erected around the building, and the team worked closely with R G Carter to ensure residents’ disturbance was kept to a minimum and work was carried out efficiently and as quickly as possible.
The benefits of cladding remediation
Cladding remediation isn’t limited to replacing unsafe cladding; it can also be an opportunity to restore the external aesthetics of a building and update inefficient or weathered cladding. Here are some of the key benefits cladding remediation can bring:
Enhanced safety – Replacing or repairing unsafe cladding with fire-rated A1 or A2-s1,d0 cladding reduces fire risk and fire spread, protecting residents and occupants.
Increased thermal efficiency – Cladding remediation projects often provide an opportunity to upgrade insulation and thermal performance, leading to better energy efficiency, reduced energy costs, and a smaller carbon footprint.
Regulatory compliance – Replacing unsafe cladding with fire-rated cladding will bring the building into compliance with new stringent standards for building and cladding safety.
Aesthetic improvements – New cladding can enhance a building’s appearance, improving its curb appeal and value.
Taking action to improve a building’s fire safety
There are many different reasons to carry out a cladding remediation project, whether it’s to improve the overall look of the building, thermal efficiency, or to make the building safe. Tony Hill, Managing Director at Eden Facades, comments:
“There are still many buildings which require their facades to be changed due to fire safety issues. We have been involved in many such projects, and our clients have been impressed with our work and our attention to detail.
“After everything that happened at Grenfell Tower and the constant reminder of the importance of building safety following the recent fire at Freshwater Road in Dagenham, East London, I strongly advise taking action to improve a building’s fire safety by choosing to work with a trusted partner such as ourselves to carry out the cladding remediation work.”
If you would like our support on upcoming projects or would like to learn more about our cladding remediation service, please contact our team.
