University tower façade replacement

Context

Combustible façade remediation is one of the defining fire safety programmes of the post-Grenfell era. Replacing the façade of an occupied high-rise campus building means getting the fire performance of the new system right, and managing the building’s safety through every stage of the works.

My role

I was the fire safety engineer providing input to the replacement façade design and its compliance pathway, including assessment of existing conditions.

Approach

• Review of the fire performance of proposed façade systems and their test evidence.
• Assessment of the compliance pathway for the replacement design.
• Fire safety considerations for staging works on an occupied building.
• Coordination with the design team and certifier through the approval process.

Outcome

A remediation design with a defensible fire-performance basis, and a building that stayed safely occupied throughout.