South Essex Homes
Services
Fire compartmentalisation; Decent home improvement works
What was our client looking for?
We started working with South Essex Homes back in 2008 to deliver Decent Home improvement work to over 3000 of their properties. The work is scheduled for six years and will provide tenants with new kitchens and bathrooms, electrical upgrades, disabled adaptations where necessary and footpath improvements.
To date we’ve achieved 100% resident satisfaction on the work carried out which is why we were approached By South Essex Homes to undertake a Fire compartmentalisation pilot scheme on one of their 13 story tower blocks with the intention of working on a further six.
How did we help?
Prior to undertaking the works, MITIE together with the property team at South Essex Homes, engaged with residents, leaseholders, Essex fire and Rescue and Essex police to discuss the inherent issues associated with fire safety and on-going maintenance cost. Following extensive product research, South Essex Homes invoked a “Holistic Approach to the Fire Safety” of these blocks and chose products by Gerda, for the fire screens, doors and panels, and TOR coatings for the intumescence and anti-graffiti wall substrate.
All MITIE people involved in the project were fully trained by Gerda on all products, which are subject to stringent certification and audit during the installation and completion progress. Within the common areas and risers 1 hr. Gerda products were installed, and this was complemented by fitting all front doors with 30 minute Gerda doors, all of which have integral intumescent strips and smoke restraints. Following the initial pilot works, MITIE went on to win the tender for the Fire Compartmentalisation of another 6 tower block.
The results
By taking this holistic approach to Fire Safety, South Essex Homes have made substantive savings on the annum maintenance and repair costs. With MITIE’s help they hope to double the cyclical decoration period and more importantly made the flats safer and more desirable to their residents.