Notting Hill Genesis
Housing Association Fire Safety Programme
A fire safety compliance programme across a housing association's residential portfolio.
The project for Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association involved fire safety upgrades to ensure the properties under their management were fully compliant with Building Regulation Approved Document B. The programme covered both low and high-rise residential accommodation, including assisted living properties housing some of the most vulnerable residents.
The overall objective was to survey and analyse the historic compartmentation between residential properties and assess the means of escape provision at each building. Where compartmentation was found to be inadequate, the company provided consultancy advice on the most appropriate rectification measures and then engaged and managed specialist contractors to carry out the remedial works to a certifiable standard.
Survey, consultancy, contractor management and quality inspection across the programme.
Osborn Associates were appointed to carry out condition surveying and reporting on the fire escape provision and compartmentation across the housing association's properties. From the survey findings, the company was then engaged to project manage the remediation works, appointing and overseeing specialist fire stopping contractors and fire door contractors to ensure all remedial installations met the required standards.
The scope extended beyond compartmentation to include fire alarm and detection provision, lighting and emergency lighting upgrades - ensuring each property achieved comprehensive Approved Document B compliance rather than addressing individual deficiencies in isolation.
Innovative solutions for poor historic construction in occupied residential buildings.
The greatest challenge was developing practical solutions to poor historic construction where the existing building fabric did not lend itself to standard fire stopping techniques. In these scenarios, the team had to devise innovative approaches to achieve the Approved Document B compartmentation requirements, going beyond off-the-shelf products to develop bespoke rectification strategies for each situation.
All remedial works were carried out in occupied residential buildings, requiring careful management of the health and safety aspects of construction activities in people's homes. Coordinating access, minimising disruption and maintaining security for residents throughout the works programme demanded close communication with both the housing association and the building occupants.
