Merle Court, Kilburn

We worked closely with Catalyst to quickly reduce the risk posed to residents of Merle Court by removing Aluminium Composite Material and High-Pressure Laminate cladding panels. To maintain thermal comfort for residents in their homes, we replaced this immediately with A1 fire rated Weather Defence Siniat sheathing board.

We began works on site only one month after Catalyst’s initial enquiry, carrying out scaffold erection and removal of potentially dangerous materials under a Minor Works Contract. At the same time, we developed the design for the replacement cladding system with our appointed Façade Engineer, Frankhams. Together we carried out extensive surveys to confirm as-built details and inform the remedial design, supported by our Fire Engineer Tri-Fire.

The confined nature of this city centre site posed some logistical challenges such as a lack of material lay down areas and site storage. We overcame this by engaging a licensed ‘wait and load’ waste carrier who collected site arisings as they accrued. 98% of waste was diverted from landfill. The front of the Merle Court is situated on a TFL Red Route meaning that materials had to be transported from the back of the building through an extensive exclusion zone to ensure public safety.  

Mansoor Bashir, Head of Delivery, Fire Remediation at Catalyst said: “From the start, Higgins showed an exceptional understanding of cladding remediation Design Requirements and our key deliverables. Resident satisfaction and communication has been to a very high standard, the Higgins on-site RLO’s go above and beyond. Higgins’ Delivery team have been nothing but outstanding from the pre-construction team all the way to the onsite staff. Senior Management are always available and regularly attend site meetings”.