INCA Case Study: Vivian House, Swansea

Project Overview

SERS were instructed to undertake structural repairs for Vivian House, however following the report it was highlighted that the project had problems with thermal expansion and contraction of the brickwork. It was therefore proposed to install EWI to protect the original building as well as benefitting from additional energy performance. The work included a new insulated roof, new windows and curtain walling encapsulating the old balconies and removal of combustible wood stud walling, and installation of new fire breaks.

Vivian House, originally constructed in the 1970’s, comprised 16 residential units spread across eight floors. Over the years, the building faced multiple issues related to thermal efficiency, energy consumption, and resident comfort. Pobl Housing Group recognised the need for a comprehensive refurbishment project to improve the building’s performance and enhance living conditions for the residents. SERS are a Trustmark registered EWI installer under PAS 2030 and were successfully appointed for the scheme.

The client appointed Michael Dyson as their PD for the scheme and SERS acted as PC on the project.

SERS worked with our structural engineer and Pobl to look at solutions to provide long term viable remedial works to ensure the longevity of the properties. We fed this information into Pobl and worked with their PD in Michael Dyson to develop and appropriate specification for the project and inclusion of new fire breaks where these were found to be missing or inadequate. We kept a log of materials used on the project and ensured only non combustible cement particle boards and steel frame was used for new parapets for example. These were insured to be insulated to prevent cold bridging and built to ensure suitable EWI detailing was also provided.

The key objectives of the EWI refurbishment project were:

• Enhance thermal performance and reduce heat loss in the building.
• Lower energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
• Improve residents’ comfort and well-being.
• Increase the aesthetic appeal and value of Vivian House.
• Minimize disruption to residents during the refurbishment process.

Trades & Work Conducted

External refurbishment works (EWI) including upgrade of existing balconies, Curtaining Walling, Fire Protection, New Insulated Flat Roof, Boilers Upgrades, and New Windows and Doors.

The work involves the erection of a full access design scaffolding to all elevations, with P&G Hoist. Which allows us to conduct the following:

• Fit new Rockwool EWI System
• Install new Curtaining Walling to front and rear
• Upgrade the Existing Flat roof, Supply and fit new Insulated flat roof with new falls and New edge protection.
• Concrete repairs and additional wall ties to existing structure.
• Refurbishment and rebuild of existing Balconies.
• Renewal, Installation of new UPVC Windows & Doors.
• Upgrade all boilers to 32 Flats
• Redecoration within all 32 flats

SERS Managed the H&S safety on this scheme using a full scaffold system with protection around access doors, debris netting and lowered scaffold fence to maintain segregation from residents and public. We developed the H&S Plan agreed our site compound and safe working practices to ensure the safe delivery.

SERS Engaged with Pobl to develop safe working practices with the client and effective communications with residents throughout the duration of the scheme.

The EWI design

The design was to achieve a U-value of 0.3 and also ensure that the due point was still outside of the building, which included a 100mm rockwool board for the EWI, however the overall performance was to reduce the thermal expansion of the brick substrate to prevent stress fractures and cracking which was achieved. The system supplier SPS Envirowall also ensured that suitable EWI detailing, wall fixings and weather protection was offered by the system, including checking the pull out tests on the substrate – see evidence attached, including u-values and pull out tests.

The design was passed over to the PD who collated the complete design and integration with the existing building, whilst submitting the required information onto building control for sign off. This ensured all material and designs were incorporated and installed to building regulations and fire standards. Progress photos and evidence of installation was undertaken to record the install process. The SERS audit process, using iAuditor also ensured project records and staged sign offs were not just undertaken, but recorded and can be made available in the O&M folder upon completion. Weekly design meetings were carried out at the start of the project between our structural engineer, the PD, SPS Envirowall and the curtain walling contractor to ensure an integrated compliant design.

Management

SERS undertook the EWI, internal building and structural repairs with our own inhouse dedicated labour and management. Where required for specific windows, doors and scaffolding we used our extensive supply chain developed over the last 35 years of trading across the UK and our thorough onboarding process. We had our own in house gas, electrical and carpentry teams available where needed too.

We developed a resource plan through the initial conception and into the execution plan for projects which allows us to plan and deliver the appropriate resources as required between projects effectively. We needed additional teams at the end of the project to complete the rendering following a new external gas supply being installed on the rear of the property. We were able to plan this work in and over double the resource to ensure completion to the agreed programme.

SERS management undertook weekly health and safety inspections and staged handover (Attached) floor by floor as the scaffold was struck. We used a designed scaffold due to the size and hoist, which was independently checked weekly by the scaffold company and certificates retained within the site office. Our commercial manager undertook monthly valuations and agreed these on site with the clerk of works during the monthly progress meeting with the client. The monthly meeting reviewed the key project KPI’s and reviewed programme updates, that included any instructed works to ensure cost and time were monitored throughout.

Handover

SERS completed the work and collated the O&M folder during the project to ensure a quick project handover for the client. The staged sign off with the client during scaffold strikes also helped the client ensure there was not a large amount of work to sign off on completion. CP12 gas certificates and electrical certification was also collated during the project and filed to ensure good site records were kept throughout the project – please see examples attached.

Resident Engagement

SERS utilised our resident engagement toolkit on the project for an efficient communication strategy with regular weekly drop in sessions and monthly project updates for residents too. Our site maanger was very hands on and provided support for residents if needed throughout while scaffold was up and we ensured sufficient lighting levels for example were made available to ensure their safety throughout the project.

Statutory Authorities

A new main gas riser was required to be installed on the project by the utility provider. We agreed a programme of works and ensured the existing riser was left until the new gas pipe as installed on threaded bar to ensure no cold bridging occurred. This was completed on time and budget to leave a well detailed project and ensure longevity of the EWI system too.

The scheme developed through structural inspections, surveys and value engineering solutions for the client and provided a comprehensive scope that did not just achieve the protection and extend the life of the building that had failed, but also significantly improved the comfort of the residents and reduced their energy bills through the current cost of living crises.

The project was delivered within the contract programme and to budget, with the below client statement:

“We are thrilled to complete this significant refurbishment project at Vivian House,”

said Mr. John Evans, CEO of Pobl Housing Group.

“Our aim was to create a more sustainable and comfortable living environment for our residents while reducing their energy costs. By investing in EWI and other energy-saving measures, we are not only improving the quality of life for our tenants but also contributing to a greener future for Swansea.”

The solution also substantially benefitted the residents of the properties keeping the flats cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The finish of the properties also drastically improved the aesthetics of the block in the area for neighbouring residents.