Client: Plymouth Community Homes
Main contractor: Mi-Space
Work involved: Investigative Survey of cladding panels
Date: April 2018
The Brief
Following the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster, the inquest identified that the cladding used was combustible and it was recommended all other high rise buildings (18m & over) check the cladding and remove and replace where necessary.
3 Towers blocks in Devonport were identified as having this substandard cladding. Before the design works for the renewal/replacement cladding could be started it was necessary to confirm the existing fixing methods and condition of the concrete frame. SWCR were employed to carry out the investigative survey works.
The Solution
It was works agreed with the engineer to remove some existing panels, remove two or more courses of brickwork built over protruding section of concrete floor. Visual inspect the panel fixing details, brickwork arrangement and inspect the concrete edge and beam face to identify defective areas. We then carried out pull off test, carbonation depth test, chloride ion tests, acoustic hammer tests and a cover metre survey. Any areas disturbed through the testing where made good using Intercrete formly known as Flexcrete - Intercrete 4800 (Monomix), Intercrete 4871 (Steel Reinforcement Protector 841), Intercrete 4812 (Bonding Bridge)