September - October Works Update
Welcome to your latest works update. You will have also received this as a hard copy in the form of your resident newsletter.
We would like to thank all residents for their collaborative approach with the delivery of this project as we fully appreciate that these levels of work increase numerous inconveniences to you all i.e. EQUANS receiving deliveries, skip deliveries and collections, noise pollution etc. We also appreciate those residents assisting with the clearance of their balconies allowing our operatives access to undertake our planned works.
We will be contacting residents in each section separately in advance of works starting in their vicinity and keep them updated throughout.
Should any residents require assistance with entering or leaving the car park via the access road please let Christine know. Our on-site traffic marshal will be happy to assist. If you accidently hit the scaffolding, please let us know immediately to enable us to carry out any necessary safety checks.
Sections 1-4
Scaffolding to these sections is essentially complete with just the top level of Section 4 linking into Section 5 remaining, this will be completed as the podium Section 5 is erected. Work to remove the existing cladding systems on these sections is virtually complete where accessible from the scaffold.
The fitting of the final rail and insulation for the cladding systems is nearing completion on Sections 1 and 2 and well underway on part of Section 3 with the exception of the area on the corner of block C2 where the scaffolding was re-designed. The removal and subsequent installation of the new cavity wall insulation and covering cement boards is underway and will be completed shortly, for follow on insulation and render. Section 4 Rockpanel cladding support rail installation will accelerate once the new balcony/cladding flashings are on site w/c 19th September.
Zinc cladding works, Rockpanel installation and render works on Section 1, will commence in earnest from 20th September following the numerous material deliveries that week. Section 2 works as above, will follow closely after. Letters will be posted to properties where render works are taking place as this will require a greater amount of visits on residents' balconies.
Zinc cladding installation will only directly affect residents on the roof terraces and top-level balconies and Rockpanel installation will only directly affect residents with balconies on Section 4. Again, these residents will be notified by letter when works are commencing.
Sections 5 & 6 (Podium area)
Scaffold erection to Section 5 has commenced and as a reminder, this will also include a small area of Section 6 beside the podium exit on block B2 as highlighted in the photo below. This is to accommodate the materials hoist and scaffold access stairs. The hoist has recently been installed to facilitate scaffold erection to the remaining Section 5 area.
 |
 |
Section 6
The remaining scaffold to Section 6 is scheduled to start in mid-October for a further eight weeks.
Other works and progress
Stripping works to the existing zinc at roof level is ongoing, however we are still awaiting confirmation from a number of properties where electrical sockets are still to be removed.
An external balcony will be chosen as a pilot w/c 3rd October to include the new flashing and firestopping detail, the resident will be notified before works commence as no access to the balcony will be allowed until this has been completed. Any balcony works will be made safe and checked by EQUANS before the contractors leave site. As this will be a pilot, we envisage this could take up to two days to complete depending upon balcony type.
Scaffold security and emergency measures
As discussed in the previous newsletter, scaffold fire alarms have been installed externally on the scaffold in various locations. These alarms are not automatic and will only be activated manually in the event of a fire, fire drill, or accidental operation. In the event of an actual fire emergency services will be contacted immediately, the concierge will be notified via walkie-talkie/phone and your own Seren Park fire plan will be put into action.
Fire drills - You will be notified well in advance via letter, notice board and Facebook and for this you will be advised to remain in your property. This will be a fire drill for EQUANS staff and contractors only.
Accidental operation of fire alarms should be extremely rare - In the event that this happens, we can silence the alarms remotely. The Site Managers are also Fire Marshalls and will make this assessment as a priority and ensure all residents are aware that this is a false alarm as soon as possible.
Cameras have been installed to the scaffold in various locations and are only activated by a trespass incident during non-working hours. Section 3 cameras have now been installed, so there is full coverage around the rear of the block on the scaffold only. Any access to the scaffold during out of hours is picked up automatically by a remote incident controller and escalated to the Police. Footage from the cameras is also sent to EQUANS for record purposes.
We are pleased to report that we have not had a reoccurrence of any residents trespassing onto the scaffold. The previous matter has been logged with further investigations ongoing. We sincerely hope that these type of occurrences will not repeat as we do not wish to implement any further stringent measures.
Any other business
Works to the balcony areas are now imminent and we can't stress enough that you all follow any of our guidelines regarding these or any other works. The safety of you and our workforce must be the first priority.
Moving forward, clear plastic film will be temporarily adhered to the windows / frames and doors to protect against render / paint splashes. Any blue film previously installed to windows and doors will be replaced with a clear film.
The water ingress from the podium into the car park is being reviewed with permanent solutions being reviewed.
Notice to residents
- Please ensure that you have contacted your insurance company regarding the scaffolding to your property and the risk of damage caused by the works (contents insurance)
- Bulk waste: This is to be left outside of block A2 next to the red barrier. YOU MUST notify Greenwich Council of any bulk collections before disposing if your items and you will be given a collection date. Please do not dump items in the car park as this is a fire hazard
- Leaseholders: Please notify any letting agents that new residents must be made aware of the works going on and to notify the RLO of any new lets, for contact details and also we are getting issues with parking and various queries from people we are not aware of
- Please note that under your lease agreements, with sufficient notice, EQUANS / RTM are permitted to access properties
- Pigeon netting is not being reinstated to balconies due to fire risk as advised by the fire engineer. Please ensure that pigeons are discouraged from roosting, or nesting on balconies as this will affect scheduling of the replacement decking and cladding
- Structural alterations made by the residents are not permitted under the lease agreements
- Important notice to residents: You must be aware that it is your responsibility as leaseholder, or tenant to move ALL items off balconies, despite whether the items were present when moving in. Please note it is also the resident's responsibility to dispose of the old bulkhead lighting from the balcony
- Friendly request: To help us identify flats when on the scaffolding, could you please place a label/sticker of your flat number on the internal face of windows (labels available from Christine).
Again, we would like to thank those residents that have come to EQUANS directly to advise of loss of the parking bays which in certain circumstances is as a result of our operatives. We are doing all we can to mitigate these issues in the future but appreciate you working with us on this matter.
We have displayed a few photos within the image library to give you all a snapshot of what is happening around the various areas to show you our progress and to give you a flavour of what is happening outside your homes.
