Seren Park - Cladding Replacement

This article has been summarised, a full copy of the letter is available within the documents library.

We are writing to inform you, that from Tuesday 28th February (weather permitting), we will be dismantling the hoist from the scaffolding on Section 2 and from Wednesday 1st March relocating it to the scaffolding on Section 3.

To facilitate these works, access to and from the rear of Seren Park Gardens may cause some disruption whilst this is taking place. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.

For privacy during the works, please keep curtains and blinds closed. To minimise any dust particles going into your property, closing windows could help prevent this, but it's the resident's responsibility and choice in taking this preventative measure.

If you have an emergency outside of our normal working hours, you should contact our out of hours emergency number 0333 121 0067 and leave a message stating your name, address and telephone number.

Please contact your RLO, Christine on 07766 420 977 if you have any questions or queries regarding these works and we wish to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused.

This article has been summarised, a full copy of the letter is available within the documents library.

We are writing to inform you that a single storey scaffolding will be assembled outside your balcony commencing Wednesday 1st February, this will allow us to strip and replace the zinc at a later date.

Please note before the scaffolding starts, we will be installing a plywood protection sheet onto the balcony decking.

Very importantly, could you please ensure that all personal belongings i.e. bicycles, plants, garden sets, storage boxes, sheds, bird netting, bird spikes etc. are cleared to allow for works. Please be advised that Equans cannot accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused to items that have not been cleared.

To facilitate these works, access will be required onto your balcony. We will be working directly on your balcony and around lounge and bedrooms windows, for your privacy please keep curtains and blinds closed. To minimise dust particles going into your property, closing windows could help prevent this, but it is the resident's responsibility and choice in taking this preventative measure.

If you have an emergency outside of our normal working hours, you should contact our out of hours emergency number 0333 121 0067 and leave a message stating your name, address and telephone number.

Please contact your RLO, Christine on 07766 420 977 if you have any questions or queries regarding these works and we wish to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused.

This article has been summarised, a full copy of the letter is available within the documents library.

We are writing to inform you, commencing from Friday 20th January or Monday 23rd January (weather permitting), we will be dismantling the hoist from the scaffolding on Section 1 and relocating it to the corner of the scaffolding on Section 4.

To facilitate these works, access to and from the rear of Seren Park Gardens may cause some disruption whilst this is taking place. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.

For privacy during works please keep curtains and blinds closed. To minimise any dust particles going into your property, closing windows could help prevent this, but it's the resident's responsibility and choice in taking this preventative measure.

If you have an emergency outside of normal working hours, you should contact our out of hours emergency number 0333 121 0067 and leave a message stating your name, address and telephone number.

We wish to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused.

Please contact your RLO, Christine on 07766 420 977 if you have any questions or queries regarding these works.

This article has been summarised, a full copy of the letter is available within the documents library.

We are writing to inform you, as from Thursday 12th January, Equans will commence with the removal of the existing render and cladding from Section 6 from the podium level upwards.

The flats directly affected by the removal of render and cladding works are as follows:

Flat Nos: 1,2,4,5,6,8,9,10,12,13,14,16,17,18,20,21,22,24,25,27,28,29,32,33,34,38,39,40,44,45,46,50,51,52,56,5758,,62,63,
64,68,70,73,74,77,78,81,82,85,86,89,90,93,94.

IMPORTANT: Podium level flats, please keep your doors closed at all times and do not access your podium terrace, especially during working hours. Thank you for your understanding.

Very importantly, could you please ensure that all personal belongings i.e. bicycles, plants, garden sets, storage boxes, sheds, bird netting, bird spikes etc. are cleared to allow for works. Please be advised that Equans cannot accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused to items that have not been cleared.

We wish to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused and thank you for your co-operation while podium scaffolding works have evolved.

Please contact your RLO, Christine on 07766 420 977 if you have any questions or queries regarding these works.

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 the level of works increases numerous inconveniences to you all i.e. Equans receiving of deliveries, skip deliveries / 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 keeping 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 accidentally hit the scaffolding, please let us know immediately to enable us to carry out any necessary safety checks.

Sections 1-6

Scaffolding to Sections 1 - 4 are complete, with minor adaptions required as works progress.

Work to remove the existing cladding systems on these sections has progressed well, as has the subsequent installation of the new cavity wall insulation, covering cement boards and all three individual cladding systems. The external wall insulation (EWI) rendering work is more difficult to manage during spells of unsettled weather so this will have a knock on effect for work in other areas. The main external wall top-coat render is more labour intensive and requires most of the operatives in attendance to ensure the quality and continuity from top to bottom without breaks. In-set balcony areas can progress individually.

Specific sectional progress is as follows.

Section 1: Zinc / Rock panel and EWI render installation has already commenced, progressing well and is at various stages of completion with just the external concrete staircase and the two Oriel window structures following behind. EWI render final coat has been applied to most areas and has received two coats of paint.

Section 2: Zinc / Rock panel and EWI render installation has already commenced, progressing well and is at various stages of completion, with all elements probably 1 - 2 weeks behind the progress on Section 1 due to the weather.

Section 3: This is the largest single section of the job and has been split into LHS and RHS for reference. Works have commenced on the zinc carrier system installation at high level on both sides, EWI insulation installed only on the LHS and EWI covered by base coat render on the RHS. Over the coming month, both sides of Section 3 will be base coated.

Section 4: Balcony wall to decking flashings and fire barriers have already been installed. The first phase of balcony decking is being installed at present to be followed shortly by the Rock panel carrier rail system and subsequent Rock panel installation.

Sections 5 & 6 (Podium area): Scaffold to Section 5 is virtually complete with some high level design elements on the upper terraced balconies to be ironed out. The original render system should be completely removed shortly with the exception of elements around the doorways being coordinated with the intercom and CCTV installers. Zinc removal is being held until the contractors are able to ensure the areas are guaranteed watertight. Section 6 scaffolding is underway and progressing well.

External balconies

The first phase of the balcony replacement works is underway and involves stripping out the existing decking boards, removing the timber sub-frame, installing a fire-break between the balcony steelwork and wall and installing a cover flashing with an EPDM waterproofing membrane tight under the balcony door/windows. New aluminium box sections will be fixed to the existing steel frame and the new aluminium decking boards are fixed to the box sections, up to the scaffold tubes penetrating the balcony, stopped and then re-started. One or two of the old boards will be left in the gap for safety reasons and replaced with new aluminium decking once the scaffold is removed floor by floor. The new decking will be covered with Correx for protection.

In-set balconies

Most of the in-set balcony waterproofing has been completed with the exception of six properties where there is standing water due to the heavy rain. The waterproofing will be completed in due course. New balcony decking will be installed very shortly in Sections 1 & 2, then 3 and covered with Correx until cladding works are complete.

Scaffold strike Section 1: The top two floors of scaffold (12 and 11) on Section 1 are programmed for striking mid-November as this will allow us to release scaffold ties and continue striking down the building during November and December, weather permitting.

Hoist move to Section 3: We are looking at re-locating the hoist to Section 3 to ensure that the largest section is fed with materials and make certain that the scaffold and hoist in Sections 1 & 2 do not have to stay any longer than they have to.

Scaffold security and emergency measures

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 even 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 Manager is also the Fire Marshall 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. Any access to the scaffold 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.

On Saturday 22nd October it was necessary for Site Manager, Anthony Amayo, to access the scaffolding at short notice to double check on the temporary rainwater pipes. In the event that any emergency weekend access is required at short notice, we will notify the concierge and Robowatch that we are accessing the scaffolding. We will also notify them when we leave. This is a photo taken from the live video stream from the automatic camera; sanctioned scaffold access was confirmed with the Robowatch Control Room at 08:00 that morning. Any persons accessing the scaffolding will be wearing Equans PPE.

Any other business

As previously reported, we have video evidence of an intruder on the high level scaffolding outside of our working hours. Access directly onto the scaffolding was gained from one of the apartments so can we please reiterate the dangers of these actions and ask that you all take whatever steps necessary to ensure this is communicated to all visitors etc.

Access to the concierge and podium is not restricted for residents, however, access to the podium is at your own risk due to the ongoing works. There is an Equans Traffic Marshall stationed on the podium in the event you need to visit the concierge office. We do ask that you access and egress your block via the ground floor where possible and for food deliveries, residents must meet the delivery drivers at the front gate.

Works to all balcony areas are now in progress and we can't stress enough that you all follow any of our guidelines regarding these or any other works. Please do not access your balconies between our working hours of 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Your safety and that of our workforce must be the first priority.

Copies of EICR certificates can be issued via email for those who ask for them, please contact Christine.

The RTM and Equans are actively looking for a solution for the water leaking from the podium into the under croft car park below and we are aware that this is an ongoing issue that's being dealt with.

There's been a number of leaks going into various properties since the original cladding has been removed, we are endeavouring to stop this happening moving forward. If you have experienced a water leak since the works began you should have received a visit from someone in the Equans team to have a look at any water damage immediately after the event and at least another visit to check on the drying process. Equans will look at each property individually and respond in due course to let you know the process if any remedial works are required.

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)
• Please ensure that you remove anything fixed to the external walls where there's a possibility that vibrations could make these items falls, such as pictures and mirrors. Also move any chests of drawers that have pictures, ornaments or fragile items on top slightly away, so not touching the outside walls
• Please re-secure your window restrictors inside their housings fixed to the window frame. The restrictors will damage the new window sills if the window is opened too far and the wind catches them
• Do not keep any fragile items on the window sills as they are too narrow and items can fall off due to wind or vibration
• Please note that under your lease agreements, with sufficient notice, Equans/RTM are permitted to access properties
• If you notice a fishy or chemical smell from outside, this is emanating from the fire-proof Rockwool insulation. This smell will dissipate over time once covered with render
• Pigeon netting is not being reinstated to balconies due to fire risk as advised by the fire engineer
• Structural alterations made by the residents are not permitted under the lease agreements
• 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 on request from Christine).

Important notice: Residents must be aware that it is your responsibility as the leaseholder/tenant to move ALL items off balconies, despite whether the items were present when moving in. The RTM and HAUS have confirmed that there is no storage on site for personal items.

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 materials, or 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.

Click here to read the full newsletter

The Equans site team at Seren Park received an amazing score of 40/45 from their recent audit visit by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) after scoring high marks in each of the three categories.

On 11^th October, a CCS monitor visited the scheme and carried out their audit of the site, commenting things like "The signage was clear, tidy and well presented. The overall first impressions were very good."

The CCS is an independent organisation founded to raise standards in the construction industry to ensure all construction sites present an image of competent management, efficiency, awareness of environmental issues and above all neighbourliness. Monitors from the scheme regularly audit our sites to ensure we are adhering to the scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice which is designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirement.

Each audit is split into three categories; respect for the community, protecting the environment and valuing the workforce each with a potential score out of 15 with a total combined max score of 45 available. To score above 13 in any category warrants an excellent level of achievement for that category.

Congratulations to the site team, who work so hard every day to maintain such high standards

Click here for a short video to celebrate our score.

This article has been summarised, a full copy of the letter is available within the documents library.

We are writing to inform you that we will be erecting scaffolding on the podium to the remainder of Section 6. Starting on Friday 28th October 2022. As well as the main scaffolding structure, we will start erecting scaffolding tubes from the podium level through the balconies, working floor by floor. The scaffolding will allow us to remove the balcony decking at a later date.

For continued resident and visitor safety, access to the podium and concierge may be restricted for short periods, however this will be managed by visible Equans Marshals. Any affected delivery personnel will be directed to the right location as soon as safe to do so.

Very importantly, could you please ensure that all personal belongings i.e. bicycles, plants, garden sets, storage boxes, sheds, bird betting, bird spikes etc. are cleared to allow for the works. Please be advised that Equans cannot accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused to items that have not been cleared.

Flat Nos: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 38, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46, 50, 51, 52, 56, 57, 58, 62, 63, 64, 67, 68, 70, 73, 74, 77, 78, 81, 82, 85, 86, 89, 90, 93, 94, 97.

To facilitate these works, access will be required onto your balcony. We will be working directly on your balcony and around lounge and bedroom windows, for your privacy please keep curtains and blinds closed. To minimise any dust particles going into your property, closing windows could help prevent this, but it is the resident's responsibility and choice in taking this preventative measure. Please also remove all personal items from internal walls and windowsills to prevent any breakages from vibration works.

We thank you for your co-operation and will keep you updated as works progress.

Please contact your RLO, Christine on 07766 420 977 if you have any questions or queries regarding these works.

From all of us at Equans, we wish you a happy Halloween.

A children's activity pack can be collected from your Resident Liaison Officer. Alternatively this can be viewed and downloaded from our 'Documents Library'.

Please be careful if carving pumpkins and stay safe whilst trick or treating.

This article has been summarised, a full copy of the letter is available within the documents library.

Please be aware we will be removing the balcony decking on the internal / recessed balconies for imminent replacement. We will start the replacement process by firstly checking the integrity of the waterproofing and repair as necessary. Once the inspection and remedial waterproofing works have been completed, we will start installing the new decking very shortly afterwards. All newly installed decking will be protected with Correx sheet until works are complete.

Balcony strip out, waterproofing and decking replacement works to all 59 balconies will take approximately four weeks to complete and will affect the following flats commencing from Monday 17th October. Any deviation from the planned works will be notified in good time.

Flats with internal / recessed balconies commencing Monday 17th October:

Section 1: Flats 104 | 110 | 116 | 122 | 128 | 134 | 140 | 146
Section 2: Flats 34 | 40 | 46 | 52 | 58 | 64

Please be aware that once the decking has been removed, there will be a 130-150mm (5-6 inch) step down from your flat into the balcony and a sign will be fixed to your balcony door to remind you of the step. The new decking will be installed at a similar height to the original decking and you will be informed about the installation date once all remedial works are complete.

Please contact your RLO, Christine on 07766 420 977 if you have any questions or queries regarding these works.

This article has been summarised, a full copy of the letter is available within the documents library.

We are writing to inform you, as from Monday 17th October, EQUANS will commence with the removal of the existing render and cladding from Section 5.

The flats directly affected by the removal of render and cladding works are as follows:

Flat Nos: 70 | 74 | 78 | 82 | 86 | 90 | 94 | 97 | 99 | 100 | 101 | 104 | 105 | 106 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 116 | 117 | 118 | 122 | 123 | 124 | 128 | 129 | 130 | 134 | 135 | 136 | 140 | 141 | 142 | 146 | 147 | 148 | 151 | 152 | 154 | 155 | 156 | 157 | 158 | 159 | 160 | 161 | 162 | 163 | 164 | 165 | 166 | 167 | 168 | 169 | 170 | 171 | 172 | 173 | 174 | 175 | 176 | 177 | 178 | 179 | 180 | 181 | 182 | 183 | 184 | 185 | 186 | 187 | 188 | 189 | 192A | 196 | 200 | 204 | 207 | 210 | 213 | 216.

Important - Podium level flats, please keep your doors closed at all times and DO NOT ACCESS your pdoium terrace, especially during working hours. Thank you for your understanding.

Please note flat numbers: 28 | 29 | 33 | 34 | 39 | 40 | 45 | 46 | 51 | 52 | 57 | 58 | 63 | 64 | 67 | 68 there will be NO WORKS taking place on your balconies, however workmen will be accessing scaffolding in close proximity to your property.

Resident and visitor access will be directly monitored and managed by EQUANS, however, this will mean that access and egress to your particular block will be required from the ground floor entrances, because podium block entrances have been taken out of service during working hours.

We wish to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused and thank you for your co-operation while podium scaffolding works have evolved.

Please contact your RLO, Christine on 07766 420 977 if you have any questions or queries regarding these works.