Wrightstyle has begun work on a project to enhance fire safety on a 1950s social housing block in Bristol.
The project was originally scheduled to have started last month, but was delayed because of Covid-19 lockdowns.
“We will, of course, be respecting all hygiene and distancing protocols and using this contract to better understand how to work safely on a construction site,” said John Woodcock, contacts manager.
The six-week project for construction company Rateavon is part of a redevelopment programme for Bristol City Council.
Wrightstyle will be installing a protected escape route for Spencer Norton House, a ten-storey residential block.
Prior to the new installation, an old aluminium non-fire rated curtain wall screen will be removed from the core of the stairway.
Spencer Norton House, part of the Redcliff Estate, was built as one of the City Council’s post-war neighbourhood units.
Wrightstyle will be installing a double-glazed screen from its SR60 range, with a roof maintenance access door.
The entire screen, from the ground floor upwards, will be fire-rated to 30/30. This will greatly enhance fire safety on this older-style residential block.
A specialist team from Wrightstyle surveyed the site last year, and has conducted further site visits in the last two weeks.
These new site visits have been required to reassess site access, working areas and how to ensure proper distancing and hygiene standards.
“These kinds of safety issues weren’t part of anybody’s thinking last year, and we’ve had to reconfigure how to safely go about this contract,” said John Woodcock.
“Nor is it a straightforward project, with the screen itself being some 34 metres high and five metres wide.
“It also a screen of varying dimensions, reducing to some 2.5 metres in one of the bay areas, which has added design complexity,” he said.
Like much of the construction sector, Wrightstyle has welcomed the easing of restrictions surrounding Covid-19.
However, the company is committed to the absolute safety of its staff and other on-site contractors, and will be carefully learning how to assess best safety practices and how they can be incorporated onto other projects.
