Case Study

Project Overview:

Location: Greystoke House, 150 Brunswick Road, Ealing, London, W5 1AW

Project Duration: 4 months

Scope of Work: Principal Contractor works encompassing the design, supply, and installation of two AOV shafts, stairwell dry risers and partition walls as well as fire compartmentation behind the external cladding.

Project Description:

DMC Walling was appointed by Barratt Redrow, to undertake the necessary remedial works at Greystoke House. The works included fire compartmentation behind cladding at party walls on all levels. Internally, two AOV shafts were installed in the atrium, along with dry risers in both stairwells and additional partition walls at ground level.

Services Provided:

  External Works

• External Wall Compartmentation:Compartmentation works were carried out behind the external cladding on all levels to ensure the integrity of party walls and cavity barriers. This included, removal and reinstatement of selected façade panel, installation of mineral wool fire barrier, sealing of service penetrations with certified fire stopping product and full photographic QA evidence uploaded via Bolster platform. These works ensured that party wall lines were continuous, sealed, and compliant with current fire safety requirements
• Render Works: DMC carefully removed sections of the existing render to facilitate access to external wall interfaces requiring remedial fire-stopping. Following installation of new fire barriers and completion of QA inspections, the render was reinstated using a colour matched system. Great care was taken to maintain uniformity and prevent cold bridging at junctions. All reinstated areas were finished to a high standard, with stop beads installed in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and project specifications.
• Timber Soffit Works: Remedial works required removal and reinstatement of the timber soffit detail. DMC carefully dismantled the soffit boards; bridge required compartmentation to separate the internals from externals and reinstated the soffit with fire rated backing where applicable. The works were carried out to preserve the original design intent.

  Internal Works

• Internal Compartmentation: DMC installed new fire-rated partition walls at ground level, forming protected lobbies and separating escape routes from communal spaces. Internal shaft walls were constructed using SFS and fire-rated board, with full cavity sealing and coordination with M&E penetrations. All installations were inspected, photographed, and signed off in line with the project’s QA strategy and Clerk of Works inspections.
• AOV (Automatic Opening Vents): DMC Walling contributed to the project by supplying and installing Automatic Opening Vents. This critical element facilitated proper ventilation and safety measures within the building.
• Dry Risers: Two dry risers were installed within the stairwells to ensure firefighting provision across all floors. The riser systems included Inlet boxes at ground level and Outlet valves at each floor landing. The installation was pressure tested and commissioned in coordination with the fire strategy and approved by Building Control.

Challenges Faced:

• Live Occupied Building; All works were completed in a fully occupied block, requiring careful planning, tenant liaison, and phased execution to minimise disruption.
• QA Coordination: Strict QA processes required daily photographic uploads, Clerk of Works sign offs, and detailed tracking of hold points to meet compliance standards for EWS1 and final certification.

Results:

• All fire safety upgrades completed to current standards
• Full QA documentation and photographic evidence provided
• Successful smoke shaft test and system commissioning
• Project delivered on time, within the 4-month programme
• Building Control and Fire Engineer satisfied with works
• EWS1 sign off achieved pending final documentation