Dairy Close, Parsons Green

Lawtech were commissioned via a Pre-Construction Service Agreement (PCSA) to undertake intrusive site investigations to five occupied mid-rise housing blocks in Dairy Close, Parsons Green. Following failure of the existing system to comply with requirements, as a result Lawtech were commissioned by L&Q to remove and replace the cladding system. The PCSA further included a host of mobilisation activities, from liaising with stakeholders (e.g. Building Control), to undertaking design and tendering access requirements.

Working with L&Q, a Rockpanel FS-Xtra system was selected for its resilience to fire. The A2 rated system is BBA approved and holds ETA (European Technical Approval) Certificate. The D&Q team worked with L&Q through design workshops to identify an exact specification that met their needs, building on the recommendations made. This process enhanced collaboration to ensure residents’ needs were considered throughout. The existing panel design layout was utilised in the creation of the new system as this enhanced time efficiencies in creating the design and minimised design costs.

Throughout the construction phase a comprehensive team was based onsite including a fulltime Lawtech Project Manager and the clients’ Clerk of Works, this allowed for an ongoing review of works, facilitating project progress. In addition to this Lawtech worked with Capital PCC (consultant) and L&Q to develop a bespoke set of quality processes for the project, building on Lawtech’s specific rainscreen cladding quality management processes.

As the project neared completion Hammersmith & Fulham Building Control stated they wish to put the project forward for an award due to how it was conducted. As a result L&Q Project Manager Gary Lea was put forward and shortlisted for the Construction Professional of the Year award.

Following the completion of the works, a fire broke out within one of the flats. A resident’s laptop battery exploded, causing the fourth floor flat to be engulfed in flames.

However, the fire stopping installed around the windows and vents meant that the fire remained within the flat and did not spread externally via the cladding, only creating minimal damage around vents. This demonstrates both the extent of the fire within the flat and how it was contained by the robust quality-driven installation of the new cladding system.