Location: Borough Place, Marshalsea Road, London, SE1 1HL
Client: Starfish
Project duration: 25 weeks
Services: Independent access scaffolding, heavy-duty gantry, 500kg goods hoist provision, flame-retardant debris netting and statutory weekly scaffold inspections
AMA Scaffolding was appointed to provide an independent access scaffold at Borough Place on Marshalsea Road in London to enable an extensive programme of cladding remediation works to be carried out safely and efficiently.
The project presented several challenges due to its busy central London location. With significant pedestrian and vehicle traffic surrounding the site, the scaffold needed to provide comprehensive access to the building while also taking account of the public areas immediately around it.
In addition to the main independent access scaffold, AMA Scaffolding erected a heavy-duty gantry to facilitate a 500kg goods-only hoist, supplied and installed flame-retardant debris netting and was appointed to carry out the statutory weekly inspections throughout the 25-week hire period.
Independent Access Scaffolding for Cladding Remediation
The scaffold was erected to provide safe access to the external elevations of Borough Place while cladding remediation works were undertaken.
Cladding remediation projects often require extensive access across different levels of a building for a prolonged period. Contractors may need to remove sections of existing cladding, inspect the construction behind the façade and install replacement materials before the elevation can be completed.
For this reason, the scaffold needed to provide practical working platforms across the required areas of the building rather than simply creating temporary access to a single location.
AMA Scaffolding designed and erected the independent scaffold around the needs of the remediation programme, allowing operatives to work safely and efficiently across the building façade.
Supporting the Cladding Remediation Works
Cladding remediation can involve considerably more than replacing the visible outer panels of a building.
Once sections of an existing façade are removed, contractors may need access to inspect and remediate elements such as:
- Existing cladding support systems
- Insulation within the external wall construction
- Cavity barriers
- Fire-stopping details
- Fixings and brackets
- Interfaces around windows and openings
- Weatherproofing and façade junctions
- Replacement cladding panels and finishing systems
Providing suitable scaffold access throughout these different stages is essential.
The Borough Place scaffold allowed the project team to progressively move around the building as the existing façade was opened up, remedial work was completed and replacement materials were installed.
This meant the access system needed to remain reliable and practical throughout the full 25-week programme.
Heavy-Duty Gantry for a 500kg Goods-Only Hoist
An important part of the scaffold package was the construction of a heavy-duty gantry designed to facilitate a 500kg goods-only hoist.
Cladding remediation projects can involve significant quantities of materials moving between ground level and the scaffold.
Existing cladding components and associated materials may need to be removed from the building, while replacement panels, insulation and other façade products need to be transported to the required working levels.
The goods hoist provided an efficient way of moving suitable materials vertically during the project.
The scaffold gantry therefore had to be constructed to accommodate the requirements of the hoist while integrating safely with the wider independent access scaffold.
This helped provide Starfish with a more efficient method of getting materials to and from the active working areas.
Working on a Busy London Road
One of the main challenges of the Borough Place project was its location on Marshalsea Road.
The scaffold was erected alongside a busy London road with substantial levels of both pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Unlike projects on closed construction sites, scaffolding in busy urban areas must take account of activity taking place immediately outside the working zone.
Careful consideration was therefore given to:
- Pedestrian movements around the site
- Passing road traffic
- Scaffold deliveries and collections
- Material handling
- Access to the building
- Operation of the goods hoist
- Protection around the scaffold perimeter
- Safe erection and dismantling procedures
Planning these elements carefully allowed AMA Scaffolding to establish the access required for the cladding works while managing the additional challenges created by the surrounding environment.
Flame-Retardant Debris Netting
AMA Scaffolding also supplied and fitted flame-retardant debris netting around the scaffold.
Debris netting is particularly useful during cladding remediation because sections of the external façade are being removed and replaced while work takes place at height.
The netting helps provide additional containment around the active workface and reduces the risk of smaller materials or debris passing outside the scaffold.
This was particularly important at Borough Place because of the significant pedestrian and vehicle activity immediately surrounding the building.
The use of flame-retardant debris netting also helped provide a solution suited to the requirements of a major façade remediation project.
Statutory Weekly Scaffold Inspections
AMA Scaffolding was also appointed to carry out the statutory scaffold inspections throughout the hire period.
With the access scaffold remaining in place for approximately 25 weeks, regular inspections form an important part of ensuring the scaffold remains suitable for continued use as the remediation works progress.
Our team will carry out the required weekly inspections and identify any issues that need attention during the project.
The scaffold may also need to be considered following circumstances such as significant adverse weather or alterations that could affect its integrity.
Having AMA Scaffolding responsible for both the scaffold installation and the ongoing inspection programme provides continuity throughout the project.
A 25-Week Hire Period
The scaffold was supplied for a planned 25-week hire period.
The length of the programme reflects the scale of cladding remediation work being undertaken at Borough Place.
Façade remediation is often carried out in stages, with different areas progressing through removal, inspection, remedial work, replacement and final completion.
The scaffold therefore needed to remain practical throughout the complete programme rather than simply providing short-term access.
AMA Scaffolding supplied an access system capable of supporting the project through each of these stages.
Completed on Time
Despite the additional logistical challenges associated with working on a busy London road, AMA Scaffolding completed the scaffold installation on time.
Delivering the scaffold to programme was important because subsequent elements of the cladding remediation work depended on the access being available.
The completed installation included the independent access scaffold, heavy-duty gantry, provision for the 500kg goods-only hoist and flame-retardant debris netting.
Completing this work within the agreed programme allowed Starfish to progress with the planned remediation works without unnecessary delays.
The Result
AMA Scaffolding successfully completed an extensive independent access scaffold at Borough Place on Marshalsea Road, providing Starfish with the access required to undertake the building’s cladding remediation works.
The completed scaffold package included:
- Independent access scaffolding to the required elevations
- Access for extensive cladding remediation works
- Heavy-duty scaffold gantry
- Provision for a 500kg goods-only hoist
- Flame-retardant debris netting supplied and fitted by AMA Scaffolding
- Scaffolding erected alongside a busy London road
- A 25-week scaffold hire period
- Statutory weekly scaffold inspections carried out by AMA
- Scaffold installation completed on time
The Borough Place project demonstrates AMA Scaffolding’s ability to provide substantial commercial access solutions for complex façade and cladding remediation projects, including those located in busy central London environments.
Need Scaffolding for Cladding Remediation in London?
AMA Scaffolding provides specialist scaffolding for cladding remediation, façade refurbishment and external building works throughout London, Essex and the surrounding areas.
We work with contractors, developers, refurbishment specialists and façade companies to provide access systems designed around the individual requirements of each building.
Whether your project requires independent access scaffolding, heavy-duty gantries, hoist arrangements, debris netting or ongoing scaffold inspections, our experienced team can develop a practical solution for the work.
Contact AMA Scaffolding today to discuss your cladding remediation scaffolding requirements and arrange a quotation.
