Grahame Park Estate - Fire Safety Works
Client: Barnet Homes
Duration: June 2022 - December 2023
Sector: Public Sector Housing
Type: Residential
Overview
WG Wigginton Ltd successfully delivered a comprehensive project of fire safety improvement works across the Graham Park Estate for Barnet Homes. The project covered 228 residential flats across multiple occupied buildings and involved extensive fire compartmentation upgrades, fire door replacements, fire stopping works and specialist fire protection installations. The works were designed to significantly enhance life safety, restore fire integrity across the estate and ensure compliance with current fire safety standards for residential buildings.
The project was led by Project Manager Elliot Jennings, supported by Resident Liaison Officers , ensuring safe access, programme control and a resident-focused delivery approach throughout.
What We Delivered
234 internal fire doors across flats and communal areas, significantly enhancing compartmentation and resident safety.
60-minute fire curtain systems across two blocks, including compliant 60-minute fire-rated access panels to maintain protection without restricting access.
Refuse chute systems through the provision of 105 fire-rated refuse hoppers, improving fire containment and reducing risk of fire spread.
Comprehensive fire-stopping works to kitchen and bathroom service ducts, all service penetrations entering flats, and areas where fire compartmentation had been compromised.
Asbestos removal works ahead of construction activities, enabling safe access to dry risers, service ducts and riser cupboards.
Fire-rated access hatches to dry risers, ensuring compliant inspection, testing and long-term maintenance.
SAS150 metal grid ceiling systems within communal areas, improving fire integrity while maintaining safe, practical access for ongoing inspection and maintenance.
Results and Impact
The Graham Park Estate project has significantly improved resident safety and building compliance by restoring and strengthening fire compartmentation throughout the estate. The replacement of fire doors, installation of fire curtains and comprehensive fire stopping works have materially reduced the risk of fire spread between flats and communal areas.
The works provide Barnet Homes with long-term assurance that buildings now meet modern fire safety expectations, reducing future maintenance risks and improving inspection outcomes. Importantly, the project was delivered with minimal disruption to residents, despite the complexity of working within fully occupied homes.
Resident Satisfaction
Resident feedback throughout the project was consistently positive. Based on recorded satisfaction data, WG Wigginton achieved an average resident satisfaction score of over 95%, with a significant number of surveys returning 100% satisfaction.
Residents frequently commented on the politeness, professionalism and approachability of our operatives, as well as the care taken when working within occupied homes.
Social Value
WG Wigginton Ltd delivered meaningful, resident-focused social value alongside the Graham Park Estate fire safety works. Our on-site teams and Resident Liaison Officer worked closely with residents to identify practical needs and respond quickly, often resolving issues beyond the original scope of works. This included painting previously unfinished fittings at resident request, clearing and restoring resident-owned storage spaces, and providing emergency support such as arranging locksmith access and responding to electrical safety concerns following leaks. In addition, WG Wigginton replaced a damaged staircase at the Trinity Church Mum and Baby Unit, improving safety and accessibility for vulnerable families using the facility.
We also supported wider community wellbeing through financial sponsorship of resident fitness programmes in partnership with Age UK, contributions to local community events, and the delivery of fruit tree planting initiatives that encouraged resident engagement and long-term environmental benefit. The project created employment and skills opportunities through the recruitment and ongoing training of an apprentice, supported by accredited health and safety and asbestos awareness training.
Client Testimonial
"WGW have delivered a number of high profile planned and unplanned projects over the years. This have been a real success and in addition WGW have undertaken a number of excellent community activities which have resulted significant benefits to the community."
Gavin Bass, Interim Director of Property Services