Silk House & Shoelands Court – Fire Safety & Building Services Upgrades

Client: London Borough of Barnet
Duration: September 2018 - July 2021
Sector: Public Sector Housing
Type: Residential

Overview

WG Wigginton Ltd delivered a complex, multi-disciplinary project of works at Silk House and Shoelands Court, delivering fire safety improvements, ERM's, district heating upgrades and new water main installations across occupied residential buildings. The project covered 67 flats across five floors at Silk House, along with 6 studio flats and 22 maisonettes at Shoelands Court.

This project was led by Senior Contracts Manager Mike Parker supported by Resident Liaison Officers , with a strong focus on safety, access planning and client compliance throughout the project.

What We Delivered

Fire Safety & Compliance Works

1. Fire doors and screens replacement throughout both buildings, restoring compliant fire compartmentation.

2. Fire precaution upgrades to refuse chute systems to enhance fire containment and limit smoke and fire spread.

3. Provision of an LD1 fire alarm system with interfaces to support future connection to a building-wide addressable system.

4. Futureproofing of fire alarm infrastructure through FP200 enhanced cabling loops at each level.

5. Fire detection coverage extended to roof spaces at Silk House.

6. Completion of surveys, reports and enabling works required to support fire safety improvements.

7. Decommissioning and removal of redundant central ventilation plant and associated ductwork within roof spaces.

Electrical Rising Mains & Power Upgrades

1. Electrical rising and lateral mains delivered with compliant containment systems in communal areas and within dwellings.

2. Upgrade of electrical intake and distribution equipment, including Ryefield boards, J-Type distribution boards, main switches, and surge protection.

3. Construction of a new external electrical switch cupboard with FD60 fire doors.

4. Fire-rated upgrades to former cleaners’ cupboards repurposed as electrical intake rooms.

5. Trenching, reinstatement and making good associated with incoming UKPN supplies.

6. Electrical testing, inspection, and certification of tenant accommodation, with rewires and remedial works completed where required.

7. Communal general and emergency lighting upgrade, exit signage and power supplies across shared areas, bin stores, and intake cupboards, incorporating LED auto-test technology.

8. New audio access control system with cloud-based monitoring and reporting.

9. Integrated access control to main entrance, secondary staircase, exit doors and bin store entrances.

10. Doors and frames upgrade at key access points, incorporating fire-rated construction and fob-controlled entry systems.

Heating & Mechanical Works

1. New modular plantroom, incorporating integrated fire safety systems.

2. Removal of obsolete boiler plant and transition to a modern district heating arrangement.

3. LTHW district heating distribution installed internally and externally across both sites.

4. HIUs provided to all dwellings.

5. Full system flushing, cleaning, water treatment, and commissioning of LTHW and HWS services.

6. Commissioning of extract ventilation systems to support improved environmental performance.

7. Builders’ works associated with new heating infrastructure, including core drilling and fire stopping.

8. Data connectivity provided from each HIU to a central on-site monitoring station..

Water Main & Plumbing Works

1. Existing water main infrastructure replacement, including new loft containment serving 14 manifold positions.

2. New water main splits, manifolds, and isolation arrangements introduced to improve control and resilience at dwelling level.

3. Ladder rack containment installed to support new service routes and maintain long-term accessibility.

4. Provision of 63 new water mains serving individual flats.

5. Fire-proofing and sealing of all floor and roof penetrations to maintain compartment integrity.

6. System pressure testing, chlorination, and TVC sampling carried out to each household connection.

7. Redundant water mains safely removed, sealed and fire-proofed within dwellings.

Results and Impact

The project significantly improved fire safety compliance, service reliability and building performance across Silk House and Shoelands Court. Fire safety upgrades restored effective compartmentation and enhanced life safety systems, providing the client with increased assurance against current regulatory requirements.

Electrical, heating and water infrastructure upgrades improved resilience, efficiency and long-term maintainability, while access control improvements enhanced security to communal areas. All works were delivered within occupied homes, with careful planning to minimise disruption and maintain essential services throughout.

Client Testimonial

"Having Worked with W G Wigginton for in excess of 10 years, Barnet Homes have found that they are a can do Company with a very client facing attitude. They are both professional and empathetic when dealing with our customers, and have been acknowledged by Barnet Homes Senior Management for their Social Value contributions. Barnet Homes would not hesitate to recommend W G Wigginton if questioned"

Paul Rose , Senior Project / Contract Manager