Ensuring fire door replacement works around residents in complex social housing programme

Checkmate Fire has been selected as one of the three contractors for a major fire-related works framework.

This specific project involves the replacement of fire doors in various social housing blocks, with Checkmate Fire tasked with ensuring the safe and high-quality delivery of these works through their established management system.

Scope of works

As the framework partner, we have successfully completed the replacement of 319 doorsets, including front entrance and communal doors in various occupied buildings in London.

As the principal contractor, we implemented established procedures from The Checkmate Way our integrated management system to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of the projects. This approach provided a robust audit trail, documenting all health and safety measures as well as the associated technical details.

Approach and methodology

The initiation phase of this project was intricate, requiring a meticulous validation process for each door within every building, in alignment with the specifications outlined in the fire risk assessment to define the complete scope of work.

After approval, engaging with residents was essential to facilitate access for measuring doors and gathering resident preferences such as colour selection. Effective communication with all stakeholders has been essential to ensure that everyone involved remains well-informed and engaged throughout the process

Considerations

On this project we have had to consider social housing occupation distributed across various properties, the complexity of Gerda's specific requirements and strict adherence to FIRAS certification.

Key challenges

We were able to overcome both a lengthy validation process that we were originally unaware of and extended delivery dates from Gerda. Although the client didn’t have R&D information we managed the process through our trusted asbestos partner. Working in central London often presents unique challenges; however, despite the difficulties, we successfully met all CDM requirements.

Although the client was unable to provide any area for welfare facilities, we overcame this by leveraging our relationships with building managers to find available space. Checkmate Fire also adhered to detailed planning from health and safety departments to ensure all legislative and regulations requirements were adhered to.

Lessons learnt

There was a significant duration between the initial client contact and the installation. This delay mainly stemmed from the validation procedure, which involved inspecting and photographing every door in each building, regardless of how many were originally identified in the FRA report.

Following this step, approval had to be obtained from both the client and CA for any additional doors before progressing to measurement surveys. Subsequent delays occurred due to Gerda's surveyor needing to measure all doors individually, further exacerbated by a shutdown during Christmas time.

The delivery of the doors became notably protracted as a result. However, we successfully expedited this process through our strong partnership with Gerda.

Benefits

Although the project has yet to be completed, final costs will be on budget as we are on framework rates, all works will be certified and we have had no accidents.