Keeping Workers and Residents Safe Whilst Working on High Risk Buildings

Thomas Sinden Enhances Fire Safety at Edge Apartments with Innovative Heat Detection Technology

Thomas Sinden has prioritised fire safety on its Edge Apartments cladding remediation project by deploying Ramtech’s cutting-edge WES/Linear Heat Detection solution, developed in collaboration with Thermocable, a Halma company. This solution provides early and reliable fire detection, ensuring the swift evacuation of residents and construction workers in the event of an emergency. As buildings across the UK undergo significant remediation work to meet safety codes, protecting those working on these projects is just as critical as safeguarding the residents.

The cladding remediation project at Edge Apartments involves replacing combustible materials on the building’s exterior. The building, classified as a “high-risk building” (HRB) under the Building Safety Act (2022), features 64 residential units across two sections—one spanning 10 floors, the other 5. The project requires extensive scaffolding, which increases the potential fire risk due to the added combustible materials surrounding the building.

Thomas Sinden’s Construction Director, Matt Ayers reinforces the residents are of paramount importance.

"We acknowledge the ongoing disruption and sympathise with all residents on all external wall remediation schemes currently underway, accordingly their safety and wellbeing is our biggest priority, which is why we chose to install this technology."

Comprehensive Fire Safety Solution for Edge Apartments

In light of these risks, Thomas Sinden conducted a thorough fire safety review, placing the safety of residents and workers as the highest priority. As a result, the decision was made to implement Ramtech’s WES Linear Heat Detection technology. This advanced system offers comprehensive fire detection and a reliable evacuation strategy. Additionally, the system is monitored in real-time by Ramtech’s REACT platform, ensuring quick response and effective communication with emergency services.

Dave Eaton, Ramtech Business Development Manager, explained traditional fire detectors often face challenges in open-air environments, where the risk of false alarms is high. The integrated WES3 and REACT systems address this issue by providing pinpoint, real-time alerts that help responders take immediate action. These alerts are accessible via mobile devices or desktop platforms, ensuring key personnel are always informed and can respond quickly to minimize damage.

Enhancing Fire Safety in High-Risk Cladding Remediation

The Building Safety Act (2022) identifies high-risk buildings as those that are 18 meters or taller, or have seven or more stories, and at least two residential units. Following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, many such buildings have been found to need urgent cladding remediation. As part of this process, large scaffolding structures are erected, increasing the fire risk due to the added flammable materials.

At Edge Apartments, external wrap-around scaffolding covers every floor, often using timber boards. The addition of combustible materials such as cladding and insulation requires a proactive approach to fire safety. Conventional point-based smoke and heat detectors are ineffective for scaffolding, especially in open-air settings where fire detection is more challenging. To address this Thermocable’s IP67-rated Linear Heat Detection cable is designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, providing continuous monitoring against fire risks in environments exposed to dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures.

A Safe Environment for Workers and Residents

By integrating Linear Heat Detection technology, Thomas Sinden ensures that both residents and workers remain safe during construction. The residents can continue living in the building without disruption, while workers benefit from an enhanced sense of security. The cladding remediation includes replacing all combustible materials with fire-rated A1/A2 materials, and removing the existing exterior cladding, timber battens, plywood insulation, breather membranes, and cavity barriers.

Safety is always a top priority on construction sites, and Ramtech and Thermocable are proud that Thomas Sinden has chosen their solution for this important project. The system not only minimizes the risk of false alarms but also provides broader coverage of fire detection across the site compared to traditional point sensors. Additionally, the system is approximately 40-50% more cost-effective than other options.

Setting New Standards for Fire Safety in Construction

Integrating Ramtech’s WES Linear Heat Detection System with the REACT platform at Edge Apartments sets a new benchmark for fire safety in the construction industry. This solution underscores the commitment of Ramtech and Thermocable to innovation and excellence, offering unmatched capabilities and seamless integration that protect both workers and residents. With this advanced fire detection technology, the safety standards for cladding remediation projects are elevated, ensuring a safer working and living environment for all.