Adapt and improve: 1970s tower blocks made safer, smarter and warmer
First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) committed £2.6m to refurbishing its high-rise properties Littlemoor House and Montgomery House. The investment made the 1970s buildings more energy efficient and compliant with the very latest fire safety regulations, as well as bringing the tower blocks’ aesthetics right up to date.
The housing association engaged The Casey Group Ltd as main contractor to carry out the expansive refurbishment and energy efficiency upgrade package on Littlemoor House and Montgomery House. In turn, The Casey Group employed Hamilton (Building Contractors) Ltd to be the external wall insulation (EWI) sub-contractor for this specialist high rise job.
Thermal efficiency was boosted thanks to a new roofing system and replacement double glazed windows, alongside the new exterior wall insulation: all improvements that should significantly lower heating bills for more than 100 residents, who remained in their homes throughout the work on these two buildings.
When the project began, the buildings had an ageing cladding system in place that needed to be removed and replaced by Hamilton to meet today’s more stringent fire safety standards. The company installed Wetherby A2 EWI system which includes limited-combustibility stone wool (suitable for buildings of this nature) with a clay brick slip finish to the ground floor and a silicone render finish above.
At Littlemoor, due to the complicated layout of the building, with varying ground levels and large numbers of elevations to be treated, it was established that mast climbers would be the most appropriate and efficient method of access for this project.
Initial inspections of the building showed a concrete substrate. However, on removal of the existing insulation system, it became apparent that three elevations also had a steel frame construction that required a number of structural repairs. Hamilton capably carried out the repairs and worked in partnership with the EWI designers to come up with a completely new solution for these SFS areas. It was decided that Hamilton would install a cavity rail system incorporating fire stops and intumescent strips to form a cavity to install the EWI here.
Both Hamilton and Casey adapted admirably to changing circumstances on the site. Another challenge facing the project was the COVID-19 UK lockdown which temporarily suspended all activity. The Casey Group acted swiftly and responsibly to ensure that all teams, including Hamilton’s onsite staff, could work safely, and the project could get back on track without too much impact overall.
Hamilton Director Robert Storton explains: “This was a really rewarding project. Littlemoor House wasn’t without its challenges – but we’re proud to have helped FCHO and The Casey Group transform these tired and slightly rundown tower blocks into modern, eye-catching buildings that residents can be proud of.
“In fact, Littlemoor residents had a say in choosing the grey and blue shades of the render which have given the building its new and improved look.
“Hamilton has partnered with The Casey Group on numerous high rise projects such as this, and we’re always proud to play our part in helping make these buildings smarter and safer for years to come.”
One Littlemoor resident told The Oldham Evening Chronicle that “the building looks great – very pleasant and much cleaner… they’ve done a really good job on it. I think it’s a million times better”.
Brian Knowles, Construction Manager at Casey, said:
“It has been great to be part of the Littlemoor and Montgomery House improvement projects and we are really pleased with the transformation; it’s given these buildings a whole new lease of life.
“Once again, Hamilton has been a pleasure to work with – providing a high spec, compliant EWI solution to meet the client’s needs perfectly. The clear and honest communication that we rely on from the Hamilton team throughout meant that the project ran smoothly, despite a number of unexpected challenges, and we look forward to working with them again on future contracts.”
