Application: 1.5mm grained silicone finish and phenolic Insulation
Area:  Aberdeenshire
Date:  2019
Project:  107 Semi-detached and terraced houses 
Installer or contractor: IRS Scotland
System Designer: Wetherby Building Services
 
This project involved the refurbishment of 107 two storey properties. The properties were system-built McRae type properties, timber framed with an external façade made up of Glass Reinforced Concrete. The refurbishment of the properties involved, stripping off and disposing of the GRC panels from the external façade and the addition of an external wall insulation system. 
 

After exposing the timber frame of the building and carrying out detailed inspections of the frame, all essential repairs could be completed to bring the frame back to a stable substrate. 

A1 fire-rated t cement particle board which was screwed back to the existing timber frame. The installation of this CP board brought stability and the addition of a fire barrier, where none had previously been installed. Also new timber roof sarking boards, a new weather tight, air-permeable membrane, new timber counter and tile battens and finally new Marley Modern roofing tiles. New roof eves extensions and gable ladder extensions were installed to accommodate the new external wall thickness. This was then completed with new UPVC facias, soffits, gutters and downpipes, new front and rear doors, new threshold steps and new handrails. 
 

In order to minimise disruption,  also all satellite dishes, television aerials, BT cable and boxes were temporarily relocated, maintaining continuous unbroken service throughout the contract delivery. 

The contractor encountered a serious unmitigated asbestos challenge when replacing the roof coverings of their existing tiles and failing, this discovery was never picked up during any previous asbestos surveys that Aberdeenshire Council had carried out, this was because the AB board was directly below the Celotex roof covering attached to the wall head, so non detectable during any previous surveys. 
 

Nesting Swallows and House-martin’s were also encountered, as this project had started late spring of 2019, the nesting birds had been roosting for many weeks, The contractor had to re-arrange out of sequence installations from submitted programme of works, to accommodate the nesting birds, allowing them to complete the necessary cycle of their incubation period, this was conducted in-conjunction with help from RSPB, local wildlife rangers.

 

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Aberdeenshire Council utilise on every contract, a key performance charter. In partnership with Aberdeenshire Council’s project officer, the contractor created a site-specific customer charter, this set the goals and objectives for the project. The contract was completed within the timescale and within the budget allocation.