Total performance for Kirkgate refurbishment

M R external wall insulation (EWI) from Alumasc has enhanced the thermal efficiency and appearance of Kirkgate flats in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Four 14-storey tower blocks are undergoing extensive refurbishment works, of which three blocks are complete.

Full project completion is on schedule for April 2005 - 25 weeks ahead of schedule.

Around 8000m2 of M R Swisslab external wall insulation and M R ST Silkolitt silicone render was specified on the buildings, which comprised a concrete frame with brick-infill panels.

M R Rendabrick simulated brick finish was used to create feature panels to contrast with the Silkolitt textured areas.

A 50mm phenolic insulation was used to achieve the target U value of 0.35w/m2k, which had the added advantage of minimising the insulation and system thickness.

Where recesses occurred within the building, these were fully insulated and rendered, extending the walls to a uniform level surface.

Silkolitt 1.5mm is a silicone-based render that provides many specific advantages, including excellent colour consistency and fastness.

The render is self cleansing and water repellent, yet offers good vapour permeability.

It creates a weatherproof exterior that is fire-safe, resistant to impact damage and has only minimal maintenance demands.

Alongside Wakefield Council, the partnership comprises Bramall Construction (main contractor), NPS North East (designer and project supervisor), Alumasc (MR EWI/render supplier) and sub-contractors SLK Contractors and Technical Access.

Because the Kirkgate flats are situated above Wakefield's central shopping centre, careful consideration had to be given to health and safety issues, such as the scaffolding to be used during the contract.

A complex, innovative solution to this particular problem was developed, whereby the scaffolding arrangement was suspended from the roof, working down on a floor-by-floor basis.

The scaffolding was fully enclosed to safeguard the public against falling debris.

The usual process would have been to pebble-dash the flats, however considering the location this was not a feasible option.

Alumasc came up with an alternative solution by using the Swisslab EWI system with an MR ST Silkolitt render finish.

As part of the tender process, Alumasc provided a detailed specification for the installation of the Swisslab system, working closely with the structural-engineering consultant Pell Frischmann, to determine the optimum insulation fixing type and pattern required to satisfy the wind-suction loadings in the area.

Vital 'pull-out tests' were carried out to enable an appropriate fixing and fixing pattern to be specified.

Alumasc produced CAD imagery of the flats to illustrate to the client and tenants how the building would look when work was completed.

Together with material samples, these visuals gave residents a good understanding of the scheme before work began and enabled colours and finishes to be selected more easily.

With more than 400 colours to choose from in the silicone render range - plus a comprehensive choice of finishes - the CAD imagery proved invaluable in the selection process.

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