Belvedere Tower, Cambridge

Strip and Re-install of ACM Cladding

SCF were approached through the Chartered Building Surveyors for the Clients to look at carrying out some initial work on preparing a cost plan for re-cladding the building. 

Our initial works involved preparing two three dimensional models reviewing the impact of changing from curved ACM Panels to Flat Aluminium Panels faceting at the joint positions. From the images below, it is clear that there is very little visual discrepancy between the curved and faceted panels. 
The next stage of the works was to carry out an intrusive survey on the building to determine the full scope of works required. 

The intrusive survey allowed us to determine the substructure was a bracket and rail system fixed back to blockwork external walls on a concrete floor slab. It allowed us to assess that there were fire barriers installed to the perimeter of openings but no cavity barriers were in place throughout the construction. The building had been suffering leaks since completion, it became obvious upon inspection that there was no vapour control layer within the construction and that perimeter openings had no seals to ensure the building envelope was complete. Remediation work to correct the leaks had been to the ACM Panels which form a rainscreen cladding to the building, further compounding the issue by sealing the panel joints and ensuring any moisture was kept within the cavity and not in any way addressing the 'sealed' (or not) building line. There was also evidence of some tampering with the panels at low level, with scorch markings to the rear face of the PIR Insulation. 

The outcome of the Survey was our ability to prepare a more accurate Cost Plan for the Project providing a breakdown of necessary Components, Data Sheets, Fire Classification Requirements and Suggested Additional Repair Points. We provided a package of tender information, information as above as well as a package of drawing information identifying panels and indicative detail requirements, to permit the project to be put to competitive tender in order to secure funding from Homes England. Homes England are an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. Homes England hold the funding for re-cladding works to ensure these dangerous building projects are carried out in a timely manner safeguarding the inhabitants.

Removal of ACM and Replacement with A1 Rated Anodised Aluminium

Client: Encore Estate Management

Management Surveyor: BBS Surveyors

Fire Engineer: BB7 (Omega Fire Engineering Limited)


Recladding works required as a result of the Grenfell Towers Tragedy

Project Value


Recladding Contract Value: Circa £450k

MEWPS and Roof Edge Protection

Building Height: 30m


Access Considerations include the proximity of the building to a main traffic artery as well as the adjacent rail line.


Access Strategy:

- Full Perimeter Scaffold Access with external debris netting.

Under Habitation - Poor Existing Construction

When considering how best to tackle the recladding of this building, it was key that we took into account the issues the inhabitants had had with the cladding since the project had been complete. This meant looking at strategies to weather the building and ensure seals were in place prior to simply installing the replacement cladding panels and substructure. 


We will be installing an A1 Rated CP Board to the existing block and concrete structure, ensuring a Fire Rated Sheathing to the building, this also allows us to get the building weathertight prior to the recladding work. It formulates part of the strategy in terms of strip, survey and fabrication, permitting the building to be sealed and externally exposed for up to 1year before cladding would be required (this is not the intention, we anticipate completion within 16 weeks). 


The  blockwork sturcture we are loath to penetrate and therefore we are opting to use a floor spanning bracketry system, allowing us to connect to the structure at floor slab only, reducing any negative impact on the building U-Value through cold bridging. 


The insulation was previously a 60mm Celotex Board, we will be installing an A1 Rated Mineral Wool Rainscreen Panel in its place. 


Anodised Aluminium Panels will be installed externally to ensure compliance with a full A1 Rated throughwall. 

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