Upgrading critical fire systems while residents remained in occupation
Occupied Residential Fire-System Upgrade
Birmingham
- Building
- Five occupied residential blocks with a shared basement and car park
- Client
- Asset manager
- GIR Group role
- Principal Contractor for fire and smoke-control upgrades
- Scope
- Smoke control, fire detection and alarm, basement and car-park systems, testing and commissioning
- Programme
- 12-week phased programme
- Status
- Ongoing
Background
An occupied residential development comprising five blocks, with a shared basement and car park, required the replacement and upgrade of critical fire detection, alarm and smoke-control systems.
GIR Group was appointed as Principal Contractor to deliver the works through a 12-week phased programme while residents remained in occupation.
The Challenge
Continuity of protection was central to the project. Existing systems needed to be isolated, removed, replaced and recommissioned without leaving fire-alarm coverage, smoke-control arrangements or escape routes unmanaged.
The programme also required careful coordination between residents, building management and specialist contractors. Access, system isolations, temporary protection and commissioning activities all needed to be controlled around an operational residential environment.
What We Did
GIR Group planned and managed the works across the development through a structured, block-by-block delivery programme.
- Coordinated the replacement and upgrade of smoke-control and ventilation systems.
- Renewed fire detection, alarm and monitoring arrangements across the five residential blocks.
- Managed upgrades to the associated basement and car-park ventilation, detection and control systems.
- Controlled system isolations, temporary protection, testing and commissioning, followed by certification and training for the building management team.
The Outcome
The defined fire detection, alarm, smoke-control and associated systems were renewed across all five blocks, including the shared basement and car park.
The installations were tested, commissioned and handed over with the relevant operating information, certification and management training.
Residents remained in occupation throughout the 12-week phased programme, avoiding the need for decant while GIR Group maintained control of the works, specialist interfaces and continuity arrangements.
