Summary Case Study:

Silver Sands Retirement Apartments | McCarthy & Stone

Fire Engineering Strategy and Mechanical Services Design

Key Data:

• Project value £3.2 Million
• Newly constructed development of retirement apartments
• New fire detection / protection design to BS 5839
• Smoke ventilation engineered solution
• Fire Engineering Strategy required for means of escape

The Scheme:

This new later living apartment complex constructed at Bembridge, Isle of Wight, consists of multiple units located over lower ground, ground and first floor levels,with covered car parking also provided at lower ground floor level. To comply with the requirements of Approved Document Part B of the Building Regulations a means of escape strategy was required, to provide a protected corridor route to each apartment in the event of a fire, via an engineered solution. The building geometry and client standards necessitating a strategy including the provision of fire alarm and smoke ventilation to the atrium areas.

Our Role:

The role consisted of the production of a fire and life safety strategy for the entire complex, followed with designing the mechanical smoke ventilation systems tocomply with BS EN 12101. The occupant fire safety strategy for this building employed a methodology of keeping all residents within their apartments until rescued by the Fire Services, therefore, the smoke ventilation design was based upon a ‘later stages fire’ suitable for Fire Services intervention. Plus, the detailed design of the fire systems as required.

Challenges & Collaboration:

Provision of a cost-efficient fire strategy and integrating the fire systems sympathetically with the architectural scheme.

Commitment to Sustainability and the Environment:

The company were required to work closely within the Client’s own sustainability and environmental policy, bringing ideas to the table and taking guidance from the appointed specialists.