TheEngineerinBguilding, Universiotyf Leicester - firesafetyworks Melanie Smith describes the issues thrown up when trying to upgrade the fire precautions in a world famous modern building Fire safety works have been completed to the internationally renowned Sir James Stirling Building at the University of Leicester. The home of the Engineering Department is a structure designed by Stirling and James Gowan, built in 1963. It was the first high-rise structure in the region and its striking red tiled and glazed 11-storey tower with the diamond-shaped northlight roofs on the workshops and southern laboratory block was the inspiration for similar buildings around the world. Its lecture halls projecting out at the lower levels of the tower are seemingly supported on impossibly slender columns. Internally, the red tile and glass features continue with open atria providing a sensation of colour and space. The building is now listed Grade II*. Despite its architectural merits, the building has not been without its problems. The curtain wall glazing on the tower was replaced to improve conditions for the occupants; the workshop roof is affected by leaks; there were no disabled facilities; and the Department itself periodically feels severely spatiallyrestricted within its walls. This was the case when they decided to increase floor space by inserting two new floors over the boilers in South Block where the boiler rooms had previously extended to the third floor. On inviting the Fire Authority in to discuss the works and whether means of escape would be adequate with the increased number of occupants, the fire safety of the whole building was called into question. There were two main problems: the existing stairs in South Block were not adequate for the proposed new floors; but more significantly, the unprotected single stair in the Tower serving ten floors needed upgrading work as a matter of urgency to bring the building in line with current minimum safety standards. The occupants of the upper floors were at severe risk if there were to be a fire. The Fire Authority indicated to the Context62Ju1n9e99 University's Estates and Buildings Office what would be needed in relation to protected lobbies and new fire doors. Because of the listing, the University's Surveyor contacted Leicester City Council Planning Department. and as it is Grade II*,English Heritage would also have to approve any proposed alterations. Enclosure of the Tower stairway, as required by the Fire Authority, was not acceptable. Faced with the possible closure of the building, the University appointed Melanie Smith, Fire Specialist with Chartered Surveyors Carter Jonas' Building and Design Consultancy based in York. Her remit was to find a solution acceptable to the the City Council Planners, Conservation Officers, Building Control Officers, English Heritage, the Fire Authority and of course the University. The radical decision was finally taken to insert into the Tower (probably) the biggest retrofit pressurisation system in England The first problem was to decide what to comply with. The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 199 7had not been published. Being an existing University teaching building, there was no obvious choice, but a list of guidance documents (all having some relevance to the building) was prepared. These were all reviewed and, where possible, the 'best practice' method was used. Where possible, compliance with Approved Document B was proposed. However, in a 35 year-old building, compliance with a document intended for new design is not easy. In addition, every proposal had to be acceptable to English Heritage. Compliance is often a serious problem with listed buildings. The existing design is often not conducive to meeting current standards but it is the existing design which is the reason for the listing. Sensitivity, a knowledge of architectural and construction history, and a solid grounding in the principles of fire safety as well as knowledge of the Regulations, are all vital ingredients for a successful solution to these problems. A fundamental review of the entire building was undertaken by Carter Jonas.All safety features were considered: structural protection, detection and alarm, travel distances, final exits, security, health and safety, protection of travel routes and so on. The radical decision was final!y taken to insert into the Tower (probably) the biggest retrofit pressurisation system in England. The building was originally designed for the Engineering Department and Stirling and Gowan ensured that internally it has a very functional feel. Most of the air handling specialists asked to tender for the design and installation of the pressurisation system, however, could not appreciate the absolute necessity of not affecting the look of the external envelope and wanted to insert large fans all the way up the Tower. Melanie Smith insisted that this was not an option and another way had to be found. Here again is an example of consultants who are experts in their field and highly skilled, but whose responsibilities may not extend to appreciating all the elements involved in sensitive works involving listed buildings. By employing Carter Jonas Chartered Building Surveyors, who have expertise in conservation and fire safety as well as practical building matters, the University was able to appoint separate specialists knowing that all proposals and work 13
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=