Major Works

Following a fire risk assessment in 2018, the decision was taken to remove the external render system from Adair and Hazlewood towers. We have been working closely with residents to ensure they are involved in decisions about the removal, and also in the design and installation of a replacement.

These web pages contain the latest information on the programme of work, consultation with residents, useful documents and frequently asked questions.

You can use the menu on the right to navigate to the pages.

Adair and Hazlewood programme of work

August 2019

We have now completed the removal of the external render system on both blocks.  

We are working with our consultants Capital Property and Construction to develop the design and specification for a replacement, non-combustible render. This work is being done in consultation with residents and the Council’s Planning and Building Control departments.

Early external treatment design ideas, materials and window samples were shown to residents at a residents’ meeting on 27 June, which was well attended. We explained the next steps and the work involved to develop the detailed technical design and specification. We also updated residents on our progress towards inviting suitable contractors to tender to undertake the work.

We are keeping the London Fire Brigade informed.

Adair and Hazlewood working with residents

We want to keep all Adair and Hazlewood residents up to date and involve you in finding a replacement once the current render is removed.

Noticeboards

We will be keeping the notice boards in the in the foyer of each block, where we will post details of residents’ events. Contact details for your resident liaison officer is also on the noticeboards. Please contact them if you have any queries or concerns.

Residents’ meetings

We will be holding regular evening meetings for residents to discuss options, future work and answer your questions. Please check the noticeboards for details.

We are also meeting regularly with your resident representatives.

Key documents

Fire risk assessments

Fire risk assessments identify potential fire risks found at the time the assessment was carried out and the measures that should be taken to minimise or eliminate that risk. Some of the key things they look at are the safety and integrity of exit routes, the structural measures in place to stop or slow down the spread of a fire and whether there is anything inside the building that could start, accelerate or spread a fire. They are carried out by independent, fully accredited professionals.

Medium is a normal risk rating for residential housing blocks as residents are cooking and heating their homes.

References to individual flats, or images of individual flats (for example front doors), are being removed prior to publication to protect the privacy of the resident.

Air monitoring

To support previous dust samples taken before the enabling work and before starting the main removal programme, we organised a survey on 22 January 2019. This looked at concentrations (during typical operations) of respirable crystalline silica, respirable dust, total inhalable dust, iron, manganese, potassium, aluminium and titanium. A total of 12 samples were taken during the survey. 
  
The results of the survey found that all of the samples taken were significantly below the workplace exposure limits. In the case of the most harmful substance, respirable crystalline silica, it was found that the concentrations were not detectable. This indicates that the methods we will be using to remove the external render work well, with exposures not considered to be capable of causing detrimental effects to health through inhalation.

 

Adair and Hazlewood FAQs

 

Why did you remove the external render?

The external rendered insulation system was added to Adair and Hazlewood Towers in 1992 to 1993. It did meet building regulations at that time and was not highlighted as an issue in fire risk assessments previously. However, our most recent fire risk assessment, and investigation of the material used, identified that it did not meet current fire-risk guidance. None of the Council’s other housing blocks have this type of insulation.

Was the render on these blocks the same as Grenfell Tower?

The insulation on these blocks was a different material to that used on Grenfell Tower, which was an Aluminium Composite Material (ACM). Adair and Hazlewood had an external sprayed render insulation system that used Expanded Polystyrene Board (EPB) sometimes known as Expanded Polystyrene Wall Insulation (EWI). This was used to insulate the blocks.

What are you doing in meantime to minimise risk?

As soon as we were alerted to a potential risk we put fire marshals into the buildings, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The marshals carry out regular patrols. We have also installed fire detection alarms in communal areas on each floor of the two towers.The fire marshals will remain in the buildings until all the render is removed and we are confident that the risk is removed.

Who is doing the work?

We commissioned d+b facades, a company that specialises in this type of work for high-rise residential buildings similar to Adair and Hazlewood, to remove the render. We have appointed Capital Property and Construction Consultants to help us in developing the designs for a replacement.

Are you replacing the external render?

We will replace the existing system with a new system that meets all the current regulations and requirements. We will involve residents and their representatives in the design and selection process. We recognise that residents are concerned about the appearance of the buildings now the current render is removed and whether their homes will be colder. We want to have a replacement installed as soon as possible and have already started to look at what some of the options may be. We are committed to involving residents in helping to choose the replacement system, remembering that anything we choose will need to satisfy both health and safety and planning requirements.

When will a new render be installed?

At the moment it is difficult to give residents a detailed timeframe, but we expect to choose a replacement and be in a position to start the procurement process to appoint a contractor later this year. We would expect work to begin in early 2020. As soon as we can be more specific about timings, we will let residents know and keep them up to date.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact:

The Resident Liaison Team 
Kensington and Chelsea Council
[email protected]

Repairs and urgent issues should be reported to our Customer Services team on 0800 137 111 or 020 3617 7080. You can also report a repair online.