The Project
Ochre Yards is a popular, sought-after apartment complex, well located on the south bank of the River Tyne and described by Bellway as “a prime location for young professionals and commuters”.
We first got involved in this development through Homevent, part of the Nuaire Group, back in 2003. We were originally employed on a fee basis by P+HS Architects to design the smoke control requirement. Following our design input, we were successful in obtaining the order to supply, install and commission the required extract systems starting with blocks 5, 6 and 11.
We also designed, supplied and installed a combination UniJet and UniForce car park ventilation system. After this, we also became involved in other phases of the project.
Photos © Bellway
‘A unique system’
Group SCS Contracts Manager Chris Connolly, a Project Engineer at the time, remembers: “It was quite a unique system with a mechanical stair vent which we hadn’t done before. It was pioneering fire-engineered solutions.”
Due to the internal layout of the common areas within the building and the travel distances exceeding the building regulations requirements, the solution was to provide mechanical extraction systems to the common access corridors.
The system briefly comprised high temperature run and standby extract fans connected to each lobby by enhanced ductwork via smoke dampers. Each lobby was provided with a dedicated smoke detector which provided the automatic operation of the extract system. As with all life safety systems a secondary power supply is required to provide back-up power in the event of mains failure. With this development it was not possible to provide a secondary mains supply, so a UPS system was provided by us to supply all of the smoke control systems.