Livingstone House, Leeds
Facade and Fire Compartmentation Remediation
Client Details
Client / Stakeholders: GSS Architecture / GenNorth
Location: Livingstone House, Chadwick St, Leeds, LS10 1LJ
Surveyor Firm: Trident Facades (Lead Surveyor: Ben Simpson)
Remediation Contractor: Trident Facades
Project Code: 00179
Survey Date: December 2025
Project Summary
Trident Facades was appointed to investigate and remediate façade fire-stopping and compartmentation defects at Livingstone House in Leeds. The project was delivered in two stages, beginning with an intrusive survey of the external wall construction and internal compartmentation, followed by the removal and replacement of defective façade fire breaks.
Scope and Completed Works
- Intrusive investigation of the building’s external wall and façade construction across all elevations.
- Investigation of curtain walling, cladding build-ups, insulation, cavity barriers and fire-stopping.
- Internal inspection of slab-to-façade junctions, ceiling voids and raised access floor areas.
- Identification and recording of defective, missing and incorrectly installed fire-break materials.
- Removal of defective façade fire-break material.
- Development of the external fire-break remediation concept design.
- Installation of replacement external fire breaks.
- Delivery of the remediation works from concept design through to completion.
- Reinstatement and quality checking of affected façade components.
- Detailed photographic evidence documenting the investigation and completed remediation.
Stage 1 — Intrusive Façade and Fire Compartmentation Survey
Trident Facades was appointed to undertake an intrusive investigation of the building’s external wall systems and internal compartmentation. The survey covered all elevations, including Chadwick Street, Dock Side, North Side and South Side, with the findings used to establish the condition and fire performance of the existing façade construction and inform the subsequent remediation strategy.
Scope of Survey
The investigation included:
- Intrusive inspection of curtain walling, cladding systems and façade build-ups.
- Investigation of cavity widths, framing, insulation and fire-stopping arrangements.
- Opening-up of external wall construction using MEWP access.
- Removal of curtain wall face caps, pressure plates, cill flashings and cassette profiles to inspect concealed components.
- Internal inspection beneath raised access floors and within suspended ceiling voids.
- Investigation of slab-to-façade junctions, cavity barriers and structural connections.
- Detailed photographic and digital evidence recording.
- Assessment of construction against relevant Building Regulations and fire-safety requirements.
- Identification of defects requiring remedial intervention.
Key Findings
The intrusive survey identified a number of significant defects within the façade and compartmentation systems, including combustible PIR insulation used within air seals and bulkheads, missing and inadequately fixed fire barriers, substantial gaps at cavity barrier locations and inappropriate interfaces between different fire-stopping systems.
Ablative batts were also found installed over combustible PIR insulation, while deficiencies were identified around decking apertures and service penetrations. The investigation also identified material and component compatibility issues, including galvanic corrosion risks and the use of PVC equalisation components where non-combustible alternatives were required.
The findings provided the technical evidence required to develop a targeted remediation approach rather than relying on assumptions about the existing façade construction.
Stage 2 — Façade Fire Break Remediation
Following completion of the intrusive survey, Trident Facades progressed the project into remediation, carrying out the removal of defective façade fire-break materials and implementing the required replacement fire-stopping measures.
Remediation Works
Trident Facades delivered the external fire-break remediation from concept design through to completion, including:
- Removal of defective and non-compliant façade fire-break materials.
- Removal of inappropriate combustible PIR materials within the façade fire-stopping zones.
- Installation of replacement external fire breaks in accordance with the agreed remediation design.
- Remediation of defective or missing cavity barrier arrangements.
- Correct mechanical fixing and installation of replacement fire-stopping systems.
- Remediation of fire-stopping around façade and structural interfaces.
- Completion of the works and reinstatement of affected façade components.
- Quality checks and inspection of completed fire-break installations.
The remediation works were developed directly from the intrusive survey findings, allowing the defective construction to be identified, designed around and progressively addressed on site.
From Investigation to Completion
This project demonstrates Trident Facades’ ability to take a façade issue from intrusive investigation through to completed remediation. Rather than treating the survey and remedial works as separate exercises, the technical findings were used to develop the remediation approach and deliver the required external fire-break improvements through to completion.
