Remediation may be required where an assessment or investigation identifies:
The extent of remediation depends on the existing construction and the findings of the relevant assessment or investigation.
Investigation & Opening-Up. Targeted opening-up to establish the existing wall construction, cavity barrier locations and condition where this cannot be confirmed from available information.
Cavity Barrier Installation. Installation of new cavity barriers where existing barriers are missing or cannot be retained.
Replacement & Repair. Removal and replacement of defective or damaged cavity barrier sections where appropriate.
Interface Remediation. Addressing gaps and interfaces between cavity barriers and insulation, cladding, windows, floor slabs and compartment walls.
Fire Stopping. Coordinating associated fire-stopping works where defects extend beyond the cavity barrier itself.
Cladding & Insulation Coordination. Coordinating cavity barrier works with the surrounding external wall build-up and any associated cladding or insulation replacement.
Cavity barriers are generally concealed behind the external wall finish. Where further investigation is required, our dedicated survey team, Trident Facades Surveys, can undertake intrusive investigation and opening-up to establish the existing construction.
Depending on the findings, remediation may include:
The remedial solution should be appropriate to the actual external wall construction and the project’s fire strategy.
Cavity barrier defects may be identified through a façade condition survey, FRAEW, fire risk assessment or during cladding removal.
Where required, the works can be coordinated with the wider remediation programme:
Survey → Opening-Up → Assessment → Strategy → Cavity Barrier Remediation → Façade Remediation
Cavity barriers and fire stopping perform different functions but can meet at the same interfaces, so where both are affected they should be addressed as part of the overall external wall solution.