UK Construction Journal - Issue 1 - April 2026 - Flipbook - Page 14
AMTA ARGC: Global Construction
Engineering company
CASE STUDY 01.
Structural & Fire-Safe Cladding Remediation
31 Kentish Town Road, London NW1
The Problem
A Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) undertaken
by Jensen Hughes identified the building as High Risk,
requiring remedial works and resulting in an EWS1 Option B2
classification
This was not cosmetic.
This was a life safety and compliance issue.
My Intervention
I led the structural resolution strategy for façade remediation.
Instead of treating this purely as a fire consultant problem, I
approached it structurally — because cladding is not just
material classification. It is:
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Load paths
Support conditions
Fixings
Substrate integrity
Balcony structural interfaces
Cavity continuity
Compartmentation interfaces
The Structural Remediation Strategy
I implemented:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Ground Floor Timber Cladding Replacement
Curtain Wall Insulation Upgrade
Soffit Reconstruction
Balcony Reconstruction
Vertical Timber Wall Return
Result
• High-risk façade converted to compliant system
• EWS1 B2 condition addressed
• Certified under Building Regulations
• Asset protected
• Resident safety restored
• Long-term durability achieved
Why This Was the Correct Solution
The proposed system:
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Converts brittle failure risk into controlled
ductile behaviour
Maintains original 115–135mm visual thickness
Avoids invasive façade reconstruction
Preserves historic air bricks and detailing
Minimises impact to listed structure
Eliminates the risk of sudden catastrophic stone failure
Project Team
• Client : LAB GROUP
• Fire Risk Appraisal: Jensen Hughes
• Building Control Approval: SOCOTEC Building
Control Limited
• Measurement & Survey Support: Plowman Craven
• Structural & Remediation Leadership: Amtaargc Ltd
UK CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL
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