Opal Court Student Accommodation Case Study

The property is a purpose built 15 storey student accommodation providing homes for students studying at the University of Leicester. The facility boasts 121 cluster flats with 723 en suite bedrooms, a launderette, games facility and a large number of social and study rooms. iQ Student Accommodation is one of the largest providers of purpose-built student accommodation in the UK. Housing over 28,000 students across the UK, it is essential that their properties are fully compliant.

iQ appointed Global to complete an independent PFP survey after issues were raised from previous inspections and a recent Fire Risk Assessment. We assigned our survey team and consultants to carry out an intrusive inspection into the building. Working closely with the Building Management team for Opal Court, we reviewed existing drawings and details to reference against the actual compartmentation build up. From these findings it was evident further fire remedial works were required. The Global team were assigned to complete this.

The remedial works involved updating the internal FR30, FR60 & FR90 walls and 120FR floors to ensure full compartmentation is maintained with manufacturers tested solution and updating retrospective fire stopping that required maintenance.

With the principal aim to upgrade the compartmentation of the building, we phased work across the building to a scheduled programme to ensure disruptions were minimised. All programming and access arrangements were completed by the designated Contract Management with the assistance of our office based Contract Support team. This allowed for an efficient schedule to complete all works. Over 50 Global Technicians deployed on site. All works to be completed against standard manufacturers test details and 3rd party approved under FIRAS scheme on completion.

Opal Court – OutcomeThe result of this contract is Opal Court is now a fully compliant and safe property to house students. Due to the proactive and efficient approach we took to completing these works, Global have been appointed fire safety contractors for a range of further iQ Student Accommodation properties.