Taff’s Well CVLICC & Depot

Sectors

Transport and infrastructure

Services

Fire engineering

Client

ACME Architects

Project overview

BB7 supported ACME architects from design, RIBA stage 2, right through to construction phase RIBA 6. The BB7 security team were also appointed prior to planning consent to ensure that counter-terrorism and crime prevention measures were considered for the development to ensure the safe use of the spaces being created.

Project Scope

BB7 were appointed for Fire and Security engineering on the The South Wales Metro project which involved the development of an integrated public transport network and a £100m metro depot. BB7 provided RIBA stage 2 and 3 fire engineering support and security strategic design services for both the CVLICC Control Centre for the Core Valley Railway system, as well as the associated Depot facility at Taff’s Well on behalf of Keolis Amey.

The BB7 response

As well as designing the development to satisfy the recommendation in Approved Document B, consideration was given to Hilton’s Brand standard which were also factored into the fire safety design of the development.

The main engineering issues were the restrictions around structural openings due to the clients request to remain as much as the existing development as possible. And thus, with this being a simultaneous evacuation development, the openings should be sized adequately to serve the proposed occupancy numbers.

The 120-minute fire resisting structure, also required additional justification for the extended travel in the connecting basement as well as the open plan kitchen provided at ground floor.

With regard to the residential section of the project, BB7 undertook CFD analysis to justify the open plan layouts which deviated from BS 9991 and worked alongside the M&E consultants to develop a drencher system which protects levels 09 to level 15 to satisfy B4 requirements.

Finally, BB7 developed a stage 3 fire strategy which details a three part evacuation strategy for the commercial build.

Benefits of service

BB7 created a Bespoke Fire Strategy for both the design and construction phase, and the residential phase. The BB7 team worked closely with the design team both onsite and offsite devising a bespoke strategy taking into account the end users. This allowed us to support the client when issues occurred on site and investigate different options that would also comply with the building fire strategy, but considering cost, programme and buildability.

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