Park East

Introduction

The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray has been installed as part of a major housing project , Park East in South East London, helping to improve efficiency onsite, and to exceed building regulations.

Overview

Park East is a £95 million development in Erith, designed by ECD Architects and developed by Wates Group. The project comprises 320 new homes, of which 20% are for private sale, 24% for Shared Ownership, and 56% for rent in order to accommodate a mixed tenure community. The modern, stylish homes are in close proximity to the local amenities and parks, with excellent transport links to London.

Working alongside brickwork contractor Lee Marley Brickwork, Keyfix supplied 3,772m of its Non-Combustible Cavity Tray (NCCT), 3,528 units of corners, and 20,774 units of its Non-combustible Weep Vents to this project. Keyfix’s sister company Keystone Lintels supplied 890m of its Non-Combustible Cavity Tray Lintel, which was powder coated as per the client’s request.

Challenge

The main challenge faced on this project was the brevity of the programme, which ran from November 2020 to November 2021. As the project was time sensitive, the main contractor required an accredited solution which could be supplied in line with the tight-build programme. Keyfix’s NCCT presented the ideal solution to this challenge.

Solution

Keyfix was able to meet the client’s objectives by providing products in accordance with their tight-build programme. To ensure the maximum efficiency of installation, Keyfix designed various types of bespoke units including preformed corners and pier units to assist Lee Marley brickwork in keeping to its the fast-paced build programme. Due to the scale of the project, the products were prefabricated, allowing the brickwork to be conducted swiftly. Despite the bespoke nature of the products, the first delivery was made just two months after the initial enquiry in September.

Duncan Marley, Contracts Director at Lee Marley Brickwork commented: “On the Park East development we required various bespoke products and Keyfix were able to provide a quick turnaround on those. The Keyfix NCCT also helped us to save time significantly because the system is so quick to install. Keyfix also provided us with a scheduled breakdown of components which was a great help.”

The Keyfix NCCT was specified due to its ‘one-piece system’ which allows for a very simple and efficient installation. The system is self-supporting as it doesn’t require fixing back to the internal frame, therefore saving valuable time. Additionally, the adjustability of the perp joint allows for the cavity trays to be shunted to match the brick coursing on site, ensuring consistency in the brickwork formation.

The NCCT was also chosen due to its A1 fire rating. It is made from non-combustible Grade 304 stainless steel which will never contribute to fire loading in the building. This fully compliant system ensures that the Park East buildings will be future-proofed against the implementation of tighter regulations.

The non-combustible nature of the product makes it an effective solution to provide DPC protection over lintels, masonry supports, soffit systems and other elements in the cavity such as fire barriers. Additionally, the fact that the Keyfix NCCT does not rely on tape or mastics to form its watertight joints negates the prevalent cause of product failure and creates a more robust system altogether.

In addition to providing NCCTs, Keyfix identified where it could offer technical support, and provided a full technical review of architects drawings, a comprehensive mark-up, and a scheduled breakdown of component location. The team also attended design meetings to ensure that the products were being used correctly, as well as hosting a Tool Box Talk prior to the first install to ensure the system was installed properly.

Commenting on the NCCT, Kieran Coyle of Keyfix stated, “The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray is an A1 fire rated system, ensuring our customers peace of mind as their buildings are future-proofed and safeguarded against fire, as well as our on-site benefits.”

The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray has played an important part in the creation of a safe new-build development for future tenants to enjoy.