Project Overview
We were appointed to carry out restorative cleaning and treatment of the external cladding at a busy operational fire station in East London. The building features multi‑storey red façade panels that had suffered from UV fading, water staining and general environmental degradation. The objective was to restore the panels to a uniform, high‑quality finish suitable for a public‑facing emergency services facility, while ensuring zero disruption to station operations.
The Access Challenge
The fire station remained fully operational throughout the works, with emergency vehicles requiring unrestricted access at all times. Traditional scaffolding was not an option due to:
- Continuous appliance movement in and out of bays
- Limited ground space for scaffold erection
- The need to avoid obstructing sightlines or access routes
- Programme constraints that required rapid mobilisation and flexible working windows
- A mobile, non‑intrusive access method was essential.
- All works were delivered using MEWP access, allowing our operatives to reach all elevations safely and efficiently without interfering with station operations. Our technicians — trained in the use of approved cladding restoration products — carried out a full restorative programme including:
- Controlled cleaning and decontamination of the façade
- Removal of oxidation, chalking and water staining
- Application of specialist restoration compounds to revive colour depth
- Protective finishing to improve durability and UV resistance
- MEWP access provided the flexibility to reposition quickly, maintain safe exclusion zones and work around live operational requirements.
Safety & Efficiency
Working on an active fire station required strict coordination with the station manager and appliance crews. Key safety measures included:
- Dynamic risk assessments and daily MEWP checks
- Clear exclusion zones with no impact on emergency response routes
- Flexible working hours to avoid peak operational periods
- Full compliance with Health & Safety and MEWP regulations
The approach ensured zero disruption to emergency operations and maintained a safe environment for staff and the public.
The Result
The cladding was restored to a clean, consistent and visually striking finish, significantly improving the building’s appearance and extending the lifespan of the façade. The project was completed on time, within budget, and without any operational downtime for the fire station.
Client Feedback: “The improvement to the façade is exceptional. The team worked safely around our operational needs and delivered a high‑quality finish with no disruption to our crews.”