Physics Tower Maintenance

Following the latest meeting with Estate Services and contractor Morgan Sindall, here is a summary of work planned for the coming week. Read these updates to keep informed on any noise disruption or changes to schedule.

Following the latest meeting with Estate Services and contractor Morgan Sindall, here is a summary of work planned for the coming week. Read these updates to keep informed on any noise disruption or changes to schedule.

Key points for W/C 26 November

Monday – Painting of the fairing coat continues on the south elevation.  Painting of the external concrete fins continues on the east elevation.  This should not result in any noise or disruption.  The landing window will be fitted on the seventh floor rear stairwell – some noise is expected.  Electrical works continue on the second floor.

Tuesday – Painting of the fairing coat continues on the south elevation.  Painting of the external concrete fins continues on the south elevation.  This should not result in any noise or disruption.  The rear landing window will be fitted on the third floor rear stairwell – some noise is expected.  Electrical works continue on the fourth floor.  We are aware that there are UCAS interviews taking place on this day, and works are planned with this in mind.

Wednesday – Painting of the fairing coat continues on the west elevation.  Painting of the external concrete fins continues on the south elevation.  This should not result in any noise or disruption.  The rear landing window will be fitted on the sixth floor rear stairwell – some noise is expected.  Electrical works continue on the fourth floor.  A professional cleaners “sparkle clean” will take place on the fourth floor.

Thursday – Painting of the external concrete fins continues on the south elevation.  This should not result in any noise or disruption.  The rear landing window will be fitted on the fourth floor rear stairwell – some noise is expected.  A professional cleaners “sparkle clean” will take place on the second floor.

Friday – Painting of external concrete fins continues on south and west elevation.  This should not result in any noise or disruption.  The rear landing window will be fitted on the fourth floor rear stairwell – some noise is expected.  A final clean will take place on the second and fourth floors.  Colleagues will begin moving from temporary offices to the second, fourth and fifth floor.

Weekend – No works scheduled to take place

If you have any problems or wish to raise any issues, please contact your floor champion.

A detailed summary is also available: Physics Works WC261118

Essential repairs and improvement works have begun on the Physics tower block, Streatham campus and will continue until December 2018.

There is a need to update the exterior of some of the tower block and to install new windows throughout the building to help extend the life of one of our most prominent features on Streatham campus and provide an enhanced working environment for students and staff using the building. This work will improve ventilation and thermal performance within the building, and will provide new automated double glazed windows with a manual override, much better suited to the needs of building users. Work will also be undertaken on the roof of the tower block to add insulation and renew the roof coverings which will decrease our carbon emissions and reduce energy costs.

Timescales:

Work will take place in three phases encompassing two floors at a time. During each phase, colleagues on each of the two floors affected will relocate to alternative office and teaching space for an estimated period of up to six weeks.

Decant accommodation includes a mix of existing offices and temporary space. All colleagues that are required to relocate should now be aware of their decant locations, move dates and moving arrangements. The process of moving from offices is being managed by an external removal company and each office will be visited to confirm exact requirements for furniture and removal. Colleagues will have received crates in which to place personal belongings and any materials they wish to take with them. All chairs, desk drawers, IT equipment and phones will be transferred to the relevant temporary accommodation. Full WiFi and data facilities will be available and the IT team are working to ensure specialist technical requirements are managed and transferred.  

Parking is no longer available in the rear Physics car park and for health and safety, the covered bike rack area to the side of the Physics building is also not accessible. This will be removed during the construction work and replaced with a new facility once the work is complete.

To ensure the safety of building users, pedestrians wishing to access the temporary accommodation to the rear of the building will be directed to use the internal corridor and exit to the rear of the main block, or to use the higher path that runs along the side of the building just below the Sports Park. Diversions will be in place. The existing accessible parking space will be relocated, adjacent to the rear door, to keep it away from the contractor’s activities.

Decant timeline:  

The Estate Services team are working closely with colleagues in CEMPS to ensure the project runs smoothly and the impact of the work is managed carefully and considerately.

All works will be undertaken by a third party contractor and their nominated sub-contractors, and as part of the tender process, there will be clear restrictions and constraints on methods of construction outlined to ensure the disruption to building users is limited.

If you have any immediate questions, please email Lisa Littlechild.