A set of flats in Stockport, some of which were damaged by fire, have been given a complete overhaul with the help of Johnstone’s Technical Specification Service.
Five blocks of flats at Lancashire Hill, in Stockport, were in desperate need of redecoration following years of wear and tear and a fire in one of the blocks.
Stockport Homes, in partnership with G & J Seddon, called on the advice and expertise of Johnstone’s Technical Advisory Team to provide a specification for the project – which involved painting all of the communal hallways and stairs in the flats.
Johnstone’s carried out an inspection of the site to determine what products were required to carry out the job and also to devise a colour scheme.
To help reduce any further risk of fire damage, Johnstone’s Flame Retardant products were used throughout.
Flame Retardant Acrylic Eggshell and Vinyl Matt were the main products which were used to paint the ceilings and walls. Johnstone’s Acrylic Gloss, Acrylic Undercoat and Quick Drying Varnish were also used to complete the project.
G & J Seddons, based in Bolton, carried out the painting and decorating work and recommended the services and products of Johnstone’s to Stockport Homes.
The massive project took ten men a total of five months to complete and the flats were completed in February 2005.
Andy Bell, from G & J Seddons, says: “Johnstone’s are our main suppliers and when we were approached by Stockport Homes to carry out this job we had no hesitation in recommending Johnstone’s Paints.
“It was imperative that a flame retardant coating was used on the walls because the flats had already previously been damaged by fire. Johnstone’s Flame Retardant products had just gone on the market and I had never used them before so this was our first big job using the Flame Retardant products.
“We were extremely pleased with the results. The Flame Retardant coatings are easy to apply and are perfect for big contracts such as this one with the council,” he adds.
Gareth Jones, area sales representative for Johnstone’s, says the project was a three way partnership between Stockport Homes, G & J Seddons and Johnstone’s.
“We listened to what Stockport Homes required and worked from that. For example, we decided to use the water-based Acrylic Gloss and Quick Drying Varnish because it was important to cause minimum disruption to the residents who still occupied the flats while the work was being carried out,” says Gareth.
Lee Banfield, from Stockport Homes, says they were very pleased with the service received from Johnstone’s.
Johnstone’s Flame Retardant products have been tested to BS 476 Parts 6 and 7 and meet the requirements of class ‘0’ as set out in the approved document ‘B’ of the Building Regulations.
Flame Retardant Coatings release a non-combustible gas which dilutes the oxygen supply to the fire – thereby reducing the growth of the fire and provides that vital extra time for evacuation.
When used in combination with smoke detectors and fire alarms and a range of independently tested decorative coatings and intumescents they can restrict flame spread.