Industry
Social Housing
Challenge
Complex collaboration with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
Results
Fire strategies completed within agreed timescales for Building Safety cases.
Key Product
Building Safety Case, Retrospective Fire Strategy
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Client Background
Wandsworth Council is a London borough authority responsible for delivering housing, education, environmental, and community services to over 300,000 residents. The council manages a significant portfolio of residential buildings and plays a key role in ensuring housing safety, compliance, and long-term community wellbeing.
Project Overview
Firntec collaborated closely with three different council teams, the Lift Team, Renovation Team, and Electrical Team, while also working alongside other consultancies in the early stages of a complex cladding remediation programme. A local surveyor enabled rapid mobilisation, with the project starting within three working days of receiving the initial purchase order. Many of the properties were occupied, requiring careful planning to minimise disruption, and some presented complex layouts, such as twin blocks connected by lattice stair cores.
Challenges & Solutions
The project required managing complex collaboration with multiple internal and external stakeholders. We facilitated regular Teams calls, shared documentation via a central portal, and stayed engaged until all parties reached agreement on fire strategy content. Clear prioritisation between the three internal council teams was set from the outset, and our local surveyor’s area knowledge ensured quick site access and efficient scheduling.
Added Value
Our ability to mobilise quickly and deliver accurate, high-quality fire strategies ensured smooth project progression. We developed strong relationships with multiple council teams, which has already led to Firntec being awarded further work. Firntecs surveyor’s innovative use of site visit video recordings reduced the need for repeat attendance, improving efficiency of the job and minimising disruption.
The project improved resident safety by delivering compliant fire strategies for occupied buildings. It also supported the council in progressing safety-critical projects within budget and timelines. Additionally, our work with the Lift Team ensured better access for residents and emergency services.
Results
The project achieved full compliance for all Gateway 2 submissions, with fire strategies completed to a high standard and within agreed timescales. Rapid mobilisation allowed the council to progress key safety projects without delay, and collaboration efficiencies reduced overall project time and costs. Positive client feedback and strengthened relationships have already resulted in additional work, confirming our position as a trusted compliance partner for future stages of the programme.
Lessons Learnt
We reinforced the value of early stakeholder alignment, local expertise, and flexible delivery in multi-team projects. Strong communication channels proved critical to overcoming the complexity of working with several internal teams and external consultancies. The success of this project has set a clear benchmark for future high-rise safety strategy work.
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