London – Steel Hoarding Installation with Fence-Lok System

SafeSite Facilities was approached by a museum in London to provide a secure compound for their ongoing garden redevelopment project. The museum required a temporary solution to house materials and machinery safely during the several-month-long development period. The garden area was open and exposed to the elements, meaning that any installed fencing needed to meet specific wind load requirements and provide visual screening to prevent materials from spilling out.

Given the prestigious nature of the museum and the importance of maintaining its aesthetic appeal, the client required a fencing solution that not only secured the site but also blended seamlessly with the surroundings while ensuring minimal disruption.

Challenges:

• Wind Load Requirements: The open location of the garden posed significant challenges in terms of wind load calculations. The temporary fencing needed to be stable enough to withstand high winds in this exposed area.
• Visual Screening: The client required a solution that would block visibility into the compound to maintain privacy and security for the materials stored in the gardens.
• Material Control: To prevent materials from flowing out under the panels, the fence needed to be secured at the base, ensuring that it was both secure and practical for the storage of construction materials.

 

Solution:

SafeSite Facilities’ team conducted a thorough site survey to understand the challenges posed by the location. Following this, we recommended a 2m high in-ground steel hoarding system using Fence-Lok system for stabilisation. This system was ideal for ensuring the fencing would remain secure and stable, even under high winds. To further ensure stability, we incorporated fence brackets with stabilisers and 500mm ground screws, which helped anchor the system and provided a robust, long-term solution.

We also worked with our client to develop a site-specific temporary works design, taking into account the wind load calculations and other structural requirements. This ensured that the steel hoarding met all necessary safety standards and would remain in place throughout the course of the project.

Additional Features:

To meet the client’s requirement for visual screening, we added a layer of timber skirts to the base of the panels. These timber skirts not only blocked visibility into the compound but also prevented materials from flowing out from underneath the hoarding, maintaining both security and tidiness on the site.

Execution:

Once the design and materials were approved, SafeSite Facilities mobilised a team to carry out the installation. The steel hoarding system was installed with the Fence-Lok stabilisation system, ensuring that each panel was securely fastened to withstand potential high winds. The timber skirts were then fixed to the base of the panels, providing a clean and secure finish that satisfied both functional and aesthetic requirements.

Despite the challenges posed by the open nature of the site, the installation proceeded smoothly. Our team worked efficiently and professionally to meet the tight deadlines, ensuring that the secure compound was ready for use on schedule.

Results:

• Secure Compound: The steel hoarding system effectively secured the garden redevelopment site, keeping materials and machinery safely contained.
• Wind-Resistant: The temporary hoarding system met the required wind load calculations, ensuring stability in the open, exposed location.
• Visual Privacy: The timber skirts at the base of the panels provided privacy and prevented materials from spilling out.
• Timely Completion: The project was completed on time, ensuring that the museum’s redevelopment could proceed without delays.

Client Feedback:

The client was extremely pleased with the solution provided by SafeSite Facilities. They appreciated the professional approach to the project, particularly the attention to detail in ensuring the hoarding met the wind load requirements. The addition of timber skirts helped to maintain a neat and secure site throughout the redevelopment process.

Conclusion:

This project highlights SafeSite Facilities’ ability to provide tailored solutions for high-profile sites. By combining practical engineering with aesthetic considerations, we delivered a secure, wind-resistant hoarding system that met both safety and visual requirements.

SafeSite Facilities remains committed to offering flexible, reliable site security solutions that cater to the unique needs of each project, whether in a public space like a museum or elsewhere.