Client
WaitroseLocation
SolihullContractor
Midas RetailFinal Contract Value
£65,000Completion Date
September 2016Project Brief
Retail heavyweights Waitrose have recently opened a store in Solihull which will create over 100 new jobs for the local community.
As part of the new store build, Essential Projects was contracted to complete the bespoke architectural balustrade and handrails that would accompany stairs leading from the customer car park to the front entrance of the store, whilst also securing the stores perimeter walkways.
Essential Projects ensured that all bespoke metalwork manufactured and installed complied with local building regulations and DDA compliance.
The essential solution
Our brief was to provide a safe walkway that complied with DDA compliance. External stainless steel handrails were installed to the stairs and ramp leading into the stores main entrance.
Essential Projects also manufactured and install 304 grade stainless steel marley wrapped handrails to the two six flight staircases leading from the stores ground floor to the car park.
To secure the store perimeter walkways, over 100m of external steel balustrade was installed, which was needed to be manufactured with a curvature finish so as to run around the shape of the building. To provide an aesthetically pleasing finish, 316 grade stainless steel was used which is also more combatant of inclement weather conditions.
In keeping with DDA compliance segmented glass panels had to be installed to parts of the perimeter walkway to provide safe access to the store for disabled users.
A galvanised bin store was also installed as a safe receptacle for packages to minimise and fire risk.
All metalwork supplied was galvanised primed to prevent corrosion and powder coated RAL 7016 grey to stay in keeping with other street furniture and surrounding architecture.