Projects
ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL:
MULTI STOREY BLOCKS FRAMEWORK
Skyform were appointed to provide Fabric Repairs to the external façades of nine multi-storey blocks in Aberdeen:
Work included:
Specialist Access
Plant Room Doors
Render/Roughcast Repairs
Overcoating
Comprehensive Sealant Works
Skyform have established a strong working relationship with Aberdeen City Council which resulted in the award of the High-Rise Multi-Story Framework. In September 2022, Skyform entered into the second year of the framework after successfully completing work at various multi-storey high-rise buildings throughout the city in 2021.
In the first year of the Framework, we completed work at various locations with the following scope:
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Elevation Survey
Pest Control Spikes
Drainage Surveys
Helical crack stitch and render repairs
Drainage repairs
Painting of boundary fence
Plant room Render repairs and masonry paint finish
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Defects to façade.
Coatings condition
Condition of sealants at windows, panel joints and expansion joints.
Hammer testing of concrete elements.
Production of survey CAD drawings.
Borescope Inspection of balcony parapets
Roof defects
CCTV of internal drainage stacks and drainage runs
Condition of plant room roof, and façade
Concrete testing works
Skyform Specialist Contracts Ltd and Fairhurst LLP have enjoyed a productive and collaborative working relationship for many years in the role of Principal Contractor, Contract Administrator, Project Manager, Lead Designer and Principal Designer, working on behalf of our shared local authority client.
Most recently, we have been working together on the Aberdeen City Council multi storey housing inspection and repairs framework in various locations throughout the city. As part of the Fairhurst term consultancy appointment we are often paired with Skyform in their role as a specialist contractor working to an agreed schedule of works The inspection and repair framework is a complex, multi-discipline, specialist contract with large challenges for any assigned Principal Contractor, with a primary consideration relating to the use of specialist access equipment and trained operatives working at height as well as access constraints of the domestic high rise buildings. The challenges of the project are numerous and complex, but Fairhurst are satisfied that Skyform Specialist’s are capable of delivering quality workmanship in accordance with a detailed specification to an agreed timeline all within the constraints set by local authority expectations.
As we enter into year two of this contractors inspection and repair framework, we look forward to the continuation and further development of our working relationship. We constantly strive to develop processes and systems in our own professional environment and hope that Skyform will continue to be a trusted partner for many years to come.
-Fairhurst LLP, November 2022
In the second year of the Framework, Skyform commenced work on five residential blocks in the Hayton Area of the city and four residential blocks in Hazlehead. They are:
Kings Court, St Machar Court, Elphinstone Court, Granholme Court and Donside Court
Bruce House, Rose House, Wallace House and Davidson House
As part of the Framework Agreement, Skyform committed to the delivery of Community Benefits which will be phased over the 5-year period. This included employment opportunities being made available through Aberdeen Council’s ‘Kick Start’ scheme, which was introduced to help young people back to work.
Skyform also made contact with Grampian Prison to offer employment positions as part of the Employability Release Scheme and created subcontracting opportunities to local firms.
Skyform is also developing training plans to increase the skills of the workforce in the form of online safety training modules. In 2022, twenty site based operatives will be completing training in Asbestos Awareness, Abrasive Wheels, COSHH Awareness, Electrical Awareness, Fire Marshall, Manual Handling, Vibration Awareness, Working at height and Slips, Trips and Falls.
Skyform recently joined Aberdeen City Council’s Responsible Business Partner scheme where it is hoped to make further connections in the local area and create future opportunities for Skyform to give back to the local area.
ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL:
VOID PROPERTIES, PAINTING & DECORATION
In 2022 Skyform Specialist won a contract for the full decoration of a large number of void properties in Aberdeen City Council’s stock. The main requirement of the work is painting, with our focus on the following elements:
Stripping existing decoration.
Treating stains with block sealer.
Lining paper to walls/ceilings.
Painting plasterboard and textured coatings.
Applying sealer coat to plaster.
Painting woodwork & glossing.
the condition of the voids varies greatly, so we completed an extensively survey each address. Following the survey we liaised with the council to ensure the painting specification is closely followed in non-standard properties, but also to help arrange further works such as plastering requirements, repairs to woodwork/ironmongery, leaking pipes, damaged windows etc.
Since the properties are scattered throughout the city we managed the logistics to ensure the work was completed to an efficient schedule, and where necessary we aprioritised properties that the council require at shorter notice.
Owing to the ongoing success of the works, we have now setup a new entity “Skyform Decorating” to expand our involvement in this market.
DRUMCHAPEL TABLE TENNIS CLUB:
REFURBISHMENT
Skyform have enjoyed a close affiliation with the Drumchapel Sports Centre, a registered charity, for more than 20 years. We have played an important role in maintaining both internal and external areas of the facility, and even assisting with transport with our 10-seater minibus. In recognition of our assistance over the years, the facility has been re-named the “Skyform Halls”.
Skyform met the cost of the refurbishment of the Community Centre which consisted of the following works:
Installation of Large Viewing Window between hall and canteen
Installation of smaller windows x 18
Installation of External Wall Insulation to building façade
Installation of new door and platform system
Installation of new electric roller shutter security doors
DRUMCHAPEL TABLE TENNIS CLUB:
LIQUID PLASTICS WATERPROOFING
Our latest works at the facility comprised a refurbishment to the 237m² flat roof above the front entrance. We were able to provide a particuarly robust solution owing to our valued status as a Sika-approved installer. We also ensured our proposal complied with an energy efficient assesment from Zero Waste Scotland. The works comprised of the following:
Stripping-off and disposing existing build up.
Cleaning and applying bio wash.
Making good timbers and installing Decotrim water checks.
Applying primer and laying S/Vap 5000 E SA.
Applying 130mm insulation to existing roof falls.
Application of Sikalastics 625 with top coat finish, including reemat premium renforcement and detail areas.
Following succesful completion of the works, to both the client’s and Sika’s satisfaction, Skyform have now been invited to tender for similar works to the same facility’s larger pitched roof, again in conjuction with Sika.
ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL:
FROGHALL FABRIC REPAIR
Fabric Repairs and Thermal Improvements at Froghall in Aberdeen included:
Scaffolding Erection
External Wall Insulation
Thermal Improvement
Site Clean-up on Completion
Structural & Fabric Repair
New Gutters & Downpipes
ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL:
HAYTON FABRIC REPAIRS
External repairs were completed on Elphinstone Court, St Machar Court and King’s Courts. The work included:
Provision of Skyform cradle access
Safe removal of existing balcony screens
Sika Liquid Plastics Waterproofing membrane to balconies
Concrete repairs to external facades of all buildings
Removal and replacement of all window sealants
Removal & reinstatement of all failed precast panel sealants
Application of clear & pigmented anti-carbonation coatings
Skyform were invited to negotiate the repair of a Further 10 storey block at Smithfield Court. It was added to the Hayton contract as a variation.
NHS: VICTORIA HOSPITAL, KIRKCALDY
Skyform were appointed by the NHS to carry out a variety of works to their prominent tower block building at NHS Victoria in Kirkcaldy. This followed similar works we had completed to another area of this same building in 2019. The project comprised the following elements:
Conducting an external survey.
Powerwashing 320 window ledges.
Installing 2 rows of anti-bird spikes to ledges (115mm cover with UV protected clear polycarbonate).
Applying sealant to 750m of windows in stairwell.
662m² of concrete repairs to the laundry room.
1500m² painter works to a concrete beam.
This project showcased Skyform’s versaility as a multi-trade specialist, and highlighted our adapatability when working at height. For the sealant works, we were able to draw upon the expertise and equipment of our own Skyform Access division to bring in our own in-house cradle system. Meanwhile to install the bird spikes we had no problem adjusting to the hospital’s existing cradle system, which the client proposed we use to help simplify works.
Skyform’s status as a Sika-approved installer was also put to good use in the laundry room, as we carried out essential repair works to the concrete. A before-and-after comparison of one such repair can be seen below.
ENERGY EFFICIENT MEASURES
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Project: East Ayrshire Render Coated External Wall Insulation
Client: Scottish Southern Energy
Value: £2,400,000
Project Reference Number C14 – 005
Award Date: October 2014
Completion Date: Currently in Progress
Relevance: EWI Experience in a Registered Social Landlord environmentThe project brief comprises of the installation of an insulated external render system to 248 No, 2 storey timber clad ‘Weir’ type houses spread over 4 distinct locations in East Ayrshire.
The address list comprises of a mixture of both tenanted and privately owned properties. The contract involves the replacement of existing gutters, downpipes and soil vent pipes, the replacement of external lighting, installation of new PVC fascia boards, installation of an insulated render system and all associated enabling works.
The main challenge on this project is one of a logistical nature – ensuring that the required materials are available for installation at the individual properties as and when required, whilst maintaining a safe and tidy environment for members of the general public. All properties are occupied for the duration of the works and storage space is limited by the very nature of the location.
It is a requirement of the contract that the works are to be carried-out in accordance with PAS 2030 and, as a consequence, Skyform, will ensure that subcontractors will undertake additional training (where needed) to achieve PAS 2030 accreditation. The works on-site will be also subject to weekly inspection, by the render manufacturer, to ensure compliance with the terms of Skyform’s approved installation license for the insulated render system.
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Project: East Ayrshire Render Coated External Wall Insulation
Client: Scottish Southern Energy
Value: £1,200,000
Project Reference Number C14 – 005
Award Date: June 2014
Completion Date: September 2014
Relevance: EWI Experience in a Registered Social Landlord environmentThe project brief comprised of the installation of an insulated external render system to 116 No, 2 storey timber clad ‘Weir’ type houses spread over 4 distinct locations in East Ayrshire – Dalrymple, Muirkirk, Cumnock & Logan and the project duration was 12 weeks.
The address list comprised of a mixture of both tenanted and privately owned properties. The contract involved the replacement of existing gutters, downpipes and soil vent pipes, the replacement of external lighting, installation of new PVC fascia boards, installation of an insulated render system and all associated enabling works.
The main challenge on this project was one of a logistical nature – ensuring that the required materials were available for installation at the individual properties as and when required, whilst maintaining a safe and tidy environment for members of the general public. All properties were occupied for the duration of the works and storage space was limited by the very nature of the location. The successful completion of the project was achieved by stockpiling materials at 2 central locations and delivering same to individual properties ‘just-in-time’ to ensure that the requirement to store materials at the works location was kept to a minimum, thus minimising the impact on the property occupants normal routine.
It was a requirement of the contract that the works were be to carried-out in accordance with PAS 2030 and, as a consequence, Skyform, in addition to our render sub-contractor, undertook additional training to achieve PAS 2030 accreditation. The works on-site were also subject to weekly inspection, by the render manufacturer, to ensure compliance with the terms of Skyform’s approved installation license for the insulated render system. Skyform have been complimented by both our Client (SSE) and the end user (East Ayrshire Council) on the quality of all the works carried out.
