Payte Architects London has secured Building Safety Regulator (BSR) approval for fire-safety works to a luxury apartment at Cinnabar Wharf on the Wapping waterfront, allowing the owner to move ahead with a sale that had been on hold.
The challenge
The client came to us unable to sell their flat because it was not fire compliant. As the apartment sits within a higher-risk building, even relatively contained works that affect the building’s fire strategy must be approved by the BSR before they can go ahead. Understandably, the client had reservations about applying, concerned the application might not be approved.
Our approach
Teddy Laurence acted as Principal Designer on the project. Our measured survey of the flat shaped the strategy from the outset, leading Teddy to bring a structural engineer and a fire consultant onto the team. Working alongside them, we compiled the necessary documentation, then prepared and submitted the BSR application, coordinating the architectural and compliance information throughout.
The application was considered in consultation with the London Fire Brigade, which raised no specific observations before approval was issued.
The outcome
The approved scheme reinstates a fire-compartment partition and a fire-rated door, and allows smoke seals to be fitted to the fire-rated doors serving the bedroom store and plant room. The result is a safer home and an improved property value. Most importantly for our client, the flat is now compliant and can be sold.
Why this matters
Projects like this are becoming more common as compliance requirements across the industry tighten. If you own a flat in a higher-risk building and are planning works, or a sale is being held up by fire-safety compliance, early specialist advice can turn an uncertain application into a clear approval.
Planning works in a higher-risk building? Book a free 30-minute consultation with our team.
