Condition surveys
Working with the College maintenance team, in 2022, we carried out a condition survey of the stonework across the whole of New College. Discussing and agreeing repairs with skilled in-house staff to develop repair solutions could be carried out within college resources.
The condition survey was carried out from Easter to Summer. Urgent repairs were identified and a strategy for repairs was identified for each of the quads to help inform the College maintenance plan.
Roof surveys
A traditionally constructed roof should last well over a hundred years, however, a poorly specified roof will fail much sooner.
Carrying out a roof survey allows the correct specification of the slates, important detailing and amount of replacement required to be assessed prior to start work. In stone slate roofing there is often bespoke detailing that has been traditionally used to overcome unusual junctions that should be recorded whilst the roof is being stripped. A survey should identify what details should be recorded so that traditional detailing is not lost and recorded for future.
The condition of a roof is the combination of a number of factors, including the condition of the slates or tiles, their gauging, head and shoulder lap as well as the structure they are supported on and how well the roof is ventilated below it.
Fire doors
Developing a sustainable strategy for heritage and fire protection involves a combination of understanding the existing construction as well as making an assessment of the inherent fire protection of the existing historic doors.
Upgrades are reliant of proving compliance through the use of third party approved accredited products is key to confirming the fire resistance of the solutions provided.
A change in use of historic houses is often the most challenging aspect of conservation where upgrading historic building fabric is to be upgraded to meet fire performance standards.
james mackintosh architects limited
First Floor, 21 The High Street,
Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
OX7 5AD
01608 692 310