Refurbishing sheltered housing complexes - Case Study

Project:

Refurbishing sheltered housing complexes

Location:

Bridgend, South Wales

In Brief:

Valleys to Coast is a not-for-profit housing association based in South Wales. It’s mission is to create safe, happy homes and communities by providing affordable, well maintained housing.

The organisation appointed Easton Bevins to manage and oversee comprehensive refurbishment works across two of their sheltered housing complexes, Hafan Deg and Lakeview close, which provide assisted living accommodation for elderly and vulnerable residents.

Improved safety, reliability, and energy efficiency

The aim of the project was to enhance safety, reliability, and energy efficiency for these buildings in line with modern standards. Work included a series of critical infrastructure and compliance upgrades as follows:

• Fire Compartmentation

We oversaw important work to upgrade passive fire compartmentation for both complexes, including initial inspection, then sealing and reconstruction of compartment lines. The upgrade provides effective fire and smoke containment between the individual flats and communal spaces, and ensures compliance with current building and fire regulations.

• Fire Alarm Systems

The fire alarm systems in both the communal areas and individual flats were replaced with modern, addressable fire alarm systems with improved detection accuracy. This upgrade will help reduce false alarms, provide clear, site-wide coverage and enhance resident safety, as well as ensuring regulatory compliance.

• Assisted Living Telecare Systems

The existing telecare systems were upgraded to provide residents with modern, responsive, assisted-living technology that integrates seamlessly with contemporary care monitoring platforms. Work included the installation of emergency call systems linked to  remote monitoring for faster response times.

• Power to Communal Areas

The electrical infrastructure serving communal areas was completely rewired to ensure safe and efficient distribution of power. This included new cabling, distribution boards, and upgraded protection devices to meet current standards.

• Sustainable Energy Systems 

As part of a sustainable energy initiative, a battery storage and inverter system was installed enabling the capture and use of off-peak or renewable-generated energy, improving energy resilience and efficiency within the complexes.

The communal lighting systems were also upgraded to energy-efficient LED fixtures, providing improved lighting quality and reliability, supporting long-term energy savings, and reducing ongoing maintenance requirements.

Project Delivery & Outcome

Easton Bevins provided quantity surveying (also known as cost consultancy) services for all projects, coordinating all stages from initial specification through to final account.

Our team worked closely with the main contractor, specialist subcontractors, and Valleys to Coast’s housing and compliance teams to ensure the projects were delivered with minimal disruption to residents. Clear, consistent communication with all stakeholders, including regular updates, consultation sessions, and resident liaison, helped ensure a smooth process throughout.

The completed refurbishment delivered:

• Significantly improved fire safety and compliance
• Enhanced quality of life for residents via upgraded telecare systems
• Greater energy efficiency and sustainability
• Modernised infrastructure aligned with future-proof housing strategies

Our client expressed strong satisfaction with the delivery and outcome of the project, highlighting the attention to detail, clear communication, and commitment to quality throughout the contract.”

Our consultancy services and expertise cover the full construction lifecycle. To discuss your project, contact us on 0117 942 8776 or email info@eastonbevins.co.uk

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