ORS appointed to major Leeds redevelopment to meet stringent new building standards for tall residentialbuildings

Fairfax House, a development based in the Arena Quarter of inner-city Leeds is the latest building to undergo architectural spray painting under new government regulations. The 1960’s seven storey office block is currently being transformed into 154 studio and one-bedroom apartments, with an additional two-storey extension.

In December 2022, guidance was put in place for tighter regulations on external walls and balconies of residential buildings between 11m and 18m high. It is because of these new regulations that on site architectural spray-painting specialist ORS Limited has been appointed to apply KEIM Mineral Paints as the exterior paint on Fairfax House.

With vast experience in tall building projects, ORS Limited is one of only a handful of specialists with the capability of applying architectural spray paint to buildings of this height.

Jo Thornicroft, Sales Director at ORS Limited said: “The Fairfax House project utilises our vast architectural spray-painting experience. This application technique ensures that the KEIM Soldalit is applied evenly, and effectively. Imagine painting a seven-storey building! This method is far more time efficient, and therefore better for the building, and the client, to reduce application time and minimise disturbance.”

ORS Limited has completed over 400 site rollouts for customers including McDonalds, BMW, and Wren Kitchens, providing services such as retail shop front renovations, cladding and curtain walling. The business has developed a professional niche working at height and applying specialist paint.

KEIM Soldalit exterior paint was selected for the development as it meets the A2-s1,d0 fire resistance standard, designed for application to residential buildings.

Paul Milligan, Business Development Manager at KEIM UK said: “Fire resistance is a crucial part of tall building fabric, and paint is just one element that councils, housing associations and developers must consider as part of current regulations. Awareness is building and this is one reason why our unique KEIM Soldalit paint is in demand. More than just meeting fire resistance standards, it is made from natural mineral ingredients, breathable and non-toxic, low volatile organic compounds.”

Initial regulations were put in place in 2018 following the tragedy of Grenfell Tour which saw 72 people lose their lives. These regulations set out a ban on the use of combustible materials for external walls in residential buildings over 18m, including hospitals, care homes and student accommodation. In 2022 the Government issued an amendment to Approved Document B which introduced new guidance for external walls and balconies of residential buildings between 11m and 18m in height.

Work on Fairfax House started in winter 2022, and is due for completion mid 2024. The project utilises the combined skills of Leeds based buy to let property company YPP, Brewster Bye Architects and Colbre Projects the principle contractor.