Client: TCB Grounds Maintenance Ltd

Location: Tameside

Project: Mental Health Services Department Renovation

Background and Context

Project Scope:

TCB Grounds Maintenance was commissioned by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust to provide and install an acoustic timber fence, as well as to repave the fire escape areas for the Mental Health Services department located on Fountain Street.

What Industry is it?

The NHS allocates an average of £10.2 billion annually to maintain its estate, which includes essential upkeep and improvements to physical perimeter fencing. This investment supports security, safety, and noise reduction needs across NHS facilities.

Key stakeholders:

Funded directly by NHS Tameside, this project aimed to enhance the well-being of patients in recovery. Compliance with BS EN 1793 standards for noise-reducing devices added value for stakeholders and, most importantly, benefitted the patients.

Objectives

Project Benchmarks:

Project progress was closely monitored through specific installation milestones, including strict adherence to onsite and off-site schedules. This apExproach ensured minimal disruption, allowing patients in the adjacent wing to have adequate rest throughout the project.

Time Frame: 

All project work, encompassing the installation of fencing and the enhancement of fire exit routes, needed to be finalised by October 31st. The schedule allocated only one day for the assembly of the fencing, followed by three days dedicated to paving and landscaping the fire exit route to ensure timely completion.

Limitations: 

TCB Grounds Maintenance sought an acoustic fence supplier capable of delivering within two weeks of order placement. After exploring various options, they selected First Fence for its competitive lead times, offering a twoweek delivery for all acoustic EchoGroove panels. In contrast, the nearest competitor had a minimum lead time of four weeks for a similar system.

Key Challenges:

The delivery of all materials, including fencing components, posts, and post mix, had to be conducted by lifting them over the existing fencing as all workers were locked in. This was necessary to ensure that the physical perimeter fence remained in place, prioritising the wellbeing of all patients.

Approach and Strategy

How did we approach this: 

TCB Grounds Maintenance initially worked with Reece Beckett, a sales advisor from First Fence. "Reece was exceptionally helpful in helping us achieve our two-week lead time, which was non-negotiable for this project due to the set date for the fire exit route," explains Alex Young, owner of TCB Grounds Maintenance. First Fence prioritised ensuring that the delivery could be fulfilled within the two week timeframe as required

Any bespoke requirements?

Unlike most projects that have easily accessible laydown areas for plant and machinery, this site required materials to be transported from a distance on foot. Therefore, it was crucial for First Fence to assist in moving and carrying all materials for the two-man installation team.

Who was responsible?

Alex Young, the owner of TCB Grounds Maintenance, was ultimately responsible for overseeing the specification, supply, and approval of the NHS fire escape improvement program.

Solution

What did we supply?

First Fence supplied their EchoGroove timber acoustic panel system in loose kit form, adhering to the following standards: 

• BS 8417 Timber Treatment
• BS EN 1793 Road Traffic Noise Reducing Devices
• Complies with BS EN 1794-1 and BS EN 1794-2
• Designed in accordance with Highways Works Clause 2504

Expectations:

Alex Young of TCB Grounds Maintenance remarked, "We were amazed by the quality of the timber infill slats on this system; the quality was far superior to the existing acoustic fencing system on site."

Lessons Learnt?

While having more time to plan and execute this type of project would have been ideal, there were no major lessons learned—other than perhaps aiming for better site access next time

Client satisfaction:

"I wouldn’t hesitate to use First Fence again due to their quick lead times and quality product," says Alex Young. "Given the critical timeframes and access challenges of this project, they were the ideal supplier—10/10."