COMMERCIAL SECURITY & SAFETY
Safety & security at residential tower block in Flint ‘ transformed ’ by three SBD member companies
Three landmark tower blocks in the historic town of Flint in North Wales have undergone a major upgrade programme to improve the security of their external , communal doors and door entry systems , which has been carried out by three Secured by Design ( SBD ) member companies .
» THE HIGH-RISE DEVELOPMENTS – Richard Heights , Bolingbroke Heights and Castle Heights – sit ‘ cheek by jowl ’ around Flint ’ s main shopping area .
They were all built in the late 1960s to replace sub-standard terraced housing – an era that was known for ‘ slum clearance ’ and massive local authority house building programmes , which for the first time featured high rise living .
F . Bamford ( Engineering ) Ltd , known in the industry as Bamford Doors , joined forces with key partner organisations CAME KMS and CAME Entrotec to manufacture and install bespoke communal door security systems . Work started on the project in December 2018 .
Bamford Doors provided its aluminium security doorsets , CAME KMS its webbased communal door access control system and CAME Entrotec its door entry panel ( intercom ) and apartment units – all products to SBD ’ s robust physical security standards .
The three tower blocks , which provide a total of 270 flats , mostly for the over 55s , had been subject to low-level antisocial behaviour over a period of time , and their external security needed to be upgraded . In addition , the project embraced a number of nearby , low rise buildings – Woodside Community Centre , Prince of Wales Court , Holly Court and Strand Close .
Bamford Doors worked closely with Flintshire County Council throughout the project .
Alexis Smith , Managing Director , Bamford Doors , said : “ The transformation we have made to the blocks in Flint is amazing . We hope the customers of Flintshire County Council feel more safe and secure in their homes .”
SBD Development Officer , Hazel Goss , who lives only 15 minutes ’ drive from the town , said the transformation is most apparent . “ When I was a police officer covering this area the tower blocks looked depressing and attracted crime , but the makeover has brightened them up . Now they offer top-end security and they are attractive to look at .”
The Flint Strategy and Masterplan 2021 states : “ Whilst externally dated , the tower blocks are relatively popular and do not present any real challenges to the Council .” The report adds : “ Potential exists in the longer term to consider whether one of the three tower blocks could play a role in meeting specialist residential needs .”
Over recent years , the tower blocks have received part of a £ 100m makeover fund as part of Flintshire County Council ’ s plans to improve council housing and regenerate the town . This project included concrete repairs , window replacement and external wall and roof insulation to improve energy efficiency .
www . securedbydesign . com www . bamforddoors . com
CAME Entrotec Entrotec are trusted pioneers and leading manufacturers of door entry solutions in UK residential and commercial markets . They are renowned for manufacturing and supplying high quality audio and video vandal resistant door entry , concierge systems and proximity access control systems . Established in 1987 Entrotec have significant experience designing and bringing to market innovative systems tailored to client specific requirements to ensure the security of their property , their people and their communities .
www . entrotec . com
CAME KMS CAME KMS are the UK ’ s leading supplier of residential access control products and services , predominantly supplying the social housing sector ( local authorities and housing associations ) and private landlords . The SimpleKey Web system is a unique and innovative access control solution for all multi-user residences with instant fob administration from any web-enabled device .
www . kms . uk . net
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MAR / APR 2022
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