Ark delivers fire door remedial works across NatWest’s national branch estate, covering locations ranging from small market towns to central London. The contract requires careful planning around banking operations, strict security controls and a sensitive approach to heritage and listed buildings.
Scope: Fire door inspection and remedial works across the UK branch estate.
Back-of-house works are completed during normal branch hours where they can be safely separated from customers. Work within banking halls and other customer-facing areas is scheduled for evenings or weekends, allowing branches to remain operational and maintaining a professional environment during opening hours.
LARGE PROJECTS COMPLETED PER MONTH
FIRST-TIME FIX RATE
BRANCHES SIGNED OFF ON TIME
Out-of-hours access is managed through NatWest’s security provider. Before attending, the team confirms access arrangements and, on arrival, contacts the security provider to obtain the required access code. All operatives assigned to the contract complete PES checks and a NatWest-specific induction covering access, security and conduct protocols. These controls protect the bank’s premises, information and assets while giving branch teams confidence in every attending operative.
Each visit is planned around the branch’s location and operational requirements. City-centre sites may require advance arrangements for parking, deliveries, unloading and traffic management, while smaller branches can present different access and storage constraints. Early review of these requirements helps teams arrive prepared and complete the work within the agreed period.
Many NatWest branches occupy listed or heritage buildings. Wherever suitable, existing doors are retained and upgraded in line with agreed fire safety and heritage requirements, preserving the building’s character and reducing the cost, waste and disruption associated with full replacement. Where replacement is required, Ark coordinates with NatWest, the manufacturer, conservation officers and the relevant planning or listed building authority.
At a branch in Dundee, this included developing and submitting detailed drawings for review and approval before manufacture and installation, giving all parties confidence that the proposed solution met both compliance and heritage requirements.
Close communication with Branch Managers is central to delivery. Advance notice is given of where and when work will take place, planned around important meetings or operational activities. Operatives understand that staff access takes priority over Ark’s works, and will pause and make the area safe whenever access is required, while maintaining high standards of security, housekeeping and protection to existing finishes. Working methods are also selected to minimise noise and dust, for example using combi drills in place of impact drivers where the task permits, alongside local dust extraction, floor protection and regular cleaning.
When it comes to Passive Fire Protection, you need a company that you can rely on. Ark Fire Protection is proud to be accredited by the leading industry bodies – ensuring that we always meet the highest standards of quality and safety, and that our customers can always expect a first-class service.
We’re also ISO 9001 certified, meaning that our quality management systems are regularly audited and approved. So when you choose Ark Fire Protection, you can be confident that you’re making the best possible decision for your property.
