The trouble lay with the vertical aluminium sliding sash windows. The spiral balances had started to fail, causing the sashes to drop unexpectedly with a potentially perilous guillotine effect, putting staff and students in danger.
After investigating alternative solutions, MILA was approached by Pembrokeshire College to submit a tender. After a visit to the site, MILA put forward a list of recommendations that proposed an alternative approach to the problem. The defective sashes to some 583 windows would be refurbished, instead of replaced. This would include the renewal of spiral balances, fitch catches, gaskets and the application of a device to limit opening.
On top of the planned renovation, MILA were asked to carry out repairs to a leaking atrium roof and to convert a series of manual winding gears to electric openers. Working in conjunction with a specialist scaffolding company these jobs were also carried out during the college holidays.
The total cost of carrying out this remarkable restoration? An equally remarkable £78,600, providing the College with a cost effective solution to their problem.
MILA calculated that the whole job could be completed during college holidays, a much shorter time-scale than other options, virtually eliminating any disruption to staff and students. Not surprisingly, Pembrokeshire College were delighted to ask MILA to carry out the work, following a successful tender.
