Construction of £100m Blackpool government office underway

As reported by Sherwin-Williams, the company’s fire protection coatings are being used in the construction of a new £100m government office building in Blackpool.

The seven-storey, 215,000-square-foot building, located on King Street, will house over 3,000 civil servants and is part of the £350m Talbot Gateway regeneration project.

Vinci Building is the main contractor responsible for this development, which aims to boost footfall and job opportunities in Blackpool town centre.

Sherwin-Williams has provided passive fire protection solutions for the building’s prefabricated steel frame.

These coatings are designed to expand when exposed to fire, creating an insulating barrier that delays the time it takes for steel to lose its load-bearing capacity.

The steel frame was fabricated by Leach Structural Steelwork, which applied Sherwin-Williams’ FIRETEX FX6002 coating to external steel, while JM Passive Fire Protection is applying FIRETEX FX1003 and FX6010 to the internal framework.

Fire protection solutions tailored for Blackpool’s environmental challenges

The coatings provided by Sherwin-Williams have been specifically chosen for Blackpool’s coastal environment, known for high humidity, salt exposure, and condensation.

FIRETEX FX6002, used for external steel, is formulated to withstand these harsh conditions and offers rapid drying times, making it ideal for off-site application.

It is also designed for environments in the C5 category, which encompasses the most severe atmospheric exposures.

The quick drying time helped meet project deadlines, as noted by Leach Structural Steelwork’s production manager, Jonathan Leach: “The fast curing of FIRETEX FX6002 enabled rapid throughput at our production facility.”

Internally, the steel is being coated with Sherwin-Williams’ FIRETEX FX1003 and FX6010, both of which offer the required 90-minute fire rating.

After curing, a topcoat of Acrolon 7300, another Sherwin-Williams product, will be applied to provide additional resistance to atmospheric conditions.

Sherwin-Williams’ technical expertise contributes to project success

Sherwin-Williams’ Fire Engineering and Estimating Team (FEET) played a crucial role in determining the fire protection requirements for the Blackpool project.

After analysing the design, FEET recommended solutions that met the building’s needs, ensuring compliance with the 90-minute fire resistance standard.

The team’s technical expertise was essential in securing the project and guiding the application of coatings across the structure.

Nathan Mangnall, Sherwin-Williams’ business development manager, noted the collaborative effort required for this project: “We’re delighted to have been able to supply our coatings for use in this state-of-the-art building.

“This project was won by demonstrating our technical expertise to Vinci Build, Leach Structural Steelwork, and JM Passive Fire Protection.”

Economic benefits anticipated from the new Blackpool office

Scheduled for completion in March 2025, the new government building is expected to have a positive economic impact on Blackpool.

With civil servants from the Department for Work and Pensions relocating to this new site, it is estimated that the development will generate an additional £8m annually for the local economy.

The project is part of a broader initiative to revitalise Blackpool’s town centre and improve employment opportunities in the region.

Sherwin-Williams coatings used in Blackpool government building construction: Summary

Sherwin-Williams is supplying fire protection coatings for a new government office building in Blackpool, scheduled for completion in March 2025.

The seven-storey, £100m building will house over 3,000 civil servants and is part of the Talbot Gateway regeneration project.

Sherwin-Williams’ coatings, including FIRETEX FX6002, FX1003, and FX6010, have been selected for their ability to withstand Blackpool’s challenging environmental conditions.

The coatings provide a 90-minute fire rating and are being applied to both external and internal steelwork.

The new office is expected to boost Blackpool’s economy by £8m annually.