Siderise passive fire protection systems installed at Waterhouse Gardens in Manchester
Iain Hoey
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Fire barriers and cavity trays installed across five Manchester towers
Siderise has supplied a full suite of passive fire protection systems for Waterhouse Gardens, a five-tower residential development in Manchester, according to the company.
The site, developed by Salboy and built by Domis, is located at the former Boddingtons Brewery site in the city centre.
It includes 556 residential units and over 31,000 square feet of commercial space.
Siderise supplied cavity barriers, firestops, and drainage trays to meet a two-hour fire resistance requirement across all towers.
The company said its products were integrated at the design stage to address both fire safety and drainage needs in masonry and rainscreen façades.
Products specified for masonry and rainscreen façades
Siderise explained that EW-FS120 Firestop, EW-CB30 Cavity Barrier and CT Cavity Tray were used for the brickwork elevations.
The RH25 120 Cavity Barrier was specified for the rainscreen areas.
These components form a continuous protection system designed to manage fire spread and moisture ingress.
The EW Cavity Barriers include a Lamella insulation core which allows friction-fitting into wet brickwork cavities without affecting wall stability.
This design enables full penetration by masonry supports while preserving fire performance.
Siderise said this contributed to removing the need for concrete upstands and downstands, reducing build time and costs.
Technical engagement with project stakeholders
Siderise stated it worked with Domis from the early design phase, providing technical guidance on integrating its products into the project.
The company supported Domis in creating standardised construction details applicable across the development.
These resources were also intended to support design consistency in future projects.
This collaboration aimed to ensure compliance with fire safety objectives while maintaining construction efficiency.
On-site training and installation support
The Site Services team at Siderise carried out training for façade installers Kinlan Brickwork and LDG Contracts.
According to the company, this included product-specific information sessions, on-site detailing guidance, and inspections.
Site visits enabled real-time resolution of interface issues and helped maintain consistent installation quality.
In addition, Kinlan’s teams used the Siderise Inspection App to conduct self-assessments between site visits.
The firm said this supported quality control and reduced delays due to installation errors.
Project background and design overview
Waterhouse Gardens is a high-rise residential development in Manchester’s city centre.
The project includes five towers ranging between 10 and 26 storeys.
It features brick façades and rainscreen elements joined for visual cohesion.
The development is named after Alfred Waterhouse, the architect of Manchester Town Hall.
It includes residential units, retail space, and shared amenities designed by Salboy and delivered by Domis.
Passive fire protection systems installed at Waterhouse Gardens in Manchester: Summary
Siderise has provided passive fire protection products for Waterhouse Gardens in Manchester.
The development includes five towers ranging from 10 to 26 storeys.
The site was formerly the location of the Boddingtons Brewery.
Salboy is the developer and Domis is the main contractor.
Siderise supplied EW-FS120 Firestop, EW-CB30 Cavity Barrier, and CT Cavity Tray.
Siderise RH25 120 Cavity Barrier was installed in the rainscreen areas.
The products were chosen to meet a two-hour fire resistance requirement.
The EW Cavity Barriers include a Lamella core allowing masonry support penetration.
Siderise supported the project team during design and construction.
Training and installation checks were provided to Kinlan Brickwork and LDG Contracts.
A self-inspection app was also used to monitor installation progress.
Design decisions helped avoid concrete slab detailing, reducing costs.
The project includes 556 homes and over 31,000 sq.ft of commercial space.
The towers use brick façades with decorative rainscreen elements.
The project is located in Manchester, United Kingdom.