🔍 Project Insight:
Navigating Complex Rooftop Works at Trafford Palazzo
Working on a live, high-profile retail destination like
Trafford Palazzo demands more than technical skill — it requires foresight,
precision planning, and a detailed “x-ray” assessment of all project-specific
risks before work ever begins. When operating hundreds of miles from our main
base, during winter, on a rooftop with strict load-bearing limitations, success
is won long before the first operative steps onto the site.
Understanding those constraints in full is not a box-ticking
exercise — it is the foundation of safe execution, consistent quality, and
reliable project delivery.
📍 Project Overview —
Enhancing Safety & Thermal Performance
Our latest package forms part of a wider upgrade programme
across Trafford Palazzo, the iconic leisure and retail hub at TraffordCity in
Manchester. Designed with sweeping Italian-style architecture and an impressive
internal atrium, the building’s scale and public footfall bring unique
operational realities.
Our scope includes:
• Installation of Two New AOV
Systems
Integrated into the existing East and West rooflight
structures, these systems will enhance fire safety performance and improve
ventilation efficiency.
• Installation of a Euro Panel
Cladding System
Applied to the lower rooflight sections, this upgrade aims
to significantly improve the Mall’s internal thermal environment and reduce
energy loss.
As works are scheduled through late autumn and winter, the
project naturally carries season-specific challenges — including weather
volatility, extended access times, and the requirement to operate safely in a
busy, live environment.
⚠️ Why a “Project X-Ray” Is
Essential for This Job
Given the complexity of the site conditions, a deep
pre-construction analysis was critical. Key considerations include:
• Ultra-Low Loadbearing
Restrictions
With a maximum of 61 kg/m² allowable load on the roof
structure, every piece of equipment, material, and operative movement must be
precisely planned and continuously monitored.
• Long Access Routes
Two work locations, each requiring a 5-minute walk to
the nearest exit and 15 minutes to the site compound, demand robust
logistics planning, equipment staging, and emergency readiness.
• Winter Operating Conditions
Reduced daylight hours, increased wind loads, cold
temperatures, and slippery surfaces emphasize the need for seasonal adaptations
in methodology, PPE, and work sequencing.
• Tight Health & Safety
Framework
Live mall environment = strict H&S controls, restricted
delivery windows, and the need for enhanced communication with mall management
and neighbouring contractors.
• Remote Project Location
With the project located 200+ miles from our headquarters,
the emphasis on pre-planning, resource allocation, and self-sufficiency becomes
even more critical.
🎯 Our Approach —
Precision, Planning, and Practicality
At On Facades, we rely on a methodology shaped by years of
experience on high-risk, logistically challenging sites. For Trafford Palazzo,
our strategy includes:
1. Detailed Load & Access
Planning
Every item is assessed, weighed, and sequenced to ensure
compliance with rooftop structural limits.
2. Seasonal Risk Mitigation
Weather monitoring, winter PPE, restricted elevated work
zones, and revised shift planning help reduce seasonal risk.
3. Self-Sufficient Site Setup
Given the distance from our main base, we prepare fully
equipped mobile setups to reduce reliance on external resources.
4. Clear Communication &
Stakeholder Coordination
Daily briefings, updated work plans, and aligned delivery
schedules keep operations safe and predictable.
5. Robust Emergency
Preparedness
Emergency egress plans, dedicated safe routes, and clear
communication protocols ensure readiness at all times.
🔑 Final Thoughts
Projects like Trafford Palazzo highlight why in-depth
project analysis isn’t optional — it’s mission-critical. By combining technical
expertise with strategic planning, we ensure that even the most challenging
environments can be navigated safely, efficiently, and with the high standard
of finish that our clients expect.
At On Facades, we believe that the best projects start long
before the tools arrive on site — they begin with the clarity, discipline, and
insight that only a thorough project “x-ray” can provide.
