Blackburn & Co Ltd

Swedish Embassy Safety Access Installation

Project Overview

Blackburn & Co. Ltd was appointed by a new client, Tamerisk, to survey, design, and install a high-level safety access solution at the Swedish Embassy in Mayfair. The project involved providing safe and compliant roof access for ongoing building maintenance within a constrained and sensitive environment.

The embassy’s central light well location, combined with the building’s prominence, presented significant access and logistical challenges that required a carefully planned and bespoke approach.

Scope of Works

Our scope comprised the full delivery of a custom safety access solution, including:

Site survey of a restricted internal light well
Design and installation of a 14-metre-high safety access ladder
Provision of safe access for future roof maintenance

The ladder was required as there was previously no safe means of accessing the roof, making routine maintenance difficult and potentially unsafe.

Design & Fabrication

Due to the restricted access within the centre of the building, the initial survey phase required careful planning and detailed measurement to ensure the ladder could be installed accurately and compliantly.

The ladder was designed to suit the specific constraints of the light well and manufactured to provide durability and long-term performance. It was finished with hot-dip galvanising to offer robust corrosion protection in an exposed environment.

Installation & Outcome

Installation proved particularly challenging due to the confined space and the height of the ladder. To overcome this, a bespoke access tower was designed and constructed specifically for the project. The tower was tailored to fit within the light well while allowing installation works to proceed safely and efficiently.

Crucially, the tower incorporated removable sections to avoid obstructing the ladder installation, along with an additional platform to provide safe working access. The installation was completed in carefully managed stages to maintain safety throughout the process.

The completed access ladder now provides a safe, reliable route to the roof for maintenance activities, meeting both client and regulatory requirements. The client was extremely pleased with the solution and the professionalism shown throughout the project.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates Blackburn & Co. Ltd’s ability to deliver complex, bespoke safety access solutions within highly constrained and sensitive environments. Through careful planning, innovative temporary works, and high-quality fabrication, we successfully delivered a practical and durable outcome for a prestigious Mayfair location.