School toilet block refurbishment
Remodel and refurbishment of a toilet block for Boswell's secondary school in Essex.
Project Overview
Summary:
Following successful works the previous year, we were invited back by the main contractor to deliver a full toilet-block refurbishment within the six-week holiday window. The brief required a complete strip-out and rebuild with an open, visible hand-wash area to support supervision and safeguarding, alongside robust, low-maintenance finishes suited to heavy student use.
Objectives & constraints
The priority was to produce a durable, hygienic and easy-to-monitor facility before the new term, with zero slippage. Constraints included a hard deadline (term start), active campus considerations for deliveries and waste, and coordination with other summer projects. The solution needed to improve cleaning efficiency, reduce maintenance, and stand up to high daily footfall.
Pre-construction & coordination
We worked with the main contractor, site management and caretaking team to lock materials, lead times and access routes well ahead of mobilisation. Early design checks focused on the open hand-wash zone, service routes, and hygienic cladding details. RAMS, permits and delivery schedules were agreed pre-start to enable day-one productivity and avoid clashes with other trades on campus.
Scope of works
We carried out a full strip-out of the existing facilities before rebuilding to a modern, hygienic specification.
Demolition & enabling
Safe isolation of water/electric; complete removal of sanitaryware, cubicles, ceilings, floor finishes, wall linings and redundant services; protection to adjacent areas; waste segregation and compliant disposal.
Partitions & substrates
New metal stud partitions and ply-boarded substrates to receive hygienic finishes; framing to form an open, sight-line friendly wash area; fixing grounds for accessories and IPS/cubicle interfaces where required.
Mechanical & electrical first fix
New hot/cold feeds and wastes; rationalised pipe runs for future access; new electrical containment, lighting points and small power; hand dryers and accessories locations coordinated for traffic flow; second-fix fixtures, isolation points and final testing/commissioning.
Hygienic linings & ceilings
Whiterock hygienic wall cladding to walls and ceilings with sealed joints and trims for a wipe-clean finish; robust corner protection to high-impact areas; vapour-resistant build-up in wet zones.
Joinery & doors
Supply and install fire-rated doors to specified locations with compliant ironmongery and signage; robust cubicles and privacy panels aligned to the open wash concept; secure fixings and anti-tamper details.
Flooring & finishes
Cap-and-cove vinyl safety flooring with hot-welded seams; correct falls to floor wastes where required; decorators’ finishes to exposed frames, trims and door sets for a uniform appearance.
Testing & handover
Electrical tests, water checks, functional testing of all fixtures, snag resolution and a handover pack with cleaning/maintenance guidance for the premises team.
Outcome
The refurbished block was delivered on time and to budget, ready for the new term. The open, visible hand-wash area improves passive supervision and flow at peak times, while Whiterock linings and safety vinyl reduce cleaning cycles and whole-life maintenance. New plumbing and electrical installations improve reliability and energy efficiency, and the upgraded doors and ironmongery enhance durability under heavy daily use. The school now has a robust, compliant facility that balances hygiene, longevity and ease of upkeep.
