Our Work

Updated Internal Wayfinding to Enhance Safety at Manchester Residential Towers

For

Manchester City Council

 

 

What is it

Upgraded internal wayfinding for six high-rise residential blocks, enhancing safety and accessibility.

Project Scope

Manchester City Council, along with local authorities across the country, embarked on a comprehensive review of all its residential high-rises in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017.

Our role involved upgrading the wayfinding systems in six tower blocks to ensure they met the highest safety standards for emergency navigation.

The Specifics

In the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 local authorities and other housing providers have been actively reviewing their housing stock to comply with new regulations and ensure higher safety standards.

These efforts aim to prevent another disaster like Grenfell and to ensure residents’ safety in high-rise buildings.

In the UK, specific building and fire safety requirements for high-rise buildings are primarily determined by building regulations. The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018, Fire Safety Act 2021 the Building Safety Act 2022 all served to tighten up the regulations around building design and safety, particularly in high rise buildings (typically defined as six storeys or more).

The Solution

Our task was to evaluate and revamp the existing wayfinding to meet the regulations. Our work had a particular focus on achieving clear navigation because it is absolutely crucial that emergency response workers can navigate a building effectively during an emergency like a fire.

This involved a detailed survey of the current signage and the strategic placement of new signs to guide not only tenant and visitors, but emergency services swiftly and safely through each building.

Mindful of the demographics of the tower blocks, which house many elderly and partially-sighted tenants, we designed and implemented a wayfinding system that included high-visibility signage and Braille for accessibility.

The new system included:

  • Enhanced directional signage at key decision points
  • Braille identifiers on all signage
  • Durable, fire resistant materials suited for high-traffic areas
  • Clearly marked exit routes and emergency instructions

Each element was designed to be visible under smoke-filled conditions, ensuring that residents and emergency personnel could navigate the buildings quickly and safely.

The Benefits

The updated wayfinding system has significantly improved emergency preparedness within Manchester City Council’s estate and ensures compliance with the latest building regulations.

The finished signage looks smart, will support quicker and more efficient emergency responses and also instils a greater sense of security among residents.

The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the clarity and accessibility of the new signage.

Paul Rigg Operational Services Manager