Sentinel Contracting upgrades fire resistance at sustainable redevelopment

Innovative water-based fire protection supports BREEAM Outstanding target at City of London’s Newgate Square

Located in the heart of the city, with panoramic views over St Paul’s Cathedral and beyond, former BT headquarters, Newgate Square is one of the largest redevelopments to ever achieve planning in the City of London.

Set to become one of the most energy efficient buildings in the city, this impressive project consists of remodeling the existing structure and extending the building to 13 storeys. It will create a new mixed-use destination of exceptional offices, landscaped terraces and occupier wellness and well-being amenities, a retail arcade at street-level, alongside a rooftop terrace with a restaurant and wildflower meadow.

This redevelopment by Mace Group aims to set a benchmark for all future Net Zero buildings, by minimizing fossil fuel use and removing onsite combustion heating systems. Proof construction can be sustainable when the right decisions are made.

Pioneering innovation

Developing a sustainable building requires a holistic approach that minimizes the total environmental impact of the systems, materials and maintenance required to construct, operate and preserve the building over its design life. Even seemingly minor decisions can have major sustainability implications.

Leading the innovative use of environmentally friendly materials, we upgraded the fire resistance of concrete slabs whilst reducing the amount of carbon being produced.

As a preferred Sherwin Williams contractor, we used the Sherwin Williams Firetex Concrete WB-120, a water-based fire protection coating system for interior concrete structures. Independently fire tested and approved to European standard EN 13381-3: 2015, the Firetex product forms an insulation char which protects the reinforcement bars in the event of a fire.

Unlike other coating systems, Sherwin Williams features low or no volatile organic compound (VOC) content and are free of toxic and carcinogenic ingredients. Using innovative products like this allow buildings to reach their certified targets like LEED and BREEAM.

Sustainability a key feature

Our specialist fire protection work goes alongside other sustainable decisions. Compared to a full demolition and rebuild, choosing to work with the existing structure cuts the carbon footprint in half. Consequently, retaining the core structure achieves carbon savings of 465kgCO2 per sq. metre and through adopting a circular economy approach, much of the existing building material is recycled, with over 1,500 tonnes of stone and granite redesigned and reused.

Choosing to retrofit the structure aligned with KPF’s architectural design. John Bushell, design principal at KPF, said the project continued the practice’s long-term interest in reuse. He said, “The mixture of reuse and invention generates projects with great character, preserving history while allowing for vigorous renewal and making substantial savings of embodied carbon.”

These decisions are an excellent example of how the built environment is gradually becoming more sustainable. A few years ago, a renewal of this magnitude would have commonly been achieved by demolishing the existing building afresh. Now, we know better.

Mark Stewart, Director of Sentinel Contracting PLC, says:

“Our unwavering commitment to sustainable construction is not just about meeting today’s standards but about setting new benchmarks for the future. This project, a clear testament to our dedication, integrates cutting-edge sustainable solutions with a deep focus on occupier wellbeing—showcasing our ability to harmonize environmental, design, and safety considerations seamlessly. Our long track record of excellence and innovation in this area positions us as a trusted leader, committed to advancing the field of sustainable construction.”

This project targets a BREEAM Outstanding, Wiredscore Platinum and NABERS 5* Excellent rating.

Achieving Environmental Goals with Dulux 

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” - it’s a critical aspect of modern construction projects. Working with industry leaders like Dulux, we help contractors meet their sustainability objectives without compromising on performance or aesthetics. 

The Future of Building Safety: Firestopping & Compliance 

As we approach 2025, building safety remains a top priority, particularly when it comes to fire safety. At Sentinel, we’ve been at the forefront of this critical area, helping our clients ensure that their buildings are protected, compliant, and aligned with the industry’s most rigorous safety standards.

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Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” – it’s a critical aspect of modern construction projects. Working with industry leaders like Dulux, we help contractors meet their sustainability objectives without compromising on performance or aesthetics. 

As we approach 2025, building safety remains a top priority, particularly when it comes to fire safety. At Sentinel, we’ve been at the forefront of this critical area, helping our clients ensure that their buildings are protected, compliant, and aligned with the industry’s most rigorous safety standards.

We put safety, quality, innovation and sustainability first

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