CASE STUDY — COMMERCIAL
Salvation Army Citadel, Sevenoaks
Roof repair and chimney scaffold on a Victorian period building in the heart of Sevenoaks
The Salvation Army citadel in Sevenoaks is a period building of considerable age — Victorian at the earliest, with the character and construction methods that define buildings of that era. Roof repairs and chimney work on a building of this type are not straightforward. The original roof structure, the chimney stacks, the masonry, and the architectural features all require a scaffold approach that protects the building's historic fabric while providing safe, compliant working access for the trades carrying out the repairs.
Pinnacle Scaffolding was appointed to design and erect the scaffold for the roof repair and chimney repair programme at the Sevenoaks citadel.
The Challenge
Victorian and pre-Victorian period buildings present specific challenges that modern construction does not. The roof structures on buildings of this age were built without the tolerances and standardisation of modern construction — every property is slightly different, and the scaffold has to be designed around what is actually there rather than what a standard template assumes.
Chimney stacks on period buildings of this age are often in varying states of repair. The scaffold approach to chimney work on an older structure — whether birdcage, tied chimney, or a more complex arrangement — has to be assessed individually on site before erection begins. Tie placement on Victorian masonry requires care: the original lime mortar joints and the brick itself are not always able to accept the same loads as modern cavity wall construction.
The Sevenoaks citadel is a prominent building in the town. The scaffold had to be managed in a way that was appropriate to both the building and its setting in the community it serves.
Our Approach
Pinnacle carried out a full site survey before erection began, assessing the roof profile, the chimney configurations, and the condition of the masonry to determine the correct scaffold approach for the repair programme. The structure was designed to provide safe working access at roof and chimney level across the building, with tie placement selected to protect the original masonry throughout.
The scaffold provided the roofing and chimney repair teams with stable, compliant access platforms for the full duration of the repair programme. On completion, the scaffold was struck cleanly and the site handed back. RAMS documentation and method statements were provided as standard. Every operative held a current CISRS card.
KEY CREDENTIALS
What We Delivered
Roof repairs and chimney work on Victorian period buildings are a consistent part of what we do across Kent, South East London, and Surrey. Buildings of this age require a scaffold contractor who understands the material they are working with — lime mortar, original slate and clay tile, complex chimney configurations — and who will carry out a proper site survey before giving a price.
If you manage a period building, a community or institutional property, or a Victorian or Edwardian structure requiring roof or chimney access, call us for a free site survey.