Coin Street Community Centre, London, UK

Project Overview

Coin Street is a social enterprise dedicated to protecting and strengthening the Waterloo and North Southwark community. Since transforming a derelict riverside site in 1984, it has created homes, workplaces and valued community facilities serving families, young people and older residents alike.

As part of estate improvement works, existing timber decking and structural supports which provided access to office accommodation and designated fire escape routes required full removal and replacement. Safety, compliance and longevity were critical to the brief.

Dura Composites supplied a fully non-combustible aluminium decking and substructure system, enabling Arte Construction to deliver a safe, compliant and future-ready communal access area.

The Engineering Challenge

The original timber deck and joists had deteriorated, creating safety and compliance risks on a key access and fire escape route. The replacement solution needed to:

• Eliminate combustible materials
• Bridge open spans without overcomplicating the structure
• Integrate with the existing frame
• Deliver long-term durability with reduced maintenance

During investigation works, the team also discovered that the existing steel support structures varied significantly across the deck area. In some locations, there was a substantial level difference that complicated installation.

A like-for-like timber replacement would not meet modern fire safety expectations or whole-life performance goals. A robust, non-combustible solution was required that could also accommodate the complexities of the steel height differences and create a consistent level for installation.

A Smarter Aluminium Solution

Arte Construction selected a combined system of Dura Deck® Aluminium Free-Drain decking boards, d² Dura Aluminium Bearers and the patented d² Quickspan Beam to deliver structural performance and compliance in one coordinated package.

The d² Quickspan Beam paired with a G-Bracket detail proved critical in resolving the structural disparity between the existing steel elements. By bridging the difference between the 152mm PFC and the 430mm central spine, the beam and bracket combination created a level structural support, allowing the new deck system to be installed efficiently across the irregular frame.

Fire-Safe Remediation with Minimal Disruption

The project involved the full removal of the non-compliant timber decking and structural supports, followed by installation of a fully non-combustible aluminium substructure and decking system.

Given the deck’s role as both a communal access route and a designated fire escape, maintaining safe access throughout the works was critical. Careful sequencing and the modular nature of the aluminium system enabled efficient installation while limiting disruption to office users and the community.

By utilising d² Quickspan Beams to bridge wider gaps, Arte Construction reduced the number of intermediate supports required, simplifying the structural layout and accelerating programme delivery.

The result is a compliant, long-life access structure delivered safely and efficiently within a live community environment.

Results and Impact

• Full removal of degraded timber decking and joists
• Installation of a fully non-combustible aluminium system
• Structural level differences resolved using Dura’s Quickspan beam and bracket solution
• Improved fire escape compliance
• Reduced structural components through Quickspan integration
• Long-life, low-maintenance solution
• Enhanced safety and slip resistance
• 100% recyclable aluminium supporting sustainability objectives

The completed access structure now provides a safe, compliant and future-proof communal area, supporting Coin Street’s continued commitment to maintaining high-quality, resilient community infrastructure.

Replacing combustible timber decking with a non-combustible aluminium system was essential to restoring confidence in the safety of this access route. By combining Dura Deck Aluminium with our Quickspan beam system, the project team achieved a solution that meets modern fire safety expectations while providing long-term durability and low maintenance.

Jack Francis

Client Success Manager at Dura Composites

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