Retention of masonry facades - best practice guide (C579)

This publication provides best practice guidance for the safe, economic and practical retention of existing façades. It is intended to be the standard reference for all who have an active involvement in such projects.

The book covers both load-bearing masonry and masonry façades with embedded steel or reinforced concrete frames, generally constructed in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, and of varying size and complexity. It describes the planning, design and construction procedures for façade retention, the principal parties involved and their responsibilities, and the health and safety issues associated with this work. The risks and uncertainties of work with existing construction are discussed and the benefit of allowing both time and money for early investigation is emphasised.

In the absence of a code of practice for façade retention, the book gives recommendations for various parameters to be used in the design of façade retention systems. These are based on wide-ranging industry consultations, a review of the substantial volume of literature available and a review of a variety of façade retention projects.

This detailed best practice guidance is complemented by the CIRIA publication Retention of masonry façades - best practice site handbook (C589). The Site handbook is aimed more directly at temporary works co-ordinators, planning supervisors, site agents, site engineers and safety advisers, and is intended to be an essential part of site documentation for façade retention projects.