A Guide to Construction Hoarding, from AFI member Topan Group

In the fast-paced world of UK construction, site hoarding is far more than just a perimeter fence. It’s a legal necessity; a safety barrier; a brand statement; an opportunity for environmental innovation. From Tier 1 construction companies to utility companies, schools or football clubs, understanding the full scope of modern hoarding solutions can be critical to a project’s success. This comprehensive guide, informed by industry best practices and a commitment to sustainability, will take you through everything you need to know about construction hoarding, from legal obligations to the tangible benefits of next-generation uPVC systems.

Hoarding as a Safety Imperative

Before diving into materials and aesthetics, consider why site hoarding is a non-negotiable part of any major construction project. The legal framework surrounding construction sites and hoarding is designed to protect both the public and on-site workers.

The primary piece of legislation is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This act places a legal duty on all employers and self-employed individuals to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of employees and the general public. For a construction site, compliance can be achieved by creating a secure boundary that prevents unauthorised access and protects passers-by from on-site hazards such as falling debris, machinery and open excavations.

Complementing this, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) explicitly state that reasonable steps must be taken to prevent unauthorised access to a construction site. A robust and well-maintained hoarding system is the most effective way to meet this requirement. The regulations stipulate that hoarding must be:

• Tall enough to prevent easy scaling.
• Structurally sound and stable to withstand wind loads and impact.
• Secure to deter opportunistic theft and unauthorised entry.
• Equipped with secure access points like gates and pedestrian doors.
• Maintained and inspected regularly throughout the project’s duration.

The responsibility for this lies squarely with the Principal Contractor. Under CDM 2015, the Principal Contractor is responsible for planning, managing and monitoring the construction phase, including the installation and maintenance of site hoarding. However, the client also holds responsibilities, particularly in the initial planning and design phases, to ensure a safe and compliant project from the outset.

uPVC Hoarding: The Smart and Sustainable Choice

For decades, the standard was simple timber and plywood hoarding. Whilst effective, this traditional approach is increasingly being replaced by a more advanced, sustainable and cost-effective alternative: uPVC hoarding.

What is uPVC Hoarding?

uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) hoarding is a modular, panel-based system manufactured and installed with a commitment to the circular economy. Unlike timber, which is often a single-use product destined for landfill, uPVC panels are designed for reusability. Our systems are not only fully recyclable at the end of their long service life, they are also manufactured from recycled materials, embodying a truly sustainable solution that minimises waste from the outset.

 

The benefits of uPVC hoarding are extensive and tangible:

• Significant CO2 Savings and Environmental Impact Reduction: The use of recycled materials and the ability to reuse panels across multiple projects dramatically reduce the carbon footprintcompared to single-use timber. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can verify these savings, providing clients with robust data to support their sustainability reports.
• Superior Durability and Weather Resistance: uPVC is non-porous and resistant to moisture, rot and rust. This makes it ideal for the unpredictable UK weather, ensuring the hoarding maintains its professional appearance and structural integrity for the duration of the project and beyond.
• Ease and Speed of Installation: Modular uPVC systems feature a “click-fit” or “tongue and groove” design that allows for rapid installation. This significantly reduces labour time and costs, helping contractors stay on schedule and within budget.
• Adaptable Fixing Methods: uPVC systems are highly versatile and can be installed using various methods to suit specific site conditions.

• • Kentledge (Above-Ground) Fixings: Using concrete blocks to secure the hoarding, our unique kentledge system is ingeniously designed to adapt to any terrain, providing a stable and secure solution on uneven or challenging ground where traditional fixings would fail. This method is also ideal for sites where digging is not an option due to ground conditions, underground services or for projects where the hoarding needs to be moved during phased works.
  • Dug-in Posts: Securing posts in the ground with concrete provides maximum stability and is often preferred for long-term projects in areas with high wind exposure.
  • Bolt Down Steel Posts: A durable and secure option for when space is at a premium and a suitable concrete base already exists.

• Structural Integrity and Wind Calculations: A key consideration for any hoarding system is its ability to withstand wind loads. A reputable hoarding installer will provide a wind loading temporary works study for each project, ensuring the design and fixings are calibrated to the site-specific conditions to comply with standards such as the Temporary Works Forum (TWF) guidance. This is a critical safety and compliance measure that provides peace of mind.

Beyond the Hoarding

A hoarding system is rarely a standalone product. A complete site perimeter requires a suite of complementary products to ensure full functionality, security, and compliance. This may include:

• Vehicle and Pedestrian Gates: Essential for controlling site access and providing secure entry/exit points for workers and machinery.
• Mesh Panels: Used for sections where visibility is required, such as along footpaths or for brand advertising. They also provide a cost-effective solution for large-scale perimeters. Mesh panels can also be used to increase the height of the hoarding for sites requiring a higher level of security.
• Branding and Graphics: The smooth, flat surface of uPVC hoarding is the perfect canvas for high-impact graphics. This turns a functional barrier into a powerful marketing tool for the developer, main contractor and project stakeholders.  With the application of corporate and/or bespoke graphics, hoarding can be used to advertise the project, showcase the final building design and engage the local community.
• Acoustic Hoarding: For sites in densely populated areas, acoustic-rated hoarding can be used to help reduce noise pollution significantly, minimising disruption to neighbouring businesses and residents.