Scaffold Encapsulation at the Natural History Museum, London

EcoShrink delivered scaffold encapsulation at the Natural History Museum in Central London. Flame-retardant, UV-stable shrink wrap formed a sealed enclosure around a landmark façade so phased works could continue safely on a live public site. The wrap cut wind and rain ingress, controlled dust and overspray and kept the elevation looking tidy throughout the programme.

Scaffold Encapsulation at the London Natural History Museum

Summary (At a Glance)

�️ Client/site: Natural History Museum

📍 Location: Central London

🗓️ Programme: Phased live-site works

🏙️ Exposure: Urban façade • Public interface

📏 Area wrapped: ~2,300 m²

🔥 FR grade: Flame-retardant (certified)

Project overview

The museum needed a temporary encapsulation system that would protect the building and public while work continued in phases. The scaffold had to be fully wrapped to control dust and overspray next to busy pedestrian routes, without compromising security or presentation. EcoShrink installed FR, UVstable 300 µm scaffold wrap over approximately 2,300 m² of elevation, heatwelded into a continuous skin and detailed to suit live access routes and inspection needs.

Challenges on site

• Live public interface around a landmark attraction

• Urban exposure with wind and rain at height

• Need to control dust and overspray close to pedestrian routes

• Security and fire safety requirements on a high-profile building

• Phased programme, with works running under a live scaffold wrap

• Requirement to keep the museum’s presentation tidy while works progressed

Our solution

EcoShrink designed and installed a scaffold encapsulation system built around FR, UV-stable 300 µm film, welded into a sealed skin over the access scaffold. The method combined careful planning of access and egress with controlled hot-works and live-site safety measures so the museum could keep operating throughout the programme.

Scope and preparation

• Logged utilities, fire egress points and wayfinding across the work area Issued

• RAMS and an agreed programme with mobilisation date

• Agreed delivery and inspection routes and quiet hours with the site team

• Set exclusion zones and signed pedestrian lines around the workface

  
  
  
  

Wrap and weld

• Installed EcoShrink flame-retardant, UV-stable scaffold wrap at 300 µm thickness

• Hung, tensioned and heat-welded panels into a continuous, drum-tight skin

• Detailed seams and corners to resist wind loading and everyday handling

Fire safety

• Confirmed FR grade in line with the project fire strategy and documentation

• Operated under a hot-works permit for welding activities

• Positioned extinguishers at key points such as stair towers, hoists and doors for quick access

Monitoring, service life and aftercare

• Noted service life for wraps expected to remain in place beyond six months

• Provided care and reseal guidance with a small reseal kit for minor repairs over the programme

This approach delivered a sealed façade that still allowed practical access for inspections and deliveries while keeping public routes clear and safe.

Results

• Sealed scaffold encapsulation created safer work zones on a live publicfacing elevation

• Reduced wind and rain ingress at height, helping trades work more consistently in variable weather

• Better control of dust and overspray next to busy pedestrian routes

• Tidy, uniform appearance compatible with a landmark Central London site

• Clear pedestrian routes and exclusion zones improved wayfinding and site safety around the works

• Defined method and aftercare guidance supported the museum’s team for the life of the wrap

FAQ

How long did the scaffold encapsulation stay in place at the Natural History Museum?

The wrap was designed for phased live-site works, with service life monitoring and reminders noted for wraps expected to stay in place beyond six months. The flame-retardant, UV-stable 300 µm film and welded seams were specified to cope with extended exposure on an urban façade, subject to periodic checks and minor reseals where required.

How was access for inspections and deliveries managed on such a busy site?

Access routes were agreed in advance with the museum’s team as part of the RAMS and programme. Doors, stair towers and delivery points were kept clear within the encapsulation, with signed pedestrian lines and exclusion zones to separate works from public routes. This kept inspections and deliveries practical while maintaining a sealed, safe enclosure.

What weather and dust risks did the encapsulation help control in Central London?

The scaffold wrap limited wind and rain ingress at height, which reduced weather-related stoppages on the façade. It also helped contain dust and overspray next to busy public routes, keeping the immediate environment cleaner and supporting the museum’s presentation standards while works progressed.

Similar projects & next steps

EcoShrink applies the same scaffold encapsulation methods on heritage buildings, live city-centre façades and complex public interfaces across the UK. You can see more examples on our Scaffold Wrap Case Studies hub, or explore our full Scaffold Shrink Wrap service for methods, options and FAQs.

If you have drawings and photos for a similar project, share the elevations and key dates and we’ll return a costed method, FR wrap specification and earliest start dates. Use the scaffold shrink wrap calculator.

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