This past spring, Dakota Hotel Newcastle officially opened its doors on the city’s iconic Quayside — a striking transformation of a former office block into a sleek, 118-room boutique hotel. It’s a fantastic addition to the North East’s growing hospitality scene.
But while the glossy entrance, rooftop views, and luxury interiors take centre stage, there’s something much less visible that played a crucial role in bringing this project to life — fire safety. That’s where Isoler Ltd. stepped in.
From Steel to Safety: A Local Firm Making a Big Impact
Headquartered on Belmont Industrial Estate in Durham, Isoler Ltd is well known across the North East for its expertise in building fire protection. Appointed by GMI Construction Group, Isoler originally came on board to apply protective coatings during the early construction phase of Dakota.
Their work impressed so much that they were later awarded a much larger role: delivering a full fire stopping services package to make sure the hotel met all the necessary safety regulations, going above and beyond.
Isoler’s Scope of Work at Dakota Hotel
Fire-Stopping That Keeps Guests Safe
Isoler’s fire-stopping work was vital to the hotel’s approval and long-term safety. Here’s what their fire stopping services involved:
- Fire and Smoke Barriers: Installed throughout the building to contain fire and smoke to specific zones. These barriers help maintain fire compartmentation, a key requirement under UK fire safety law.
- Sealing Penetrations: Pipes, cables, and ducts were sealed using fire-resistant materials, preserving the integrity of fire-rated walls and ceilings.
- Cavity Barriers: Hidden voids within floors and walls were fitted with barriers to stop fire and smoke from travelling undetected through the building structure.
All this work was carried out with one thing in mind: to protect future guests, staff, and the building itself.
Balancing Safety with Style
Dakota Newcastle is unique in that it retains many of the architectural features from its previous life as an office building. With this in mind, Isoler had to ensure all fire stopping services were not only effective but also discreet. Working closely with the design team, they managed to keep safety front and centre, without affecting the hotel’s modern aesthetic.
Their work supported the development of guest rooms, corridors, communal areas, and back-of-house zones, all while meeting strict building fire protection guidelines.
Trusted and Certified
Isoler’s fire-stopping installations were delivered to third-party certification standards, including FIRAS accreditation. That means their work has been independently assessed and approved, giving GMI Construction, the hotel operators, and guests complete peace of mind.
It’s yet another example of how North East businesses are leading the way in safe, high-quality construction.
A Track Record of Local Excellence
Isoler’s involvement in high-profile schemes is part of a growing portfolio of landmark projects across the North East and beyond, including Hadrian’s Tower, the old Debenhams building in Newcastle, Haddington Vale in Sunderland, and recent works at the Holiday Inn in Stevenage and Bowden Hall in Gloucester. Their experience in fire compartmentation, insulation, and coatings makes them a go-to partner for complex, safety-critical builds.
In Summary
The Dakota Hotel Newcastle stands tall today as a luxury destination on the banks of the Tyne. However, without the expert input from local specialists like Isoler Ltd., it wouldn’t be the safe, regulation-compliant space it is now.From applying protective coatings to delivering an end-to-end fire stopping services package, Isoler played a vital part in ensuring the building meets the highest standards in modern building fire protection, without losing its character or charm.
