Extensive refurbishment of the existing laboratory facilities.
The project included enabling works (covering demolition, soft strip etc.); structural alterations, extensive M&E, AV and specialist gas services (incorporating core drilling of floor slabs to facilitate new services). Following completion of the services installation, external works, finishes, testing and commissioning and snagging were carried out.
Managing construction workmanship during the continued use of a live occupied building poses a number of challenges. To overcome these, we segregated work areas with temporary screens to protect the workforce, students and University employees – this also helped to control dust spreading throughout the corridors into other labs and offices.
Refurbishment included adaptation of incoming services (water, electrics and specialised gases). These could only be isolated out of hours, we liaised with the University to carry out change over during evenings and weekends, allowing for equipment to be shut down before they went home. In turn enabling the continued day-to-day running of the department.
All sub-contractors understood the need for flexibility and agility and delivered accordingly, though strong and coordinated communication and management.
The works programme overlapped the examination period. Once provided with the timetable we interfaced works to limit noise and disturbance, and managed our destructive works accordingly.
Adapting to Covid-19 procedures
At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we adopted new Site Operating Procedures – adapting to work in collaboration with the University’s needs in a live building. We arranged for alternate stairwell use, and employed a designated cleaner to wipe down all surfaces during each day to help prevent the spread of infection to building users.
To stay on programme and to reduce the numbers of people entering the building at any one time, we ran a 5-day split shift – mechanical engineers from 7am until 3 pm: electricians from 3pm until 9pm. The ceiling grid was installed over a weekend, keeping subcontractors distanced throughout. These strict procedures ensured safety and quality of workmanship (through collaboration and communication) while working on campus.
M&E Package
The major M&E package was assigned to SSE – who had a design input on the air handling unit and associated ductwork, including:
• AC fan core units, fume cupboards/duct work;
• Water purifiers, water heaters, water boosters/pipe work;
• Chemical sinks, basins/eye wash stations.
Five different gases needed to be adapted and run throughout the lab to a gas store outside.
Electrically, FCL designed and installed power supply to all the newly installed equipment and lighting through the labs, with a new network and BMS (Building Management System panel. Our site team held weekly team meetings with SSE to keep track of progress, procurement and resources – ensuring our programme dates were met – and discussed critical completion dates to allow follow on trades.
A monthly team meeting with SSE, the University and their team ensured everybody involved in the project discussed design, progress, programme and key dates. Through the Covid pandemic, an agile approach included running video calls, with progress photographs being emailed to the relevant parties. Communication proved key to running this project successfully and on time.
Additionally, our site team held daily discussions with the dedicated supervisors on site, making sure everyone worked together safely to deliver a quality refurbishment scheme.
