Scope of project
Redlands was nominated by the client as the M&E contractor on this complicated and highly sensitive project. The scope of works included the evaluation of the existing air conditioning infrastructure and a proposal for the design and build of a modified cooling system. The evaluation highlighted that the company had gone through rapid expansion and new rooms were built within the floorspace to accommodate the expansion. The newly built rooms were a mixture of office space and meeting rooms which required isolated controls, so that the cooling in each area was managed by the occupants.
Building Fabric
There was a substantial amount of work to carry out above the ceiling grid with replacement ducting, valves and switching devices. The existing ceiling grid was de-commissioned and when the air conditioning infrastructure was complete a new grid was fixed. We also replaced the lighting with a mixture of 600 x 600 panel lighting and low-voltage spotlights. A new server room was also built using a bespoke partitioning system that was designed for this operation. We procured the services of a specialist fire suppression company for the system in the server room. We completed the decoration and flooring throughout the new renovations and installed a fully operational staff kitchen with all the required white goods.
Challenges
This area was a 24/7 operational working media centre and the programme of works and the health and safety that surrounded this project required vigorous planning. Isolation controls of the life protection systems was activated at the start of a working day and then activated once the work was completed in the selected area. We constructed a temporary studio that our clients could use for broadcasting as the essential works continued without interruption to the construction programme or the broadcasting service. A strict 5-point PPE was adopted for all people working on the floor when we were working above the ceiling grid. The communication with the client was vital as the broadcasting had to work seamless with our programme of works.
