Project Introduction
A JCT Design and Build Contract 2016, achieving BREEAM Excellent standards. The facility was awarded £9.4m by the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund. The project included installation of 156 laboratory benches, 23 offices, 5 meeting rooms, kitchens and breakout areas across an approximate gross internal floor area (GIFA) of 3,850m2. The build programme consisted of 168 piled foundations with a steel frame structure, external brickwork and cladding. A ballistic pit for “destructive testing”, and balancing tank were constructed, with the installation of two high powered electric cables to be used towards the development of electrical transportation and pioneer renewable technologies.
Mechanical & Electrical Works (M&E)
Working with our sub-contractor, Derry Limited, we collaboratively designed, developed and installed up to £5m worth of the complex mechanical, electrical and ventilation equipment. The successful installation stemmed from early collaboration, several technical design workshops, continuous evaluation of the design, build-ability and end user analysis. Adopting our in-house BIM level 2 principles we used a common data environment to ensure information exchange was carefully managed resulting in an average quality score of 9.5/10.
Environmental Achievements
We were commended during our independent review by the Considerate Constructors Scheme for going the extra mile to promote environmental benefits. This included, the installation of Bug Hotels, 3 Bat and Bird boxes, reducing our construction waste by 3/4 and actively promoting recycling on site by erecting up to 11 skips for easy sorting of waste.
Social Value
Our Business Support Manager, Matt Bust, worked with the university to provide student work experience, virtual career talks and offer guided site visits to university professionals. We encouraged our 92% local workforce to cycle, walk or car share to work and we went the extra mile by giving a local labourer a bicycle to allow him to cycle to work. This minimised the risk of Covid-19 transmission as he relied on public transport. We measured the carbon emissions of the project using the CCS Carbon Emissions Toolkit. Up to 80% of local spend was within 30 miles of site.
CAT B Fit Out
Embedding a “one team” collaborative ethos has led to the successful CAT B internal fit out of the R&D centre, including an X-Ray examinations room and associated clean room facilities for testing of components. We worked closely with our sub-contractor, to install two separate electrical systems powered by 5MBA electrical supply into the building. The high-powered test areas include 2 dedicated transformers, serviced via an 8000AMP panel that provides power for different types of testing.
Health & Safety
Our robust Covid safety procedures were communicated to all our workforce, including over 80 operatives and sub-contractors. Procedures and processes were audited over a 5 month period, each month. Rules were strictly adhered to meaning we had zero infections, despite the university campus being named as one of the high-risk campuses within the East Midlands. We scored 100% on each H&S audit and had zero RIDDORs. Our Covid Safety measures included:
- Rota systems were adopted to ensure operatives had regular breaks and access to the welfare facilities.
- Safety briefings were regularly communicated as Government rules changed.
- Trade support bubbles were created to offer support and minimise number of operatives working in a segregated zone.
- One-way pedestrian movement routes were created.
- Segregated working zones for each trade specialist were created
CCS Score: 42/50
The Considerate Constructors Scheme score included an innovation under the Environment category. The site developed a waste champions initiative with a monthly award given to the individual sub contractors and staff on site who are going above and beyond to improve productivity and lessen waste. This has supported significant waste reduction figures achieved, increased waste awareness, understanding, involvement and commitment to minimising waste across the sites supply chain.