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Contract News
BRIDLINGTON SEAFRONT REJUVENATED WITH BESPOKE LIGHTING SOLUTION
On the East coast of Yorkshire, Bridlington is a popular seaside destination. Lacking any major redevelopment for almost three decades, the seafront’s public spaces were in need of regeneration. So in 2019, East Riding of Yorkshire Council embarked on an ambitious £4m project to transform an area between Garrison Square and Regent Gardens, reinvigorating the space with an exciting new, colourful look.
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Crucial to the revitalisation plan was the installation of new lighting elements within the communal areas. Sutton Vane Associates was appointed by engineering consultant Sweco to design a lighting scheme that added vibrancy to the site whilst also providing a practical benefit after dark.
Outdoor lighting specialist, DW Windsor, was also commissioned to develop a custom lighting solution to fulfil the new design.
DW Windsor worked with Sutton Vane Associates to create several completely bespoke, illuminated totems that formed the centrepiece of the new lighting scheme. The totems are lit from top to bottom and incorporate colour-changing functionality, which can be set for different purposes, such as celebrating holidays and calendar events.
In addition, DW Windsor’s inground linear lighting solution, Vaio, was specifided to further enhance the walkways along the seafront. Given the coastal location, the lighting needed to withstand highly variable weather conditions. Vaio is a fully encapsulated IP67 LED system, ensuring its robustness even in these extremities.
Discussing the project, Guy Bolton, Special Projects Co-Ordinator at DW Windsor, says: “Seaside locations are always a joy to work on, whilst bringing some unique challenges. Thanks to our extensive portfolio, we were able to offer robust lighting that can withstand the elements and vehicle traffic.”
DW Windsor, dwwindsor.com
ELECTRICAL SERVICES COMPANY COMPLETES REVAMP AT UK’S OLDEST HOTEL
A north west-headquartered electrical services company has completed a full electrical revamp on what is thought to be Europe’s oldest coaching inn.
The age and significance of The Olde Bell in Hurley, Berkshire, meant work was subject to stringent regulations covering which parts could be altered or even simply used for fittings.
Ash Integrated Services spent six months painstakingly working on the Grade II-listed building, parts of which date back to 1135, completely renewing its mains electricity provision, including new lighting and power throughout.
The company also fitted a new fire alarm system, plus data and audio-visual connectivity in all bedrooms.
Antony Grace, director at Ash Integrated Services, says: “Between COVID-19 and the heritage restrictions, we had a team of just two on-site, which meant each part of the work required a very tight turnaround.
“The placement of each element of the wiring, the choice of lighting, and even the fittings holding components in place had to be carefully considered. By sensitively fitting the right modern electrical equipment with precision, particularly the state-of-the-art fire alarm system, we have helped protect the Olde Bell for many years to come.” Ash Integrated Services, ashintegratedservices.co.uk
NITTAN EVOLUTION FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM PROTECTS NI SHOPPING CENTRE
A Nittan Evolution fire detection system has been installed into the Bloomfield Shopping Centre in Bangor by Nittan Elite Partner Solutions for Systems, based in Northern Ireland.
Built in 1992, the Bloomfield Shopping Centre features a covered mall with 45 retailers, eight retail park units and three stand-alone restaurants.
A new fire detection system was required at the site and, following detailed proposals by Solutions for Systems, a Nittan Evolution system was installed.
The new fire detection systems feature eight Nittan Evolution 1 fire alarm control panels installed in a network at strategic locations throughout the site, enabling site personnel to quickly and effectively access and assess any alerts on the fire alarm system without needing to return to the control room or to have dedicated staff located at a single panel in a control room.
The new BS5839 Part 1 compliant Nittan Evolution system installed at Bloomfield Shopping Centre is now in operation and meeting the needs of its customer. It provides the level of protection required at a competitive price, from the cost of the equipment through to the installation and ongoing maintenance. Whilst the cause-and-effect requirements of the centre and retail park are relatively complex and detailed, it was easy to configure with the Nittan system and a substantial part of the work to do so was performed off site which reduced on site disruption and installation costs. In addition, the system is open protocol which ensures the Nittan system can readily interface with the existing centre BMS and also the systems in individual shop/retail units. Nittan, nittan.co.uk
FIRE-CRYER GRADUATES AT SWANSEA UNIVERSITY
Vimpex Fire-Cryer Voice Enhanced Sounders have been installed on link bridges between buildings at Swansea University, to increase the protection of staff and students should there be a fire alarm, by delivering clear messages and ensure a fast, efficient evacuation.
Swansea University has eight colleges spread across its two campuses which are located on the coastline of Swansea Bay.
Following a fire risk assessment carried out by the University that identified the sound of the fire alarm not reaching all parts of the campus, it was decided to install voice enhanced sounders on link bridges between University buildings to ensure staff and students would evacuate as quickly and effectively as possible, should there be a fire emergency.
Vimpex Fire-Cryer Voice Sounders were specified because they offer a simple, fully synchronised and cost-effective voice evacuation solution. Whether retro-fitted into an existing installation or as part of a new system design, they can be fully integrated into the fire alarm system and work on a conventional two-wire bell circuit. They can be fully synchronised and have a low current consumption allowing simple replacement of existing sounders and bells.
Fire-Cryer Voice Sounders can be programmed to produce bespoke messages and tones specifically designed for each location, and is claimed to be the only voice sounder system available with a range of discrete ceiling mounted voice sounders through to high output IP66 voice sounders. Vimpex, vimpex.co.uk
GREEN ENERGY FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT
An electrical services firm has been awarded top marks by a north west college after carrying out work to improve the sustainability of its campuses.
Atherton-based Ash Integrated Services has brought the solar PV panels at Harpurhey and Wythenshawe campuses back to full power, generating capacity for The Manchester College.
The company has also installed electric vehicle charge points at the Wythenshawe and Openshaw sites.
The work on the solar panels means the college will save significant money over the coming years on its electricity bill, with the new charge points helping to accommodate those who wish to drive without using fossil fuels.
Antony Grace, director at Ash Integrated Services, says: “We’re very pleased to see The Manchester College back to full power after replacing components on their solar PV panels.
“Microgeneration schemes like this are part of the country’s journey to sustainability by supplying net zero carbon electricity where they’re needed. However, without regular maintenance, they can become little more than expensive roof tiles.
“These panels will also be able to help power staff and school vehicles, thanks to the electric charge points we have also installed at Wythenshawe and Openshaw.” Ash Integrated Services, ashintegratedservices.co.uk
J S WRIGHT LANDS £9M-PLUS RESIDENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL
Birmingham-based building services specialist J S Wright has secured a contract valued at more than £9m to install the engineering infrastructure systems for the third and largest phase of one of London’s biggest regeneration projects.
The mechanical and electrical package will serve 620 apartments at Hallsville Quarter, a new £600m town centre scheme which is being developed by Bouygues UK for Canning Town in the east London borough of Newham.
The mix of private rented, shared ownership, affordable and extra care units are part of ambitious plans to create a thriving community and establish a legacy for Canning Town.
J S Wright will provide a heating distribution network to circulate low temperature hot water from an energy centre to the apartments, along with the pipework systems from plantrooms to distribute mains and boosted cold water. The mechanical works will also include installing above ground drainage in landlord areas and internal rainwater harvesting systems.
In addition, J S Wright will install variable refrigerant flow heating and cooling services and domestic services for the extra care units.
The electrical works will involve fitting a low voltage power distribution network, fire detection, suppression and containment systems, landlord lighting and power services, and external lighting.
Work on site has already started on the project which is scheduled for completion in late 2023.
APCOA DELIVERS FIRST NHS MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK WITH INTEGRATED ENERGY CENTRE
APCOA Parking has announced the opening of a new 729-space multi-storey car park (MSCP) at Northwick Park Hospital which includes an integrated energy centre – the first combined solution of this kind. APCOA managed the complex design and build of the new facility and will operate the car park on behalf of the Trust as part of a new 20-year agreement.
The five-storey MSCP, which replaces a low-density surface car park in the grounds of the hospital, has been designed with a Vertical Circulation Module steel frame and was built in less than a year.
The car park incorporates Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology which can support the future use of APCOA’s comprehensive multisite, self-service online permit management system. To improve environmental sustainability, 30 EV charging points are available, with the capacity to increase in future as required.
An 800m² energy centre, architecturally engineered into the footprint of the multi-storey car park, provides capacity for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust to generate income and achieve environmental improvements. Once the energy centre is fully commissioned over the next 12 months, the Trust will reduce its current energy spend by £1.9m a year.
The combination of a state-of-the-art CHP system, enhanced by innovative combined air and water sourced heat pumps along with a battery storage system, will also create a smart grid, producing a saving of 2,500 tonnes of carbon every year. APCOA Parking, apcoa.co.uk