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Contract News
from ECN May 2021
Intelligent video specialist, One Big Circle has successfully secured a contract with Network Rail to detect critical faults on the conductor rail of the electric sections of routes. One Big Circle’s solution combines its AIVR (Automated Intelligent Video Review) on-train technology with thermal cameras to detect hot spots of over 80 degrees on the conductor rail and will begin life on the South East route for the next six months.
The contract win follows intensive collaboration work between One Big Circle, Network Rail’s Signalling Innovation Group (SIG) and the Intelligent Infrastructure Group, who carried out a ‘proof of concept’ trial throughout summer 2020.
When One Big Circle’s existing AIVR software, which was built to detect anomalies in the rail infrastructure, is combined with the thermal camera it automatically detects and sends alerts detailing when and where the maximum temperature has been breached. Hot spots are discovered both on the conductor rail and connecting electrical cables, immediately sending the data back to the remote monitoring system and its team of engineers to verify.
During the trial period last summer, over 100 hours of video footage were captured, and a variety of examples of temperature breaches were detected by the technology, providing the proof of concept needed to secure the contract and continued partnership between One Big Circle and Network Rail, and utilising the support of train operators such as Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) whose trains will carry the cameras. The thermal cameras and AIVR devices will be mounted onboard in-service operational vehicles across the South East for the next six months, aiming to then be available across the UK rail network.
One Big Circle, onebigcircle.co.uk
£25M CONTRACT TO CREATE FLAGSHIP ‘SMART BUILDING’
SES Engineering Services (SES) has been appointed to deliver £25m worth of MEP services to Helical’s latest commercial offering in the capital, known as 33 Charterhouse Street.
Working alongside lead contractor, Mace, SES will provide full mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services at the 200,000 sq ft 10-storey block in the heart of Farringdon. It will involve a Category A office fit-out, with integrated building services to make the building ‘smart’ and ultimately, more energy efficient – making variables like heating, lighting and security accessible on one network and giving the end user sight and control over the entire building using just one platform.
The build has been carefully designed to be Helical’s first commercial offering that targets a BREEAM rating of Outstanding, and will play a significant role in supporting the developer to meet its ambition of having all new developments net zero carbon and in operation by 2025.
SES is working closely with all delivery partners and stakeholders – including the end facilities management company, Ashdown Philipps – to ensure all services can be integrated correctly and are designed for frictionless operation. Offsite technology is playing a large part in delivery, with components built and tested at its offsite manufacturing centre, Prism, while an extensive digital twin model has also been created to ensure seamless assimilation.
SES will commence on site in 2021 and will complete next year. SES Engineering Services, ses-ltd.co.uk
PREFERRED BIDDER ANNOUNCED FOR ROYAL HOLLOWAY CAMPUS EXPANSION PROJECT
Balfour Beatty has announced that it has been appointed as preferred bidder by Royal Holloway, University of London, for the development of a student village at Rusham Park in Egham, Surrey.
In partnership with Royal Holloway under a 50-year concession contract, Balfour Beatty will design, build, finance and operate, alongside Student Living by Sodexo, a new 1,400 room student village at Rusham Park. In addition, the company will operate the existing 621-bed George Eliot student accommodation complex in London.
Bringing together expertise from across the Group, Balfour Beatty’s UK Construction Services business will be responsible for the construction of the new student village at Rusham Park.
As part of the c.£130 million design and build phase, Balfour Beatty will deploy modern construction methods such as the offsite manufacturing of the external walls, floors and bathroom pods, to improve health and safety and reduce the overall project duration.
To support Balfour Beatty and Royal Holloway in achieving their bold and ambitious net-zero carbon targets, energy efficient systems, such as air source heat pump technology, will be deployed throughout the build.
On completion, the project will form a critical part of the University’s plan to provide affordable but high-quality living, social and amenity spaces for its growing student population.
With financial close anticipated in early 2022, construction is due to commence shortly thereafter, with completion scheduled ahead of the 2024/25 academic year. Balfour Beatty, balfourbeatty.com
TCLARKE HEALTHCARE WINS HOSPITAL PROJECT
BAM Construction has appointed TClarke, on the CSDP 2 project for Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, to create a new MRI suite, 24-bed haematology oncology ward and associated facilities.
The new building will be a three-storey extension to the existing Trelawny Wing, with the MRI suite connected at lower ground floor level to the imaging department and designed to contain up to three scanners.
Rob Faro, Director of TClarke UK South says: “We are delighted to have won the complete mechanical and electrical engineering packages with BAM on this complex project. One floor will be entirely focused on imaging capability – an area in which we are acknowledged as UK market leaders. The project also involves very complex vent systems with another floor featuring isolation facilities for neutropenic cancer patients (people with low levels of infection-fighting white blood cells). We will also be installing HV systems and generators as there is a new substation involved as part of this project.”
Thom Lafferty, Director of Strategy and Performance at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, and Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for the project comments: “TClarke have worked on several of our projects over recent years and we are pleased to be able to engage with Rob and the team once again. Aside from TClarke’s technical expertise, we particularly value their approach to local employment and their provision of a wide range of training and development opportunities to local people.” TClarke, tclarke.co.uk
HYDROSENSE PROTECTS NEW DUBLIN AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER
TRIPLE CONTRACT SUCCESS FOR WATES FM
Vimpex’s Hydrosense Water Leak Detection System has been installed in Dublin Airport’s new Visual Control Tower (VCT) to protect the new state of the art facility from water ingress, which could seriously damage electrical, communication and computer networks. The 87m high tower is Ireland’s tallest occupied structure and a commanding new addition to the city’s skyline. It comprises three separate but integrated building elements: the control cab and associated elements, the cab supporting shaft, and a base building. The base building will accommodate staff facilities, electronic systems and mechanical plant space to provide control of the building environment.
Vimpex’s Hydrosense Water Leak Detection systems are delivering the new standard in water leak detection; applying the integrity, control and reliability of life safety and building infrastructure systems to protect against water ingress that could seriously damage critical IT and communication infrastructure. It continuously monitors for water leaks around the clock, year in year out and has the facility for 72-hour battery standby in the event of power failure. Should a leak be detected, the control panel sounds an alarm which can be extended to a remote location. When an alarm is raised, Vimpex Hydro-Cryer voice sounders can be used to broadcast an unambiguous message, avoiding confusion with other sounders on site.
Utilising life safety technology in the design of Hydrosense provides the reliability and integrity of EN approved fire detection systems, meaning there is virtually no risk of failure, downtime and significantly fewer false alarms. Vimpex, vimpex.co.uk
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION AT HMP THAMESIDE
Skanska has completed work to replace the existing pharmacy and construct a new Video Court Centre (VCC), on behalf of its long-standing customers, Serco Group and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
The team started on site in January last year, completing the replacement pharmacy in August, followed by the new VCC six months later.
The company delivered work that included the ceiling, partitions, data cabling, mechanical, electrical and public health services, and the structural engineering services.
The work to replace the pharmacy has significantly increased its capacity to meet the increasing medical needs of inmates. The facilities provided by the new VCC will reduce the need to travel to court hearings, helping to alleviate the challenges of secure transportation of prisoners and reducing carbon emissions.
Throughout the construction phase of this project, the team developed a strong relationship with the supply chain and prison staff to minimise disruption to the operation of the facilities, as well as the inmates. During the COVID-19 pandemic the team overcame significant challenges, minimising any delays to the project whilst at the same time prioritising everyone’s safety. Skanska, skanska.co.uk Wates FM has announced three new contracts in the legal, property management and global commercial real estate sectors.
A three-year contract with Midlands based legal firm, Higgs and Sons, involves mechanical and electrical (M&E) works, fabric building services and reactive repairs to the firm’s Brierley Hill office, delivered through a combination of regular site visits and mobile engineers.
Property management company and owner of the Covent Garden Estate in London, Capco, first appointed Wates FM as its M&E specialist during phase two of the development of Lillie Square, an exclusive residential development in Fulham. This extension marks the start of the next stage of the partnership and will see Wates providing M&E works and maintenance for the buildings’ communal areas.
Avison Young, a global commercial real estate firm, has appointed Wates FM to provide M&E, water and fire services, and maintenance to three new UK sites, in addition to the four already managed by Wates FM.
Wates FM Managing Director, James Gregg, says: “After the challenges of 2020, being able to begin 2021 with three new contracts with three great partners has been the best possible start. It’s fitting reward for the efforts and dedication of our teams in such difficult circumstances.”
Wates FM, wates.co.uk
EATON’S POWER DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGY SELECTED FOR NEW EV PLATFORM
Power management company, Eaton, has announced its eMobility business has secured a contract to supply power distribution units (PDUs) and Bussmann series fuses to a global vehicle manufacturer for use in a new battery electric (BEV) light-duty commercial vehicle. The PDUs are scalable in design to be applied to a wide range of future vehicles within the portfolio.
PDUs, also known as junction boxes or fuse boxes, connect the main battery power to the rest of the vehicle, similar to how a home service panel connects the main power source to each of the branch circuits in the house. While distributing power through the vehicle, the PDUs deliver a safety function by providing circuit protection.
Eaton’s eMobility team leveraged its extensive electrical expertise to design a functional and cost-effective product to meet the stringent circuit protection requirements of the vehicle. The PDUs also went through rigorous testing to ensure longterm reliability. Eaton, eaton.com
