Case Study: Education
Completed: September 2022
Client: Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Sector: Education
Budget: £239,500
Services Used
- MEP Design & Installation
- Project Management
- Renewables
- Alarms
Brookside Primary School – Increased Energy Efficiency.
Site
Brookside Primary School, High Lane, Stockport. The project ran between April and October 2022, with main works occurring while the school was closed during pupil holidays.
Project Objectives:
The school wished to substantially increase the energy efficiency of the building by updating the heating system, increasing its control and efficiency. They also wished to add solar thermal panels to the roof to supplement hot water heating.
The current fire and intruder alarm systems were old, problematic and not to the current legislation; both needed replacing.
Contract Arrangements:
The Meel Group Projects division was the principal contractor on this project. Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council awarded us the contract through tender, based on price and a solid social value score. Meel Group also has a proven track record with SMBC for delivering high-standard school refurbishments.
Project Challenges:
The project planning had to enable the work to be completed within six weeks when the school was closed for summer.
We nominated a site manager from the Meel Group to be responsible for overseeing this Mechanical & Electrical project.
As the existing facilities were stripped back, the process revealed unforeseen issues with the room’s structure. Our project manager solved the problems and kept the project on its schedule. He also managed the sub-contractors.
Scope of Works:
Electrical
The existing fire alarm system was removed, and a new system was installed throughout the school buildings.
Similarly, the old intruder alarm system was removed and replaced with a modern alternative.
Mechanical
Point-of-use hot water heaters were installed in the classrooms and WCs with related new water distribution.
A new ventilation system, consisting of fans and ducting, was also installed, and new heating controls were added to all existing fans.
The existing BMS panel was upgraded, and with renewable energy as part of the school’s plan, a solar thermal plant was installed along with solar thermal roof panels.
New radiators and associated pipework were installed to further improve the efficiency of the school’s heating system.
Skills:
- Project Management
- M&E Design
- Engineering
- Pipefitters
- Laggers
- Solar Thermal Engineering
- BMS Specialist Engineers
- BMS engineers
- Joiners
- Fire Alarm Engineers
- Intruder Alarm Engineers
Project Challenges:
The roof where the Solar Thermal panels were to be located was not able to carry the weight of the panels and ballasts. Working in combination with SMBC structural engineer, we installed an additional structural subframe, enabling the roof to take the weight of the solar thermal panels.
Health & Safety:
As the principal contractor, we take out H&S responsibilities very seriously. We employed asbestos specialists to help with fixing works in previously identified hazardous areas. Working at heights was carried out safely, in accordance with our RAMs.
Results:
The project was completed successfully on budget and within the given time frame. The client and school were very impressed with the quality of the work and results.
