Case studies

What Did The Job Involve?

The project involved the fit-out of shell and core ground floor space of a multi-storey residential development, into a Medical Centre in the heart of Haringey. The fit-out scope included: Internal partitions, doors, suspended and MF Ceilings, structural steelwork, floor finishes, reception area and desk, mechanical and electrical installations, NHS Data Systems, Infection control, Minor Surgery Treatment Rooms, Fixtures and Fittings, Fixed Furniture, Medical FF&E

What Were The Challenges?

The project was a full footprint development. The site was constrained by a footpath to 2 sides, a residential development to the rear and LuL exclusion zone to the other side of the building. This meant that there was no space for any site accommodation and welfare. Being a city centre site, the access to the building was particularly challenging. The only access to and from the site was via the patient entrance doors and a secondary doctor’s entrance. There was a no loading zone to the footpath and the road had a bus lane between 7am and 10:30am. This meant that all deliveries had to be carefully scheduled and the foot path had to remain open at all times. The delivery loads had to be sized in a way that they could be unloaded and distributed into the building. An additional challenge that was encountered on this project was the incorporation of the base builders needed to insulate the first-floor slab soffit. The programme and sequence of works had to change to allow for this works to be undertaken at the same time as the floor to ceiling partitions and the high-level Mechanical and Electrical 1st fix was being installed. The management of the programme and on-site coordination had to be adaptable to allow for the third party works to be carried out in conjunction with the project contractors. All parties had equal access and the amount of disruption to the fit out works kept to a minimum, whilst not effecting the completion of the residential units above.

Beardwell’s Added Value

Throughout the project we supported the local community. A community display board was erected within the on-site welfare. This board highlighted local businesses, charities and health & wellbeing services. we feel that it is important to encourage the local business, as this benefits the local economy, as well as helping to protect the local environment.

What Did The Job Involve?

As the incumbent contractor operating under QMUL’s MTC, we were initially asked to remodel parts of the 3rd floor before being commissioned to fit out new laboratories and refurbish the central corridor and ancillary rooms.

The works involved the transformation of offices into laboratories and the refurbishment and upgrade of remaining areas.This required the provision of new MEP installations throughout including new gas, mechanical ventilation and heating together with water and electrical supplies serving laboratory and ‘write up areas’.

A new fire alarm was installed along with over 300 new data cables linking the floor to both NHS and University servers. New finishes were provided to ceilings, walls and floors plus the whole of the area was redecorated. Finally, laboratory furniture including fume cupboards were installed.

What Were The Challenges?

The greatest challenge to the construction team was to ensure little or no disruption was caused by our operations to the Science Centre and that it remained fully operational throughout the construction process. Individual rooms were released on a progressive basis meaning that workflow was fragmented. This presented challenges in terms of logistics, particularly regarding access to working areas and storage of materials. Being a ‘live area’, noise and dust had to be strictly controlled.

The working day was divided into night and day shifts, with the former allowing us an opportunity to enter occupied rooms to upgrade air conditioning and fire detection systems. This thereby avoided disruption to the day to day activities of the University.

Detailed risk assessments were undertaken in collaboration with the University and BCL staff. These recognised the special conditions of working in a live research environment, setting standards and protocols to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the building’s occupants and our own operatives.

Material storage areas were limited and deliveries therefore required careful planning. To avoid disruption, materials and components were brought into the building either early in the morning or after hours .

Beardwell’s Added Value

In order to manage the interface with Research Staff and Students we held a weekly meeting with the client to report on progress and to outline activities planned for the forthcoming period.

Extensive validation surveys were undertaken to establish the integrity of the existing services and to determine their suitability for the proposed upgrade.

What Did The Job Involve?

What Were The Challenges?

Beardwell’s Added Value

What Did The Job Involve?

This project for the NHS at Clacton Hospital required the conversion of an existing administration building into a new renal unit. Although the structure of the building was sound, it needed a significant upgrade to meet current stringent building regulations – especially Part L (conservation of fuel and power).

To achieve this, we removed the existing roof covering and replaced it with a new composite insulated panels. This required the adaption of the steel frame to suit the new panel sizes. Existing doors and windows were replaced with new double-glazed units. Cavity walls were injected with cavity insulation, and the existing floor was overlaid with insulation and new timber.

The drainage system below ground needed to be extensively reconfigured. New drain runs were bored below the existing raft slab to limit any damage to the structure or integrity of the existing slab. The existing heating system was removed and replaced with a new air conditioning system. This provided heating, cooling and new hot and cold-water services installed for later connection to the renal appliances.

We also put in a complete new electrical installation including new power, lighting, voice, data, security, access control and fire alarm systems. The facility is finished internally to a high standard including with new hardwood joinery, veneer faced doors, new suspended ceilings, vinyl floors and professional decoration.

What Were The Challenges?

The main challenge was working within an existing building on a live healthcare site. This involved careful liaison with hospital staff. It was only after the strip out phase that the extent of the existing structure could be ascertained. A quick response was required from our steelwork sub-contractor to ensure that the project was not delayed.

The timeframe for the project was tight and careful programme management had to be applied.

Beardwell’s Added Value

An extensive VE exercise was completed during the project and by working closely with the design team the project was delivered within budget.

We employed our own team of direct operatives including apprentices which helped ensure that the project completed on time.

What Did The Job Involve?

This project involved the refurbishment of Laindon Ward, the construction of a new link and a New Build Two Storey ‘Frailty’ Ward in the centre of Basildon Hospital.

The new buildings were comprised piled foundations, structural steel frame, trespa and timber cladding and a coloured render.

The new Fraility Ward will be used to treat elderly adult patients. On the ground floor there are 10 bed spaces, along with office accommodation, reception and a therapy area.

What Were The Challenges?

Following commencement of the project the design of the new build element of the project was entirely revised. Numerous changes were incorporated including revisions to foundations, the steel frame and consequently mechanical and electrical designs.

Due to the location of the building within the hospital grounds access was extremely difficult with only a narrow entrance to the working area.

The majority of the work was undertaken adjacent to live wards meaning careful planning and programming were required.

Beardwell’s Added Value

We worked with the project team to initiate changes that would aid the project programme and cost.

Local labour and sub-contractors were used throughout the project.

Two apprentices were used on the project.