Penwortham New Control Room- New Build & Alterations

 

Location:  Penwortham – Preston

Client :      National Grid

Value:       £1.2 m

Duration: Jan 2018 July 2018

 

Lowbury were employed to undertake the refurbishment and alteration to existing 60m x 30 portal framed building into new control centre for NG works included total recladding installation of mezzanine floor redecorated throughout new M&E. Build internal walls new office layout and install new canteen & toilet facilities.

 

This project is one of many schemes undertaken over the past few years for National Grid as a consequence Lowbury retain direct line of communication with one point of contact throughout the entire programme of works.

Our Project Director managed operations and direct communication with the client. They visited the site twice a week, day to day operations were managed by our site manager who had full control of H&S, resources, sub-contractors, quality and programme in turn he was assisted by a foremen who help on the day to day operations, Daily and weekly meetings were performed once a month, the client attended formal site meetings throughout the programme we had the assistance of our own in house Health & Safety Manager.

 

This building had a large amount of unforeseen works ie removal of existing cladding exposed numerous alignment problems with the existing steel. Lowbury worked very closely with the client to eliminate problems providing alterative solutions using special designed expandable brackets which in turn help to align the new cold rolled steel prior to fixing new vertical cladding throughout.

 

Client’s senior management have used this scheme as an exemplar to demonstrate to the whole UK National grid property group that conversion and refurbishment of existing property whilst operations continue has proved to be an efficient and economical solution to their new development strategy requirements, and eliminated additional cost factors such as demotion, in a high risk area and D&B new build.

 

Best practice proved to be as always great communication throughout the Construction process Innovation included team effort to produce a simple quick cost effective way of provide perfect alignment for the finish product by manufacturing  a simple expandable cladding bracket.