Office upgrade for MK recycling team

Ashe Construction asked SJD to provide electrical and data services for the refurbishment of a two-storey office block at Milton Keynes Council’s materials recycling treatment and waste transfer station in Wolverton.

The project was designed to help the Council meet its aim to ‘provide the right buildings, in the right location and condition to meet their future service delivery needs’.

Apart from small repairs, the block hadn’t received any upgrades since 1993, and the works have made the building more energy efficient and enabled the Council to relocate its environmental team.

SJD was responsible for the electrical design all the way through to commissioning. Following intrusive surveys, the team found efficient solutions to maintain services for building users while the work took place and ensured there were no clashes.

The work included updates and electrical provision for new energy efficient LED lighting with absence and presence detection. New self-test emergency lighting was installed throughout all areas and upgrades to the mains distribution board, which then supplies split load metered lighting. Power boards were installed on each floor to serve the office space, and a split load metered mechanical distribution board, split for each floor was included. A new single phase distribution board was installed within the ground floor server room as a later addition to the project as the existing was not suitable.

Ben Walker, Ashe’s contracts manager, said: “SJD have been very proactive and helpful throughout the project with input during the tender and assistance with value engineering, to working alongside the existing electrical design consultants to develop and deliver their installations.

“The team onsite have been great and ably led by SJD’s senior contracts manager. His knowledge and experience has been really beneficial to the project, dealing with existing issues and finding timely solutions. SJD continue to deliver on site and have been able to assist our site manager in completing the project on time.”

Heating panels and heat recovery units were incorporated throughout the building along with extractor fans, hand dryers, electric showers and disabled alarm system.

Following the intrusive surveys, SJD identified that the existing fire alarm installation was non-compliant and undertook the full design and installation of a new addressable fire alarm, ensuring door access and lift interfaces were installed to release in the event of fire, bringing them in line with current safety standards.

SJD has upgraded the power for an existing lift providing access to the first floor which has offices, a meeting room, kitchen/canteen area, break out space with TV outlet, and a large education room that can be divided into two spaces each with independent air conditioning and TV outlets. In the offices, each workstation was provided with a twin socket and data outlet.

SJD’s managing director, Ruth Devine, MBE said: “We’re delighted to have been working right on our doorstep to provide the electrical services for this project.  The improved facilities will make a big difference to those delivering important services for our local community.”