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C A B L E M A N A G E M E N T
Cutting edge operation
Despite the £billions ploughed into improving public services over the past 10 years, managing the
budget continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing NHS Trusts up and down the country.
There can be no compromise in standards of patient care, so looking more holistically at ways in
which they can manage their assets more effectively to achieve greater efficiency has become an
important route to better financial health for many Trusts.
I
n west Hertfordshire, a the client requires a ‘business- M&E contractor, Connect 2, was wire cable tray on numerous “While we were working on and the cost of the installation.”
history of financial deficit as-usual’ approach to managing given free rein to select the most previous installations, Connect 2 installation of the containment
going back to the early a site while construction work appropriate containment chose to select the product for in York the pods were erected Building for the future
1990s led to a reported takes place, even with creative solutions to fit the brief and the this project too. The choice was on a floor by floor basis,” With the pods pre-fabricated
deficit of £26.8m in 2005/6 scheduling of works, some company specified Cablofil steel not only dictated by the level of explains Phil. “This meant that and the containment all
with a total accumulated deficit disruption is inevitable. For wire tray as the quickest and, product quality and the wide we were able to complete all the completed before any
at just over £41m. One of the Watford General Hospital therefore the most cost-efficient, choice of brackets and containment work for each floor construction work began on site
main contributing factors to this however, the design and build method of cable containment accessories available from before moving onto the next. All in Watford, disruption to
deficit was inefficiencies caused scheme was developed so that available. This was used to Cablofil, but by Connect 2’s we had to remember was to patients and staff at Watford
by duplicating services across a the whole AAU Department contain the building’s voice, confidence in the supplier’s ensure that there were breaks in General Hospital has been kept
number of hospital sites. This construction programme data, security, fire alarm and sub stock and logistics operation. the containment at the same to a minimum throughout the
financial situation and a drive to entailed as little disruption as mains cabling alongside “An essential part of the brief point as the divisions in the project. The Connect 2 team
improve patient services led to a possible because the building trunking and conduit on this job was completing the pods so that each floor could be followed the build to Watford
decision to centralise some was built not in Watford......but containment for the unit’s installation on time and within broken down into pods and when the pods were transported
services onto a single site. in York. general power requirements. budget,” Phil continues. “Our transported to Watford quickly and reassembled in their
Meanwhile, an ambitious NHS Using modular construction “The electrical services wholesaler Edmundsons and easily.” permanent home in April. All
rebuilding programme means a techniques, main contractor, required in a modern health maintain high stock levels of Cablofil was installed as that remained for the contractor
new hospital will be completed Yorkon, pre-fabricated the facility setting are complex,” Cablofil tray and we knew that vertical risers to carry services was the installation of all wiring
at Watford General Hospital in department as 164 individual comments Phil Blackburn from we could get anything we throughout the building and on and this meant that services
2014/2015. ‘pods’ with all the main fit out Connect 2. “As labour is often needed to site quickly and easily. each floor the tray was installed were up and running by early
The new AAU department work pre-installed before the the biggest cost associated with That makes it easier to schedule in the ceiling voids. Connect 2 September, leaving the way
(Acute Admissions Unit) at the units were transported to any electrical installation, work and guarantee installation was able to standardise the clear for final fixes and finishes
hospital is a key element of both Watford. Once they arrived in specifying a product that times.” product used despite a variety of and commissioning of the
the centralisation programme Watford in early April, all that reduces the time the electrical differing ceiling void depths building.
and the redevelopment of the remained was for the contractor needs to spend on Off site solution simply by adjusting how high “It’s been quite an odd way to
Watford Health Campus. Due to construction team to bolt them site can dramatically reduce While the building was to be they set the runs of cable using work on a project,” Phil adds,
open to patients in March 2009, together on site and complete costs. In our experience, wire made up of 164 individual pods, Cablofil brackets. “but it has made a lot of sense in
the department has been the final fixes and finishes. tray can reduce the time taken to these were open plan structures, “Because we were using particular for the Trust. In fact,
developed using modular install the cable management each measuring 3.3m in width, Cablofil tray to install a variety of the Trust is already thinking of
construction techniques that Fast and flexible system by around a third, as that are fitted together as entire services, we needed to install commissioning an extension for
have not only ensured To carry though the time savings compared to perforated steel floors rather than distinct four runs of tray throughout,” the new building – and it’s not
minimised disruption to the and financial efficiencies tray. What’s more, because the rooms. As a result, installation Phil continues. “We were able to even open yet. The good news is
Watford Health Campus whilst achieved by using modular product is so flexible and can be of the steel wire tray had to be install all four runs side by side that using a flexible system like
construction was underway, but construction techniques, the cut, bent and fixed on site, the completed to reflect the within the ceiling voids using a Cablofil steel wire tray means
have also reduced the time and containment for the electrical contractor doesn’t have to factor scheme’s finished layout whilst single Cablofil bracket. This not making changes to the
financial investment required to installation was also completed in any additional time for delays taking into consideration the only made our life easier and containment to accommodate
build this essential new facility. off site in York. There were two while we wait for bespoke joins need to transport the pods from ensured a nice, neat job, it changes to the building will be
M&E consultants working on the or angles to be prefabricated,” York to Watford where they also saved time on site which, one of the most straightforward
Pod cast scheme, EDP for Yorkon and Phil continued. would be assembled and joined once again, had a positive elements of any future extension
In most circumstances, when DSSR for the Trust, however, the Having used Cablofil steel together. impact on both the scheduling project.”
22 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JUNE 2009
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