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[ Project focus: The Shard ]


Mace is on target to complete the shell and core by May 2012


Much of this technology will be controlled via a building


management system (BMS). DMS Controls won the contract to design, install and confi gure The Shard’s BMS and its director, Nick Seaton, comments: ‘This is a fascinating project, and the highlight for me has been seeing how effective pre-fabrication has been. All of our control panels, graphics system and software have been confi gured off-site which, in turn, has reduced our commissioning time. Most of our installation works have been carried out with “single” visits to any specifi c area.’


Ready, willing and cable A building of this size uses a huge amount of cable and Industrial Power Solutions (IPS) is charged with all the cable pulling requirements. IPS is installing products from Prysmian Cables & Systems, which won the contract to supply more than £1m of electrical cables into The Shard. Connolly explains: ‘We have appointed Prysmian, as their


cables have BASEC and LPCB approvals. We also wanted all the electrical cables to come from one manufacturer to give consistency – one that could offer more than just cables, one that could offer components such as glands and cleats.’ Project director at IPS, Terry Whyman, adds: ‘The building


will be fi tted with Prysmian’s Fire Performance FP600 cable, Afumex low smoke zero halogen cables and medium voltage cables.’ Currently working around the clock, six days a week, Mace


is on target to complete the shell and core work by May 2012, prior to the start of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With fi t-out design already in hand, tenants should be able to move in later that year. The fi nal word goes to Stephen Jeffery, who concludes: ‘I


fi rmly believe that many of the initiatives we have used on The Shard represent the future for the construction industry. It’s a fantastic project to be involved with especially since it will have such a positive impact on the surrounding area.’


A tall order


2009 ■ February – A mobile crane and a small piling rig appeared onsite.


■ Early March – The crane began putting steel beams into the ground as part of preparations for the core of the building.


■ 16 March – Full construction began. ■ May – Demolition work on the New London Bridge House started.


2010 ■ March – The Shard’s concrete core was rising steadily at approximately 3m a day.


■ Mid-June – The construction was almost level with the top of Guy’s Hospital, which stands at 143m.


■ 25 May – The fi rst glass panel was installed. ■ Mid-November – The third core reached Level 68 – approximately 235m high – with steel reaching Level 40, and cladding enveloping a third of the building.


■ Late November – The Shard passed the 235m mark, relieving One Canada Square in Canary Wharf of its 18-year reign as Britain’s tallest building.


2011 ■ January – The installation of hydraulic screens took place. These are used to form the concrete fl oors that are needed for the hotel and apartment section of the tower.


■ Late February – The concrete fl oors had risen to Level 46, with a fl oor being poured on average every week.


■ May – Cladding had enveloped half the building’s exterior and pouring of the concrete fl oors reached Level 57.


I fi rmly believe that many of the initiatives we have used on The Shard represent the future for the construction industry


About the author


Rob Shepherd Rob Shepherd is a freelance journalist and regular contributor to ECA Today who has worked in the electrical contracting industry for more than 10 years.


July 2011 ECA Today 33


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