Member Article

Off-site innovation keeps school project on track

As construction of a major new education facility in Stockton moves on apace, innovative off-site modularisation of the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing services is proving invaluable in keeping the £11 million scheme on schedule.

Situated on an eight-acre site, the new Ingleby Manor Free School and Sixth Form (Ingleby Manor School), which is being constructed by main contractor BAM Construction, is the first project that leading national engineering specialist SES Engineering Services (SES) has fast-tracked using its impressive off-site capability, turning a 16-month project around in just six months.

Ingleby Manor School, in partnership with The Schools Partnership Trust, is currently operating out of temporary accommodation and has 210 students on roll. However, this number will increase to 750 over the next five years, bringing much needed additional school places to the local vicinity.

Tasked with delivering a project against an unusually short time-frame whilst at the same time ensuring it will complete in time for the new academic year starting in September, SES has utilised its cutting edge off-site manufacturing facility, SES PRISM extensively, saving 1,000 man-hours on site.

As BAM’s team commenced construction, SES PRISM not only manufactured bespoke combined mechanical and electrical modular units, it also produced a plantroom skid which was fully installed in the building’s external ground floor plant room, well before the engineer’s arrival on site.

While on site, SES is adding true social value to the project by not only using the local supply chain at every possible opportunity but also by working closely with the local authority to give work placements to the unemployed. This demonstration of the company’s attitude towards its corporate social responsibility has led to one temporary member of staff being offered a permanent position.

SES is providing a complete range of services at Ingleby Manor School including IT, fire alarms, access control, ventilation, insulation, building management system controls, DX cooling and underfloor heating.

Speaking about the exciting project, SES’s regional director for the North East and Yorkshire, Steve Joyce said: “When BAM appointed us to this scheme we were fully aware that there was a need for speed when it came to designing and installing the essential building services. Our extensive knowledge and understanding of the end user’s needs on projects of this type, coupled with our PRISM capability, have ensured that we have been able to implement a fast-track approach which is truly paying off, as the scheme heads towards completion.

“In addition to the time-saving benefits in man-hours afforded by working off-site, our ‘build before we build’ approach brings further benefits with reductions in both cost and site waste. As things stand, we are on target to complete and meet the anticipated handover date in August.”

According to principal, David Willard, moving in to the new building will allow the school to enrich its already extensive curriculum even further, particularly in subjects such as engineering, computing, sports and science. Speaking positively about the construction experience he said: “This is an immensely exciting time in the development of our school. Working with BAM and SES and the rest of the build team has been an extremely positive experience so far and one I am confident will continue through to completion.

“Students have been actively involved with the project with weekly site visits and I’m sure, once we move into the new building, those visits will mean much more to them as they take ownership of such a modern environment where their learning will be further enhanced, thanks to the superb new facilities.”

Currently on site at six other education projects, SES is further making its mark on the region’s education sector. All six schools which are in Alnwick, Bedlington, Seaham, Hetton le Hole, Longbenton and Guisborough are being delivered under the Government’s Priority School Building Programme, and are all due for completion soon.

SES recently became the first Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health Services contractor (MEP) to achieve BRE Accredited BIM Level 2 Business Certification, one month ahead of the government’s public sector project compliance deadline.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Bosnyak .