Member Article

SPIE UK Goes Underground with BT Tunnels

BT has awarded SPIE UK a contract for upgrade works on 23km of its networking tunnels. Enhancements to the underground channels, which carry cabling forming the base of BT’s central communications infrastructure, will save BT approximately £1.5m and remove 3500 tonnes of CO2 from its carbon footprint.

SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, was commissioned to work on two projects: Environmental Ventilation & Humidity Control (completed) and Building Management System & Controls (due for completion in 2017). The two assignments, worth a combined £3.3m, have seen SPIE provide BT with cost planning and risk management consultancy alongside design and technical management. As part of the work, the Building Services team has been working alongside its Central Engineering and Design Department to optimise service delivery.

The Building Management System and Controls portion of the contract distinctively requires SPIE to design a bespoke control system to reduce energy, improve the lifecycle of plant and technical equipment and warn of flood potential.

Separately, the Environmental Ventilation & Humidity Control included the installation of a new supply and extraction ventilation system as well as cooling devices with dehumidification equipment to remove condensation and moisture from the air. The upgraded solutions will directly interface with existing fire and control systems.

In 2011 SPIE began its relationship with BT, the nation’s leading communications company, and as a result of the current tunnel works, BT has approached SPIE to undertake a review of its tunnelling system in Edinburgh.

The relationship with BT is an Engineering-led open book arrangement, which was negotiated directly with the organisation. George Adams, SPIE UK’s Director of Energy and Engineering commented: “The BT Tunnel contract and SPIE’s relationship with BT is founded upon innovation and engineering quality, supported by an outstanding project management process. This latest project exemplifies where SPIE can bring value from its technical and management capability to establish a more collaborative client relationship.”

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