Interserve Project Services combined forces with operator United Kingdom Detention Services and the supply chain from their established and successful PFI Prisons workstream to design, construct and operate this facility. An open culture with good team working relationships throughout the supply chain was a key ingredient in devising solutions to meet the very challenging programme.
Specific techniques employed included:
- Design utilising small fire compartments and maximising use of non combustible materials (steel, plasterboard) to mitigate fire risk when in use.
- Full visibility/training of the equipment/systems for our operator, especially during the commissioning stages enabled rapid ramp up/training of operational capability.
- Modular building technique utilising pre-fabricated accommodation units.
- Mitigation of risk/resource constraint by using three modular unit suppliers.
- Creation of all weather site access with "black" top site access roads
- Creation and management of a 3 metre wide sterile zone around the perimeter of the building to enable rapid access and installation of the subsequent trades/services.
- Creation of pre-fabricated "lift in plant rooms".
Result:
A successful project, delivered to time offering a high level of operational functionality.
Benefits:
Certainty of delivery against a very demanding programme.
Whole life cost solution which optimises operational and capital costs.
A high level of functionality including:
- Protection of building services from wanton damage
- Ease of maintenance of building services
- Mitigation of fire risk
- Provision for a wide range of ages and groups (single people, families' male and female).
Lessons Learned:
A formal lessons learned process was undertaken to create a platform for future improvements with more than forty worthwhile points emerging.
