MWWFRS, roof mounted solar PV

We were appointed to design, supply, install, test and commission two roof mounted solar PV systems at the Mid And West Wales Fire And Rescue Services’ Headquarters in Carmarthen and the Earlswood Training Centre in Neath. The sites house the fire service headquarters, training centre, and accommodation block, lecture rooms and offices.

Our scope of works included the design, CDM compliance, DNO agreement and connection, site mobilisation and set up, installation, testing and commissioning, handover/user training and ongoing operations and management.

We undertook detailed site surveys including confirming structural soundness of the roof, site orientation, electrical infrastructure, scaffolding requirements and any Health and Safety requirements. We designed each of the sites to the client’s specification and completed DNO applications on behalf of the client to Western Power Distribution. At design stage, we ensured efficient tailoring and design of systems to maximise the potential generation capacity for identified spaces. This ensured that the systems are capable of delivering the greatest return on investment.

At the Service Headquarters we installed a 11kWp PV system consisting of approximately 40 panels. At the Earlswood Training Centre, we installed a 91.8kWp system consisting of approximately 320 panels. Given the critical nature of the sites, we carefully planned the work, ensuring flexibility in our approach to meet the client’s preferences for works phasing.

We reviewed and benchmarked existing energy use, developed a business case for the solution and following installation, took responsibility for testing and commissioning, and quantified the energy savings resulting from the improvement/upgrade including how this was calculated. The systems save 6,609kg CO2 per annum, resulting in a considerable improvement on energy performance management across both sites. Works for this project were completed within four weeks of commencement, including handover.

Irish Water, ground mounted solar PV

We supplied and installed two ground mount Solar PV systems for Irish Water in conjunction with Tipperary County Council, with the works comprising:

Nenagh Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tipperary: a 35kW PV System consisting of 118 PV Modules
Newcastle West Wastewater Treatment Plant in Limerick: a 30kW PV System consisting of 112 PV Modules.

Our team attended pre contract meetings with the client to discuss design and delivery, providing the client with design calculations and drawings prior to commencement for their approval, in addition to offering support during the planning application process.

We designed the project in a way so as to avoid risks and combat them at source, eliminating and reducing identified hazards through design, ensuring the installation was capable of being constructed in a way that was safe, and complied with relevant statutory requirements in all respects.

The scope of works included the DNO agreement and connection, site mobilisation and set up, installation, testing and commissioning, handover/user training and ongoing operations and management. We also liaised with ESB for approvals and connections.

The works were conducted at live sites, during normal working hours. All works were undertaken within the boundary of the site, thus minimising disruptions to residents and businesses of the surrounding area.

We provided yield estimates as part of this project; for the Nenagh site the project will save 15 tonnes of carbon every year and generates 32,000 kWh per year of electricity. For the Newcastle West site, the system generates 26,500 kWh (kilowatt hours) electricity per year which equates to an 11.5 tonnes reduction in carbon emissions annually. In addition, each kWh generated generates savings of approximately €0.15 on electricity usage.

Works were completed within 9 weeks from mobilisation until completion.

Empower Community, domestic solar PV

Empower Community was set up as a Community Enterprise to alleviate fuel poverty by providing free solar energy to tenants in social housing as well as generating profits which are used to fund community energy projects. We provide Operation & Maintenance and reactive Solar PV maintenance services to over 4000 domestic roof-mounted PV systems (2kWp-4kWp) across Peterborough, Northampton, Stockport, Boston, Doncaster, Scunthorpe, Lincoln and Corby.

The community trust also aims to deliver energy benefits in the same geographical areas as the solar projects, to benefit those that do not directly benefit from the free solar panels.

We provide a robust and reliable operations and maintenance service covering the whole of the United Kingdom and Ireland, which includes response maintenance, monitoring, and re-roofing support.

Key services delivered on this contract include Operation and Maintenance services for roof-mounted solar PV systems, health checks for systems that cease to generate or are underperforming, responsive maintenance including immediate emergency intervention for security and safety reasons, remedial repairs and reinstalling components/systems, installation of bird protection, and data gathering/reporting. When undertaking remedial work, we manage the process for obtaining replacement components through warranties, where these are available.

We have a dedicated operation and maintenance team that provide our O&M service. We play a key role in ensuring the project achieves the maximum benefits of the Solar PV scheme, which in turn facilitates further reinvestment.

DAERA, vehicle charging points

We were awarded the contract by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland for the Provision of Public eCar Charge Points at The Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Country Parks. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is responsible for the operation and management of seven Country Parks and approximately 65 Nature Reserves across Northern Ireland.

We successfully tendered for the replacement of the existing public electric car/vehicle charging points with new 7.2kW Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) public electric vehicle charging points at four existing sites – Crawfordsburn Country Park, Ness Country Park, Peatlands Park and Roe Valley Country Park.

We removed the faulty charging points, and designed, supplied and installed replacement Rolec 7.2kw charging points under a lease agreement. Our in-house team completed all electrical, data cabling, earthing works and associated ground works as well as testing, commissioning and handover.

Upon completion we completed the OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme Grant on the client’s behalf, and we are accredited installers under the OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme Grant scheme. Rolec’s data solutions enable us to provide automated quarterly chargepoint consumption reports as required in order to meet eligibility criteria for the OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme Grant. In addition, it provides access to live monitoring of the charge points including charging sessions, socket activity, driver groups, tariffs and billing configuration.

We also provide ongoing maintenance of new charging points for the next five years, with ongoing support to NIEA, as the leasee of the stations, and the general public as the users of the charging stations. The electric car charging points are operated under the NI Public Sector network and operate under the OCPP (a language that allows compliant EV charging points and back-office management systems to communicate seamlessly with one another).

NIHE, M&E Services (Facilities)

We deliver the Mechanical & Electrical Services (Facilities) contracts for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive covering the North and South regions.

The contract includes planned preventive maintenance, inspections, responsive maintenance and repairs operating 24/7/365 in respect of mechanical and electrical (M&E) service installations and equipment in the Housing Executive’s offices and depots located throughout Northern Ireland. We service 48 buildings including a range of housing offices, local district offices, depots and stores across all of Northern Ireland.

The scope covers a wide range of M&E services including electrical systems, emergency lighting, security systems, CCTV systems, PAT testing, alarm systems, fire safety systems, heating systems/boilers, plumbing, air conditioning, gas and oil-fired systems, lightning protection, generators, UPS, roller shutters, TV and satellite systems, smoke ventilation, legionella works and BEMS.

We ensure statutory compliance across a range of assets, including all Mechanical and Electrical systems and equipment, delivering compliance with all relevant statutory requirements and testing and inspection regimes. We also ensure the provision of test/inspection reports via integration with the client’s Orchard HMS IT system.

Our contract SLAs are 1 hour attendance and 24 completion for Immediate Call Out/emergencies, 4 days for urgent requests, and less than 3 weeks for routine requests. Through the contract we monitor all alarm systems 24 hours per day.

There were delays to the procurement process which affected the mobilisation period, pushing it into the start of the winter period. Despite this, we successfully mobilised within a 6-week period, and also transferred employees from the incumbent under TUPE.

NIHE, M&E (High Rise and Hostels)

We deliver a comprehensive Mechanical and Electrical Servicing and Maintenance (Multi Storey Blocks And Homeless Hostels) Contract for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive across Northern Ireland, valued at over £4million.

Through the contract we carry out comprehensive planned servicing/testing/inspection and inclusive preventative/responsive maintenance and repair services to specialist mechanical and electrical (M&E) service installations and equipment to the communal areas of residential high-rise buildings (5 storeys and above), and homeless hostels throughout Northern Ireland.

We deliver a wide range of M&E services including electrical services, periodic inspection and testing, emergency lighting, security systems (intruder alarms, CCTV, door & gate access controlled systems, audio/video door entry intercom systems, panic alarms, and public address systems & induction loops), fire safety systems including fire detection and alarm system, dry risers and portable fire fighting equipment, mechanical systems (hot water heating systems, hot and cold mains water installations, sanitaryware, soils and wastes, smoke control and ventilation systems and air conditioning systems). Other systems maintained extend to Lightning Protection, Television Distribution and Satellite Systems, Portable Appliance Testing, Radio Systems, Safety Fall Protection Systems and uninterruptible power systems (UPS).

Our contract SLAs are 1 hour attendance with 24 hour completion for immediate call out/emergencies, 4 days for urgent requests, and less than 3 weeks for routine requests. Through the contract we monitor all alarm systems 24 hours per day.

We deliver statutory compliance across a range of assets including all Mechanical and Electrical systems and equipment, including compliance with all relevant statutory requirements, testing and inspection regimes and provision of test/inspection reports with integration to the client’s Orchard HMS IT system – ICT integration between our CAFM/works management system and the client’s Orchard HMS has been achieved to facilitate real-time communication and maximise productivity.

Health and Social Care Trusts, Air Conditioning

We provide the Maintenance of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment to Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Western Health and Social Care Trust, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Southern Health and Social Care Trust. The Trusts are responsible for health and social care services in Northern Ireland.

The services delivered include the repair and maintenance of Air Conditioning Equipment, Planned maintenance including servicing and provision of condition reports, 24/7 reactive repairs, remedial maintenance including proactive repairs to improve equipment performance, and Minor works including installations, refurbishments, and additions.

We have successfully delivered the inspection, maintenance and repairs of air conditioning units, heat recovery units, air handling units, chiller units and cleaning of supply and extract ductwork across multiple sites with a wide range of appliances.

Works are completed across a range of occupied public buildings including hospitals and health centres, as well as offices, estates and facilities. At these sites we work across a range of safety critical environments including emergency care, acute medical emergencies, intensive care, theatre services and mental health services.

To achieve successful contract delivery, we provide a highly skilled and professional workforce, a safe and sustainable service model, with sufficient and effective use of resources to achieve stringent key performance indicators. We provide 24/7/365 response maintenance and helpdesk support to achieve 4-hour emergency response call-outs and same day/next day responses for non-emergency repairs. We also operate bespoke working practices for the health care environment, given the critical care environment. We continued working throughout the pandemic including assisting with the mobilisation of extra ward space across various NHS facilities and working to this day within red zone areas.

Clanmil Housing, Fire Alarm Maintenance

We were awarded the contract for Periodic Inspection, Servicing, Maintenance and Repair of Fire Alarm and Emergency Lighting Installations for Clanmil Housing Association, Abbeyfield and Wesley Housing Association, Connswater Homes, Habinteg Housing Association (Ulster), Craigowen Housing Association, North Belfast Housing Association and Arbour Housing to meet their obligations as social landlords.

The scope of works comprises periodic servicing, inspection, testing and certification, routine maintenance, response maintenance (including 24/7/365 emergency call-outs), void property works and mutual exchanges, major works consisting of upgrading, installation or renewals, call handling, and technical inspections.

We provide works across a range of fire alarm/detection systems, emergency lighting installations, firefighting equipment, sprinkler systems, dry risers, automatic smoke vents, and disabled refuge intercom systems to communal areas of social housing & HMO blocks, sheltered schemes, commercial self-contained and communal properties, and commercial offices at over 210 sites across Northern Ireland. As part of the contract, we have also delivered fire alarm installations and renewals across a number of sheltered/supported living schemes.

Our procedures for working in occupied properties focus on protecting tenants and minimising risks/disruption, with this element of the works crucial given the nature of supported living sites. Our contract management ethos focuses planning, programming, resourcing, supply chain management, quality control, client/tenant liaison, and the provision of all asset data and certification. As principal contractor we are responsible for ensuring workmanship standards and adherence to health and safety regulations, being responsible each element of delivery, including planning, managing, monitoring, testing and commissioning, reporting and providing certification.