Specialist off-site fabrication for the new £14m Don Valley ‘All-Through to 16 academy’ school in Sheffield is halving the time it takes to carry out elements of the M&E works. G&H Fabrication took just three weeks to build, test, deliver and install the majority of the main plant room instead of six weeks if the work was carried out on site. The main pipework headers and pump sets, which were mounted on a skid, were manufactured in the purpose built fabrication welding facility at G&H Group’s new headquarters in Yorkshire.
G&H Group secured the contract with BAM Construction as part of the development that will offer 1,200 places for children on the former Don Valley athletics stadium. Pre-construction Director at G&H Group David Davis, said: “The benefits of off-site pre-fabrication are vast; although significant, it’s not just about speeding up the process.
“Fabricating in our sterile, controlled, indoor facility means we are able to increase the productivity and quality while maintaining a safe environment.
“Our engineers can access the work area without the hindrance of walls and structural steelwork and then test it, make any adjustments there and then and test again prior to dispatch to site. “A major advantage for construction companies is that we can spend less time on site so we are freeing up space for other trades and reducing congestion. “We delivered the pre-manufactured skid to the Don Valley site when it was needed and planned it meticulously to minimise disruption and maximise efficiency. “The skid was fitted with wheels to allow it to be wheeled into position through the building after which the builder closed up the external wall which had been left out for our installation team.”
The new facility will include a secondary school, primary school and a central events hub.
