Dundee City Council - Emergency Lighting Upgrade Works inc. Central Battery Unit

Client/Site: Dundee City Council / Caird Hall, Dundee
Project duration: 6 months
Project value: £250,000.00 (Within budget)
Completion date: November 2022
Main Contractor: E.W Edwardson Electrical Contractors Ltd
Trades/ Sub-Contractors involved: Joiners & Cabinet Makers (Oastlers Dundee Ltd), Steel Fabricators (P&G Ltd Dundee), Specialist Centralised Systems (Ventilux UK Ltd)

Brief project description: 

E.W Edwardson Electrical Contractors are proud of their involvement in the recent emergency lighting upgrade works and associated central battery system carried out at The Caird Hall, located in the City Centre of Dundee. This is a flagship building that is known to many locals.

The scope of works included.

Identifying and tracing out existing emergency lighting wiring systems, investigation works and reporting to ensure the electrical design set out by Dundee City Councils internal design team of architects and engineers was feasible, taking cognizance of the listed building status and access constraints.

The installation of containment services throughout the attic areas and under mount was achieved to provide concealed emergency lighting routes to carry multiple MICC’s and allowing Dundee City Council flexibility of the space should it be required in the future.

New emergency lighting was installed at both high and low level, being monitored, and controlled by state-of-the-art technology and monitoring units throughout. Each luminaire was wired back to a centralised system, located in a designated battery facility on the ground floor which was fitted out entirely by our own electricians to include cooling systems, sub-distribution, and dedicated services.

All emergency luminaires were labelled with their own reference and circuit for clarity then marked up on as fitted drawings for the project completion pack.

The entire system was tested, commissioned and appropriate documentation completed by our electrical team.

This project involved sub-contractors from our approved supplier list, Engaging and programming;
Steel works for supporting stands in conjunction with Steel Fabricators (P&G Ltd Dundee),
Wooden back plates, specifically designed with an ogee edge to compliment the installation and building in conjunction with Joiners and Cabinet Makers (Oastlers Dundee Ltd),

Final Commissioning by Ventilux UK Ltd

Project Challenges: 

The primary challenge with this project was cable routes and access points for the electrical installation of the new emergency lighting, taking cognizance of the listed building status. The confined spaces under the gallery and upper circle were floored to ensure a safe working area for all operatives and a specific risk assessment was carried out to put in place appropriate measures, allowing the project to be completed in a safe manner.

We were faced with secondary cost challenges due to the procurement of materials and delivery timescales; this was overcome by our internal buyer who worked tirelessly to ensure quality materials were onsite to avoid delays.

With the Caird Hall being based at the heart of the City Centre, hosting the most recent COVID-19 Vaccination Centre and many major events, the upgrade works were programmed around building operations and scheduled events. This required constant liaison with Leisure and Culture representatives (operational client) to ensure that essential services such as lighting and power remained throughout to ensure continued operations.

Combined with the area itself and the 16m ceilings we also required close communication to ensure that areas were cordoned off correctly, ensuring clear and safe areas of working with the use of portable scaffolding and MEWPS.

We are pleased to report that all challenges were overcome thanks to close communication between ourselves and the project management team.

Project Conclusion and Client Collaboration: 

The project was completed within the allocated timeframe with approximately 8 electrical operatives onsite at all times. Our valuations were approved by the client following weekly progress meetings and compliance documentation handed over on time, this included New Emergency Lighting Installation Certificate, Location of Equipment Sheets for all emergency luminaires and as fitted drawings identifying all established routes and luminaires.

We are pleased to advise that all of this and more has been achieved to ensure a state of the art, life safety system was handed over to our clients at Dundee City Council, on time and in budget.