Perth & Kinross Council - Wi-Fi upgrade works and installation of Promethean Smart panels

Client/Site: Perth and Kinross Council, Blairgowrie High School
Project duration: 3 months
Project value: £160,000.00 (Schedule of Rates Contract)
Completion date: November 2022
Main Contractor: E.W Edwardson Electrical Contractors Ltd
Trades/ Sub-Contractors involved: Joiners (G.A Davidson Alyth), Data Specialists (Alcuma), ICFS (Fire and Security Specialists), Air Conditioning Specialist (Chillforce). Painting and Decorating Specialist (Pankhurst Decorators), Site Cleaning Specialist (CM Cleaning)

Brief project description:

E.W Edwardson Electrical Contractors are proud of their involvement in the recent Wi-Fi upgrade works and associated installation of Promethean Smart panels carried out at various schools across the Perth and Kinross Council estate, this is one of the bigger projects carried out on this contract and was much appreciated by staff and pupils alike.

The scope of works included.

Identifying and tracing out existing cable routes and containment systems to ascertain which were suitable to be used on project and which would need either upgraded or installed as new, while adhering to the electrical design set out by Perth and Kinross Councils internal design team of architects and engineers.

The installation of containment services throughout the building and undercroft were installed to allow the installation of new data cabling and power cabling to provide a full Wi-Fi system via 120 Wireless Access Points to achieve a Wi-Fi signal, which had been surveyed prior to works commencing, to allow all building users access to the network from all areas of the building.

New containment and promethean panels were installed in 60 classrooms throughout the building allowing teachers and pupils a brand-new interactive way of teaching. Our electricians installed new power sockets on new dado trunking which was designed to be practical and functional within each classroom for use of new promethean smart panels.

Each classroom has a different structural make up and fitting new promethean panels was done using PKC structural engineers’ drawings. Our joinery sub-contractor GA Davidson would manufacture and install new wooden structures specially designed to withstand any additional weight distribution required for new promethean panels. Once structures were installed our painting and decorating specialist would paint them to specification before we would install containment and panels in conjunction with our specialist data installer who are promethean approved installers.

Door access systems were required on IT Rooms and were installed by our specialist Fire and Security contractor. One IT room which was particularly warm required ACU installed by our Air Conditioning specialist.

Project Challenges:

The primary challenge with this project was cable routes and access points for the electrical installation and new Wi-Fi installation taking cognizance of the different age and makeup of parts of the building. The structural design of the building was always at the forefront of our minds along with the possibility of asbestos being present due to age of installation. A specific risk assessment was carried out to put in place appropriate measures, allowing the project to be completed in a safe manner. These works were also carried out during COVID and our specialist on site cleaning contractor worked tirelessly to make sure all operatives and building users were always safe.

During these works our on-site foreman, who is fully SSSTS trained, maintained good communication with all parties on site to ensure every part of the team worked seamlessly and in conjunction with each other.
Since the building was fully operational with staff and pupils out with the school holiday period the site hours were altered where required to avoid disruption to the day to day running of the school.
Any work areas were returned to how they had been before any works before being handed back to the school daily.

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 6 electrical operatives onsite at all times along with any required sub-contractors. Our valuations were approved by the client following weekly progress meetings and compliance documentation handed over on time and within budget at the end of the project, this included Electrical Installation Certificate, data cable test schedules and As-Fitted drawings.

We are pleased to advise that all of this and more has been achieved to ensure the school has a state-of-the-art teaching facility and any feedback we received from staff/ pupils on site was glowing as well as from the client PKC.