New Roof Extension Project – Completed 2021

Distribution

A new sub main cable was installed and connected to the buildings busbar system. This feeds Three new Schneider distributions boards (Lighting, Power & Mechanical) all complete with MID approved metering.

Containment

We installed separate containment systems for the LV, ICT and fire alarm wiring. Co-ordinated with the others trades, especially the mechanical contractor meant we had no clashes and all was fully assessable once the project was completed.

Power

13amp socket outlets were provided throughout providing power to the workspaces, general areas, kitchen and meeting rooms. RCD protection was provided where required. Power was also provided for the new HVAC equipment as required.

Lighting

New Zumtobel LED lighting was installed throughout the new extension, predominantly slot lighting recessed into the plasterboard ceilings  providing a sleek look, but maximising the light output. Other Zumtobel products were used to light the corridor, breakout and communal areas too. All complete with Dali technology integrated into the Ex-Or intelligent lighting control solutions enabling full control and  allowing day light harvesting, reducing the energy consumed. Where some meeting rooms had folding partition walls the lighting control system was able to recognise when these were opened and change the amount of light fittings it controlled.

Emergi emergency lighting was installed, connected and commissioned onto the building’s existing monitoring platform

ICT Wiring & Outlets

All cat6 ICT wiring was installed to each workspace on new containment systems, terminating into  the data cabinet located within the newly formed comms room. New fibre optic cables were installed from an existing comms room to feed the new one. An audio & visual solution was provided for each of the meeting rooms.

Fire Alarm

A new fire alarm ‘loop’ was installed and connected for the extension, this included refuge points for people needing assistance, connected to the buildings existing system. Commissioned by Pyrotec.

Access Control  

New access control was installed where required, fully installed and commissioned Chris Lewis Fire & Security.

Lightning Protection 

The existing lightning protection to the building was adapted to suit the extension. Installed and tested by Horizon.

Other

Whilst the roof was having a new extension built we were also involved in creating Four new ‘video meeting pods’ , a first aid room, extending a freezer room, and repurposing existing offices to an open area work space. All of these areas had new lighting, power and ICT wiring as described above.

The Project received both a certificate commending it as one of Oxford’s best new buildings and the OPT Green Award in recognition of the project team’s efforts to create a more sustainable building

Links

https://www.kennedy.ox.ac.uk/news/the-kennedy-institute-completes-its-roof-extension

https://fathomarchitects.com/projects/medical-science-university-of-oxford/

https://estates.admin.ox.ac.uk/article/two-capital-projects-buildings-win-oxford-preservation-trust-awards

The refurbishment of the Christ Church Boat House – Completed 2019

Christ Church’s Boat House is located at the apex of the Cherwell and Thames. It is home the college’s famous Boat Club, first established in 1817.

This project by Montgomery Architects  and delivered by CBG Consultants and ourselves saw the complete renovation of the gym, modernisation of services within the boat store and workshops, and a new punt store extension created. The terrace and gym enjoy stunning views across the rivers, a nice respite from the tough training regimes for the rowing teams.

Electrical services were replaced, with new heating, ventilation , lighting, power, fire alarm and access control systems all installed. The project was completed over two phases, to reduce disruption to the rowers.

New Whitecroft, Pro and ASD LED lighting was selected and installed providing a brighter and more efficient lighting solution. New power outlets were provided for the users and the training equipment. Low energy heaters were also installed keeping users comfortable.

The fire alarm system was upgraded providing greater protection to life and the building, linked to the main site.

Links

Christ Church Boathouse

The refurbishment of the St Edmund Hall Old Dining Hall and fit out of rear servery – Completed 2020

This project involved the refurbishment of the colleges dining hall and servery. Working with Original Field of Architecture  and Richard Ward Oxford we delivered a new lighting solution replacing the old failing electrical wiring, including the general power and fire alarm system. The servery adjacent to the dining hall had a new fit out too.

The new lighting was fitted as specified and designed by Francesco Miniati Lighting Design. iGuzzini fittings were selected and installed at high level to illuminate art work within the dining hall,  The Sattler ‘Ring’ fitting provides a beautiful architectural and functional  aspect to the space.

The existing servery had a electrical panel board within it, supplying numerous parts of the college. As part of our works we were able to co-ordinate and programme a series of shutdowns to move the electrical supplies to a new panel board located just outside of the room. This allowed the room to be fitted out to its maximum potential.

Links –

https://www.seh.ox.ac.uk/news/old-dining-hall-refurbishment

Library Refurbishment Project – Completed 2020

Working with Kingerlee Ltd, we carried out the installation of new distribution, power, access control, fire alarm and lighting including emergency, within the Department of Oriental Institute library,the refurbished works were located in the reception, research room and offices.

We used suspended luminaires supplied by Zumtobel lighting, complete with Hostwave Emergency lights, all controlled via a sensor control system from Ex-Or.

The architectural nature of the library meant we installed power coated containment to blend into its environment. The Distribution system was upgraded with new Distribution boards being installed complete with Rayleigh meters and Dehn Surge protection units.

New power installation was installed for the new layout complete with additional fire detection devices commissioned by Pyrotec services.

Salto door access equipment was installed and commissioned by Chris Lewis Security.

Now the library has been transformed into the ideal space for all users!  A reception area, divided away from the reading areas and glass walls creating an open plan feel but also providing quiet reading areas.

Scope of works –

Rear ground floor single storey side and rear extensions and general refurbishment of a 4 storey house. The existing electrical system to be completely stripped out and a brand new system installed.

Installation –

Firstly we isolated all of the existing electrical services and completely removed all wiring and accessories. New power, lighting, data, telephone and AV wiring and outlets were required. Dedicated circuits for items like the Photovoltaic system, fire alarm and boiler were taken from a new distribution board complete with RCD protection, where required.

The general lighting installation was carried out using LSF 6242BH cabling installed within the fabric of the building. Lighting is generally controlled by on/off switches and some dimmer switched plus PIR sensors to the rear garden. Some lighting switches control the ventilation in certain area’s too.

Telephone,data and AV cabling was installed to all rooms from a central location allowing complete versatility.

‘Pop-up’ sockets were installed to the Kitchen island allowing appliances to be plugged in when needed but leaving a nice clean/flat worktop when not required.

Sky light control is available from a wall switch, rain sensors are installed just in case a sudden downpour was to dampen the mood.

The Fire Alarm is an D21LD2 category system as per the drawings and specification in all areas, wired utilising LSF 6242BH cabling. This is connected to a dedicated 230volt circuit. The Aico detectors used have a secondary battery power supply if the mains were to fail.

Unique aspects and challenges –

The property was heated by a wood pellet boiler, a pellet store was constructed in the basement and pellets were automatically pumped into the boiler when required. The carbon monoxide levels can rise to dangerous levels in pellet stores so a Simplicity CO monitoring system was installed. Sensors where installed in adjacent rooms to the pellet store itself, these sensors constantly monitor the CO levels and displays the levels on the panels screen located in the hallway on the level above. The panel will raise an alarm if the CO level has reached a set limit.

Extra careful planning, co-ordination and installation of the wiring and accessories  was required due to the flush wall/ceiling panel heating installed within the property. Wall mounted radiators weren’t wanted, so heating pipes similar to a underfloor system was installed to the walls and ceilings. Our electrician and the plumber got to know each-other very well!!

Technical details –

• MK Sentry  – Distribution
• MK Logic – Accessories
• Panasonic telephone system
• Aico – Smoke/Heat and CO detection
• Honeywell wireless doorbell
• Collingwood H2 Lite downlights
• Heatmiser – Underfloor/wall/ceiling heating controls
• Airflow ventilation
• Simplicity CO, carbon monoxide detection

Client – Green Templeton College

Green Templeton College own many properties on Observatory street Oxford and carry out refurbishments to these properties keeping them to a high standard of accommodation.

Monard Electrical working with Richard Wards Builders and many other contractors carried out a full refurbishment of 6 Observatory street including a complete electrical rewire, Mechanical services and decoration throughout the property.

LED Lighting was installed complete with MK Logic accessories and Hager Distribution board which contained internal Surge protection.

A Fire Alarm system was installed and linked to the colleges Lodge with commissioning being carried out by Pyrotec Services.

Praise for the refurbishment works by all involved

“I would like to take a moment to relay my appreciation on what has been a fantastic transformation of a very sad old property. The finish speaks volumes for your expertise and attention to detail. You have been professional, obliging, and courteous at all times and it has been a true pleasure working with you all.”

Steve Williams, Clerk of Works, Green Templeton College

The building was formerly used to house the University’s Mathematics department,. Although not listed, the building was built in the mid-1960s so a sympathetic and wide scale refurbishment was needed.

Strict scheduling meant that that the Monard team had to work alongside other main trades within a seven month programme. The first major Cat 6A installation for Monard, the contractor install and completely new metal containment scheme, power, lighting, emergency lighting, fire alarm system, access control, and trunking to meet the complex specification.

Richard Francis, Project Manager at Monard, said: “Monard Electrical has a strong background and extensive experience working within the higher education and listed building sectors and has been involved with many University projects through the years.

“This has been an interesting project for us in that it’s our first major Cat 6A installation. The building was pretty vast and the new containment had to run throughout the entire building. Due to the nature of the department, high levels of data/bandwidth was essential.

“Most businesses are still choosing Cat5e or Cat6 as these systems are perfectly adequate for most current applications. Those that look at Cat6a do so for future proofing purposes. If the cabling system is five or more years, Cat6a should be considered. If the planned lifetime is ten or more years, Cat6a should be the over-riding solution, even for relatively low performance users. Whilst we have seen Cat6a largely in data centres, there is a slowly shifting trend towards Cat 6a as people consider the long term as an increasingly important factor.”

Aesthetically, the architect’s vision was to create an industrial feel to the Statistics building and left the overhead cabling exposed. This also served to give the building a greater sense of light and space.

All of the services were exposed in the Statistics Building using galvanised cable Basket, Tray and trunking. This feature was retained throughout and whilst making little difference to our approach to the installation, it did affect our scheduling, working around other trades. Plasterers and decorators needed to finish their scope of works before we could begin the install which was managed with lots attention to logistics, communicating regularly with the project manager and other trades on site.”

This was a large scale project with a value of £1 million. At one point we had 18 electricians working at the project with 5 of our apprentices. We managed to complete the project on time and ready for the new academic year.

This has been a fantastic project to be involved in. The Monard team have carried out the work in rapid time ready for the students to relocate in January this year.