Scope
Parliament Buildings, Stormont, built in 1921 and officially opened in 1932, is a grade B+ listed building and recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s great architectural set pieces.
Sir Arnold Thornley designed the building with perfect symmetry and symbolism, such as the building being 365ft wide, representing one foot for every day of the year; and having six floors and six pillars at the entrance, one for each county in Northern Ireland.
Parliament Buildings is home to the Northern Ireland Assembly, in 2014 The Assembly Commission appointed contractors to repair and refurbish the entire roof of the 95 year old building.
AEM where appointed the M&E Contractor on this magnificent building. The overall Mechanical & Electrical Building Services was £1.6million. The project from start to finish was 12 months and was completed on time and within budget.
The Mechanical works included :- replacement of external roof mounted HVAC plant with packaged air handling plant, refurbishment of boiler plant rooms, replacement of BEMS controls, provision of rainwater harvesting systems, renewables installation to include solar thermal, heat pumps and photovoltaics and meter installations
The Electrical works included :- alterations to existing main switchgear, new sub mains distribution cabling, general power installations, power & control wiring associated with new HVAC plant, alterations to lightning protection, general emergency & maintenance lighting, electrical metering installations, alterations to fire alarm and alterations to CCTV installations.
The works proved to be challenging as all work was carried out in a fully operational and restricted environment, ensuring no disruption to the Assembly Chamber, Assembly Business and Public Tours.
AEM’S Contribution:
Scope
This project involved the Refurbishment and new Installations to a three storey office development. The existing front elevation of the building was retained with new floors etc constructed internally. This was a large scale detailed design & refurbishment project in a Listed Building with Antrim Electrical & Mechanical Ltd carrying out the Electrical & Mechanical Installations.
Scale
The Electrical Installation included:
• Distribution and wiring systems
• Low Voltage Switchgear
• Fire Alarm
• New General Power throughout the three storeys
• General Purpose Lighting and Emergency Lighting
• External Lighting
• Multi Compartment Trunking
• Telephone Services
• CCTV
• Access Control
• Gate Controls
• Lightning Protection
• Fire Stopping and Video Conferencing facilities.
The Mechanical Installations included:
• Ventilation
• Air-Conditioning
• Boiler
• Sanitaryware
• Plumbing
• Gas and Automatic Controls.
Areas of efficiency included using Condensing Boilers, BMS Controls to regulate Boiler (Times & Temperature). TRV’s were used on the Radiators and Thermostatic Radiator Valves used on the Hot Water System
Complexities
Working in this ‘Listed Art Deco’ building (One of Five in Belfast) we found many complexities which had to be overcome. Complex issues included the building being located on the edge of the River Lagan at the back and also on the side of a major road at the front. This meant that all deliveries had to be planned and at certain times Vehicle Management Systems had to be put in place to ensure safety. Further complex issues were the fact that the existing front elevation had to be retained and that no M&E Services could puncture the fabric of the building. Periodic meetings took place with all parties to ensure that the programme of works could be met and that all works could be completed as per the specification given.
Scope
This scheme involved the construction of a new 10 storey speculative office development situated on Linenhall Street in the centre of Belfast City Centre. This scheme involved providing design for a full fit-out including shell and core. Raised access floors were provided throughout to allow power and ICT to be easily distributed to tenants own requirements. The Building was serviced to allow the Client/Landlord to ‘let out’ individual floors or as one complete development.
Since the fit-out was completed in 2005, AEM Ltd have provided office fit-outs for Clients on the ground and first floors – ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accounts Ireland), second floor – F5 Networks, third floor – Private Solicitors firm, fifth and sixth floor – One Source ICICI Call Centre
Scale
The installation and its fundamental conception ensured that the principles of Energy Conservation within the particular environment had been installed with the future in mind.
The Mechanical Installation included:
• Air-Conditioning (Internal & External Units), Ventilation
• Gas Fired Air Handling Units
• Automatic Controls and Natural Gas Pipework Installation
Areas of efficiency included:
• Using Condensing Boilers
• BMS Period of Controls to regulate Boiler (Times & Temperature).
TRV’s were used on the Radiators and Thermostatic Radiator Valves Contract Used on the Hot Water System.
The Electrical Installation included:
Suited Master Key Controls to general Power Circuits ensured months that Plug and Play items could not be left in a position that devices could be left to waste energy. Further Installations included:
• Fire Alarm
• CCTV
• Door Access Systems
• Lightning Protection
• Disabled Refuge and Fire Fighting Communications Systems.
AEM Ltd, we are committed to providing project solutions in construction through excellence in design, installation, and completion.
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