Four residential blocks in Manchester collectively provide 995 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and use a new open plan layout to maximise living space by removing the hallway traditionally found in apartments, giving them a distinct Manhattan style feel. The blocks, up to 22 storeys high, include new shared gardens, public areas and parking.
“This has been a significant local project for us and is one of the largest single new M&E installation contracts we’ve worked on to date,” states Dave Birchall, Quartzelec’s Senior Contracts Manager for the project. “The project has not been without challenges, but we were up to the task every step of the way.”
Quartzelec undertook the full M&E services to all the landlord areas servicing the residential apartments as well as key communal areas, working in Manchester alongside main contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine.
The works across the development included the fit out of four new substations that now provide power to the development, along with two mechanical plant rooms housing the site boosted cold water supply and the wet riser pump room.
A total of 300 parking places across four levels serve the development with 60 CCTV installed cameras across the site. Over 5000 low energy microwave-controlled LED lighting units have also been installed over 68 residential corridors as part of the electrical and mechanical services to all areas of the development.
Full domestic sprinkler protection has also been installed within the apartments and escape routes along with Dry and Wet risers to the four blocks. The corridors have further protection by way of a comprehensive smoke clearance system within each block.
Project elements for this development of nearly a thousand homes in Manchester included: installing all necessary panel boards and metering; individual power and lighting installations for each unit along with a common area low voltage containment system; the door access, fire control and CCTV systems; general internal and external lighting; power for ancillary services including the lifts and smoke/ general ventilation systems and other building services; plus all the required Satellite TV, Cat5e, communication and intercom distribution systems with all associated cabling.
During the project, Quartzelec were awarded ‘Subcontractor of the month’ a total of four times from main contractor Sir Robert Mc-Alpine in recognition of the team’s leadership, ownership and visibility of the project’s Safety, Health, Environment and Quality commitments – reflecting well on the group’s robust SHEQ culture.
Commenting on the project, Richard Poulter, Building Services Manager for Sir Robert McAlpine adds: “This was the first major contract we awarded to Quartzelec, having been impressed by the quality of work delivered on competitive projects over recent years. Throughout project delivery they have demonstrated real flexibility to work alongside other contractors, ensuring smooth project flow and in-line with our SHEQ demands, particularly when the additional requirements to comply with Covid-19 safe practices were added in recent months. This has been a large and complex construction project and Quartzelec has been equal to the task at all stages.”