When St George’s Hospital – the largest single-site hospital in London wanted to more than double the size of their existing computer room, they first approached Future-tech to provide a feasibility study to examine the options. Future-tech’s study led the company into the bidding process and a final contract to deliver the project – a fully-comprehensive maintenance contract.
THE BRIEF
Dating from the ‘80s, St. George’s computer room suffered from a poor original design and 15 years’ lack of investment during which the infrastructure had been allowed to degrade. The site had also suffered from limited preventative maintenance, and had a further drawback in that it was partitioned using solid breezeblocks. While Future-tech faced a significant construction challenge, the company also had to ensure that the hospital’s IT could be kept running throughout the entire refurbishment process.
CHALLENGES AND CONSTRAINTS
Initial involvement was not a straight-forward refurbishment since Future-tech was initially asked only to provide a feasibility study. This outlined three possible layouts for expansion, together with outline budgets each following a carefully phased process. The Trust chose an option and Future-tech, working with the internal M&E department expanded the option into a Work Book, together with a full Scope of Works and detailed costings.
THE FUTURE-TECH SOLUTION
Future-tech’s first task was to produce detailed working drawings, a Health and Safety file and a detailed working program. The project was divided into two phases. First Future-tech carried out enabling works for Phase 1 involving temporarily bypassing the UPSs and removing them to a temporary, external plant room, the team also erected a robust dust barrier. Next the team moved the existing plant into approximately half of the finished room and relocated the cabinets into the completed section. The dust wall was re-erected and the remaining phase of the project was undertaken. The team carried out final integration testing, this was carried out in the presence of the client to demonstrate that the room and its associated systems and services were functioning to the original design specifications.
Having completed the project on time and within budget, Future-tech delivered a formal handover together with full O&M documentation and a one-day awareness training programme for IT users. Subsequently, Future-tech was awarded a three-year, fully comprehensive (MEP/PPM) maintenance contract to ensure that the site remained in its original, pristine condition.