On behalf of main contractor, Gilbert-Ash, Michael Nugent Ltd was tasked with providing the MEP services for the Cat B fit-out throughout the nine floors at PwC, Belfast. The £70m state-of-the-art Grade A office development provides mixed use accommodation and six retail units. And with capacity for over 3,000 people, the collaborative space for learning and emerging skills is significant.
Michael Nugent Ltd is a Northern Irish-based Mechanical and Electrical contractor with reach across GB, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland. The second-generation family-owned business delivers the highest standards of MEP services across a range of key sectors including, healthcare, education, hotels and leisure, science and research, arts and culture, commercial and ecclesiastical through major contracts, facilities management and specialist works business units.
With a spark of ingenuity and a vision for high-quality mechanical services, Michael Nugent founded the company in 1963 in Pomeroy, Co.Tyrone. In 2013, the company expanded their services to include Electrical installation and maintenance. Today, the vibrant story of its 58-year history has filled the company with a wealth of experience delivering exceptional MEP services.
INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS
Michael Nugent used innovative products throughout the Cat B fit-out. Electrical innovative systems included; Casambi Bluetooth, a wireless mesh network lighting control system which uses state of-the-art wireless technology to give the end user full functional control of every light in the building from a tablet or phone. The extensive UPS system provides uninterruptable power supply to all critical server rooms as well as door access throughout the building with 120KVA providing 30-minute battery autonomy.
Underfloor busbar networks were installed to allow for flexibility in the use of space, ensuring electrical services are easily amended to allow for changes
in the clients end user requirements. The electrical loads in the building are individually metered and this data can be used to monitor the buildings performance, run diagnostics to pinpoint and eradicate inefficiencies.
Mechanically, the air conditioning base build Daikin VRF systems were extended and modified in-line with the PwC fit out design. As part of the ventilation fit-out, an energy efficient Polar Energy System was installed to provide heating to the kitchen areas via a new supply Air Handling Unit.
The base build iMBS system was extended to incorporate the new M&E systems installed during the fit-out. The fully programmed iMBS system was set to work throughout the building in-line with a strategy agreed with the end user to meet their individual needs. This ensured the client had in depth control of the buildings systems and allows for efficient usage of required systems to reduce and limit energy consumption.
CHALLENGES
The project was not without its challenges as it commenced and was completed during the Covid-19 pandemic. This presented two major issues; the health and welfare of
employees directly and indirectly, and the procurement of the required
materials and equipment. Continual communication was required to ensure all employees were aware of current Covid restrictions and site management plans had to be followed to ensure that work forces remained safe.
To avoid anticipated issues with global logistics and the fact that the delivery of equipment and materials to site was critical to the success of the project, the company worked with its supply chain and implemented a strategy of early procurement and local storage to ensure the project was not delayed.
Speaking after the completion of the project, Mechanical Contracts Manager, Eamon Holland said: “PwC has been a fantastic project to be involved in and the project is a huge credit to all involved. Being the first privately built commercial building in Northern Ireland to receive ‘Excellent’ status to BREEAM UK speaks for itself.”
Contracts Director, Brendan Gildernew remarked: “We have a long standing relationship with Gilbert-Ash, which we look forward to continuing to develop through delivering ground breaking projects. The project team from Gilbert-Ash were first class, as always and we are delighted to have completed the Cat B fit-out throughout the nine floors.”
T: +44 (0)28 8775 8617
E: info@michaelnugent.co.uk
www.michaelnugent.co.uk
