The Client:
KCS Projects were awarded the contract to design and install an L2 fire alarm system in Draper’s Pyrgo Priory School in Romford, June 2022.
Draper’s Pyrgo Priory School is part of Draper's Multi-Academy Trust, which also includes Draper's Academy, Draper's Brookside Infant School, Draper's Maryland Primary School, and Draper's Brookside Junior School.
Draper’s Pyrgo Priory School is a mixed-sex primary school consisting of various blocks, including outdoor and physical education facilities. The school currently has around 420 students, with a total of 90 staff, 23 of whom are teachers. In 2018, the school was given a ‘Good’ rating by OFSTED.
The Brief:
We were awarded the contract to design and install an L2 fire alarm system in Draper’s Pyrgo Priory School in Romford, June 2022.
We were required to produce a programme of works during our site visit to inform the school of any changes that were to be made to the system.
All staff were required to have Enhanced DBS Checks and the works carried out had to conform to BS 5839 2017 standards.
Our Work:
Following a site visit, we produced a programme of works. The programme of works was used to schedule our operations throughout the project, and to ensure the school was aware of what we would be working on at all times.
Works began in June 2022 when we carried out the fire alarm system installation in one of the blocks, then networked across to the other block using a fault-tolerant cable.
Our team used an L2 fire alarm featuring a four-loop panel, which included a cause-and-effect function on the main fire alarm panel to prevent gas from being turned off during tests. This would eliminate the risk of any disruption to the school's kitchens during testing.
In addition to the L2 fire alarm system, we updated the emergency lighting. To do this, it was necessary to replace the distribution board, which dated back to a development in the 1950s.
The installation of the fire alarm panel and update of the emergency lighting was relatively straightforward, with no significant obstacles.
The works were carried out with a Contracts Manager, who attended the site at least 3 times a week. Our team also included a commissioning engineer, a working site foreman who oversaw the works and the health and safety of the site, and eight operatives who implemented the installation of the wires and cables.
All staff who worked on this project had Enhanced DBS checks, and all works conformed to BS 5839 2017 standards.
Throughout the works, we were required to operate around the scheduling of the school’s Holiday Club, so that we did not disturb them. At all times, we communicated with the school regarding our access requirements, and ensured that our work did not interfere with the running of the school.
When the project was complete, we led a handover session with the Site Manager and his team of caretakers. This consisted of a 1-day training session that ensured they understood all aspects of the L2 fire alarm system we installed.
The training covered all areas of the system, including how to use the cause-and-effect function on the main panel to prevent the gas being turned off during weekly testing, so as not to disrupt the kitchens and other areas of the school.
When the training was complete, we left our contact details should there be any questions or concerns once our team had left the school site.
The Outcome:
We were able to successfully design and install an L2 fire alarm system at Draper’s Pyrgo Priory School in Romford, June 2022, while effectively communicating with the school at all times regarding our whereabouts and access requirements.
The fire alarm system was installed in one of the blocks, and was then networked over to the other block using a fault-tolerant cable. The L2 fire alarm system featured a four-loop panel, with a cause-and-effect function to prevent the gas from being turned off during weekly testing. This would eliminate any disruption to the kitchens and other areas of the school.
Our team delivered added value by updating the emergency lighting, which required us to replace the 1950’s era distribution board.
We were able to work around the school’s daily operations, including the Holiday Club, without causing any disruption to their activities.
We ensured that all relevant staff were informed of the changes made to the fire alarm system by producing a comprehensive programme of works, and then led a handover session with the Site Manager and his team of caretakers that covered all aspects of the system, including how to use the cause-and-effect function.
On our departure from the site, we left our contact details to allow staff to contact us should there be any issues.
All works conformed to BS 5839 2017 standards.
Comments