The new Fordbank Primary school will be constructed on the area currently occupied by the playing fields just off Beith Road, Johnstone.
In order to secure the construction site, a new site access road will be constructed allowing safe access directly from Beith Road.
The construction of the new build school will commence with the excavation and installation of foundations and underground drainage. Following this, excavations will be backfilled and the ground prepared with the granular sub base in order to facilitate the commencement of superstructure.
Following completion of the superstructure, works will then commence on the installation of the roofing system. The external envelope consists of an internal precast concrete panel system and an external leaf of either masonry or proprietary external board or cladding system. Internal blockwork and stairs will be installed concurrently with the external leaf. As the building envelope progresses, external doors and windows will be installed which will see initial areas of the building becoming wind and watertight. As the elevational treatments progress, downpipes connecting the roof gutters to the underground drainage will be installed.
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More Info on Fordbank Primary School:
Architect: Holmes Partnership
Engineer: URS
Landscape Architect: Ian White Associates
M & E: Faber Maunsell
FM: Amey
Value: £5.8m
Duration: Feb '06 – Jul ’07 (94 weeks)
As each construction phase becomes wind and watertight, the internal finishes within the building can commence. The initial activities will involve the installation of mechanical and electrical first fixes. This involves the fixing of bracketry, ducting, piping, cable trays, conduits and main cabling which constitute the main services distribution systems throughout the school. At the point where the plant rooms are complete and securable, the main mechanical and electrical plant will be installed and connected to the distribution systems. Internal stud partitions can then commence with plasterboard installed to one side only. Metal ceiling framing will also be installed at this point. Socket and switch locations are then marked and electrical backboxes installed with the cabling then being pulled through. The second sheet of plasterboard can then be installed. The joints in the plasterboard are then taped, filled and sanded. A ‘mist’ coat of paint is then applied to the internal partitions. Commencing the decoration at this early stage allows high levels of productivity, as there is limited requirement for dustsheets and masking tape.
In addition, the mist coat helps to identify any imperfections in the partitions or filling which the decorator can then address prior to final decoration. Joinery second fix activities will then commence which will involve the installation of cills, skirtings, doorframes and/or doors and facings. In areas with grid and tile suspended ceilings; ceiling tiles will be installed at this point to enable the installation of luminaries. Services final fixes generally such as sanitary ware, switches, electrical points and controls will be installed and the systems energised to enable commissioning. Final decoration and works can therefore take place with the permanent lighting switched on which helps achieve a high standard of finish. The building is now ready to receive fixed fixtures and furniture. In areas such as science labs there will still be a requirement for final connection of power and gas pipes to lab benches. Floor finishes will then be laid followed by the distribution of loose fittings and furnishings into the building. Final builders’ clean will then take place.
This sequence for the internal finishes works will be repeated for each of the anticipated phases.
Throughout all activities checking of workmanship to ensure compliance with the Authority Requirements will be undertaken. All defects will be recorded, addressed and signed off. As each work package is completed on site, Operation and Maintenance manuals will be finalised and collated by Carillion for handover to the building users and operators. In order to ensure a smooth handover from the construction to operational management it is anticipated that a regime of handover procedures will be agreed. These procedures will involve familiarisation of the fabric, systems, equipment, controls and emergency provision within the building.
Following completion of the new school the existing building will be demolished to make way for new playing field. This situation presents the design team with the challenge of developing a proposal which can be constructed while the existing school still functions and provide a new building which will meet the requirements of the brief.
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