FAEL Works (Sector C&D)
Location: The British Museum, Bloomsbury, London
Duration: 12 weeks
Scope of project
AWL was contracted by the British Museum as Principal Contractor. The 2013 FAEL Works project comprised the provision of new fire detection, fire voice alarm and emergency lighting systems to the Assyrian Gallery, Old Lecture Theatre Foyer, Greek Vases Gallery, Ante Room, Directors’ Committee Room and Pamela Hartwell Room. The project also included the provision of a new general lighting installation in the Greek Vases Gallery. The works encompassed all engineering services, utilising Alpine project management and our approved supply chain.
We employed Honeywell Control Systems as a preferred subcontractor to provide all specialist equipment and commissioning of devices for the Fire Detection System installation. The installation was fully compliant with the requirements of the Museum’s FAEL Harmonisation Document(s). This included a site acceptance test demonstrating the full functionality of all FAEL systems and those systems connected to it.
The next component of the project was the voice alarm system which included containment systems, mechanical protection and other miscellaneous outlets and isolation devices as required, to complete the full installation. The services of Professional Sound Consultancy Limited were employed as a subcontractor to supply and commission all voice alarm system devices. This included a pre-handover full test of the voice alarm installation that measured both the audibility and speech intelligibility throughout the space. We ensured that we were able to meet the British Museum’s requirements prior to handover. The installation was fully compliant with the requirements of the Museum’s FAEL Harmonisation Document(s). This included a site acceptance test demonstrating the full functionality of all FAEL systems and those systems connected to it, at or prior to project completion.
AWL supplied and installed the emergency lighting system inclusive of all containment, mechanical protection, luminaires, control panels and isolation devices as required to provide the complete installation. We utilised the Emergency Lighting Framework contractor Protec Fire Detection plc for the supply of all system control panels, luminaire conversions and commissioning of the completed system.
All infrastructure and services penetrations were fire stopped in accordance with the British Museum’s Fire Stopping Supplement. Temporary fire stopping was also provided at the end of each working day that we made in the fabric of the building which was due to the requirements of the project.
Challenges
Working in staff and public areas, Alpine Works employed Coniston Limited to segregate and isolate each work face from access by Museum staff, visitors and the public. Where this was not practical, additional hoardings were erected to create a separation or safe access route. Where works crossed main circulation routes, Alpine Works co-ordinated works outside of peak traffic periods which included the use of local removable barriers. Artefacts were present in certain areas, so we provided protection to protect from accidental damage, noise and dust ingress. Although the exhibits were encased in protection, Alpine Works were keen to ensure that working near enclosures, accidental falls and trips would not damage or undermine the integrity of these enclosures. Measurements were taken to calculate what would happen in the event of a slips or falls, enabling a re-evaluation of protection measures. All infrastructure and services penetrations were fire stopped in accordance with the British Museum’s Fire Stopping Supplement. Temporary fire stopping was also provided at the end of each working day that we made in the fabric of the building which was due to the requirements of the project.
