CLIENT: London Borough of Southwark
CONTRACT: Communal Lighting & Emergency Escape Lighting to Various Tenanted Blocks
VALUE : £ 340,000
BCS Ltd were contracted to carry out renewal of emergency lighting installation to various tower blocks and low rise tenanted buildings London Borough of Southwark (LBS). One of buildings we carried out an emergency lighting upgrade to was Dawes House. This building was consistently occupied by residents and minimal disruption was achieved in affecting the residents day to day lives. The London Fire Brigade had imposed notices upon these buildings so in consultation with LBS we decided to install emergency lighting to open balconies and escape routes due to no borrowed light after we had carried out light readings. We decided to install galvanized conduit and ASD Light fittings with LSF wiring and contactor arrangement that BCS Ltd designed and other contractors adopted our system to allow switching of circuits to allow lights to illuminate at night but would not affect the dedicated supply of lights needed to charge batteries are introduce the potential for fittings to be double fed thus creating a dangerous situation. We procured all materials and labour and completed works on time and within budget.
QUALITY CONTROL
BCS Ltd is fully accredited to ISO 9001, EXOR, CHAS, and Construction Line NICEIC, Trust Mark, and staffs are constantly monitored on an ongoing basis and their training reviewed to ensure competence. All of these accreditation required independent auditing, management structures to ensure suitable quality control measures are in place. This required the implementation of applicable key performance indicators to ensure quality control targets have been met. Prior to work commencing, the works site was be subjected to a comprehensive Risk Assessment followed by a detailed method statement identifying all work aspects.. During the initial mobilisation period BCS ltd employees are made aware of the exact requirement and the expectation of all stakeholders. Supervisors and Project Managers are instructed to carry out random spot checks on all work in progress to quickly identify poor standards and make immediate improvements.
BCS Ltd ensured housekeeping was kept throughout this contact; records were always kept up to date, paperwork was readily available for the client. Invoicing was carried out in line with the request of the client and information was always up to date and available for the client.
EXAMPLES OF COLLABORATIVE WORKING WITH CLIENT AND RESIDENTS
The initial contract meeting was used as an introduction to all parties so that all key stakeholders could engage effectively.
We ensured a relationship was formed from the offset, utilising our Resident Liaison Officer. A formal introduction was also made with the Tenant liaison Officer For Dawes House. Our Resident Liaison Officer was given the duty of identify and assessing all the residents special needs, this allowed BCS Ltd to tailor their working programme to minimise disruption and inconvenience to tenants. Our RLO identified a multi-lingual resident base and ensured the relevant communication channels were covered; this resulted in notices and signage throughout the block drafted in several languages.
Communication was essential in order for this project to run effectively by involving clients and residents collectively. We achieved this by arranging frequent site meetings and tenant and residents meetings. We attended at request of London Borough of Southwark to attend Lease Holder consultation meetings as residents requested a full description of works and breakdown of costs to demonstrate the works specified. Electricity supplies to lifts and essential services was not affected at all within this contract and feedback from residents was very positive.
We scheduled weekly progress meetings with the London Borough of Southwark to ensure they were updated on any timescale issues and gave them the opportunity to prevent any issues from escalating and gave working groups a high level platform for the client to air their views.
Throughout this contract BCS Ltd put in procedures to deal with vulnerable residents and safe systems or work implemented to allow for Fire detection system and essential supplies to be operational at all times so to cause minimum disruption
QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES
- Pre Start meetings with LBS
- Standard of expected terms of delivery and quality
- KPI were addressed and incorporated with our works procedures
- Gant chart forming critical path a schedule of works
- Adequate procurement procedures for supply chain & materials
- Ensuring that final handover is documented correctly and detail
- Tenant Satisfaction and concerns addressed at two weekly meetings.
DETAILS OF DAY TO DAY MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION
For the duration of this contract the contract manager visited the site on a daily basis to carry out the following:
Provide the adequate supervision for employees and contractors throughout the duration of this contract.
Oversaw Waste Management on Site and that Waste Transfer Notes were obtained where required.
Ensured materials and chemicals are suitably identified and stored
Ensured materials had been procured in line with the programme of works.
Requested COSHH/E information if this was not provided and ensured advice was followed.
Coordinate Planned Arrangements for any Emergency Situations that occurred.
Reported instances of non-conformance and any near misses identified during the operation of this contract.
Site Attendance Records were carried out on a daily basis to audit safe access and egress to and from site.
The site manager also carried out checks to ensure the programme of works had been adhered too.
RESOURCE STRUCTURE
For this contract the management team had been set up to manage, supervise and co-ordinate staff as follows:
Directors
Endorse implementation of Quality Management Systems through application of the quality policy statement and routine involvement.
Ensure adequate resources are made available.
Contract Manager
The contract manager ensured the adequate supervision of both employees and contractors. Their major role was to make sure the project ran to schedule, and met the required standard. The contract manager was also heavily involved in the Health and Safety Management of the site and attended Resident liaison Meetings and Lease Holders Consultation meetings
Resident Liaison Officer
The RLO was the communication hub between residents, housing officers and contractor.
Site Supervisor
Monitored the labour workforce, and ensured the programme was met within the deadline set. A major role of the site supervisor was also to ensure safe working practices at all times. Inspections of general housekeeping including ensuring the right materials and plant were on-site at the right time for the Dawes House project and ensured professional conduct of staff on site at all times.
Electricians
The electricians maintained the installation to the client specification. They were fully aware of the requirement and stakeholders before they entered the site. They were also aware of how to contact the relevant site staff if they had any problems or issues that needed to be addressed.
Health and Safety Officer
Monitored on site activity and ensured compliance with health and safety legislation. Ran tool box talk’s to contractors before they were allowed on site. Carried our regular site reviews and inspections from a H&S perspective.
First Aider
Provided immediate first aid when required and reported any accidents, as some electricians are also first aiders.
Administrative / Co-ordinator
Collate all on-site documentation generated throughout the duration of the project. Ensured communication and continuity channels were maintained to deliver a successful service.
Health & Safety Provisions
- Obtaining a safe working environment for staff and general public
- Tool box were carried out on a weekly basis
- COSHH Report updated on particular i.e. hazardous substances
- Asbestos identify and correct PPE was put in place
- Issuing of site ware fare need and requirements
- Ensuring that a signing in procedure was adhered to
- Ensure method statement & Risk assessment are signed off and agreed
- Notification of designated escape routes are shown before commencement of site
- Permit of works & Hot Work Permits
- Identify Risks in shutting down supplies i.e. Lifts, Water Pumps. Maintaining Fire alarm systems etc.
BCS Ltd completed these works within time and budget and was awarded further works to upgrade Rising and Lateral mains within the London Borough Of Southwark as part of a different contract . We displayed professionalism at all times in quality of works and in conduct towards residents. We have demonstrated that BCS Ltd carry out these works offering value for money and quality of works. References available upon request.