Modern Building Services

A s local police stations have closed, police headquarters have become more complex and are designed to continue evolving. Two new developments in SouthWales, both of which have been specified with CMD Ltd’s power distribution range to offer flexibility and resilience, provide excellent examples of how the electrical fit-out of blue light sector buildings is being delivered with futureproofing built in. Cwmbran HQ Both South Wales Police projects have been delivered by Highadmit Projects, an electrical contractor based in Mid Glamorgan. The new 5,178m 2 Gwent Police in Cwmbran will replace the current facility in nearby Croesyceiliog and has been designed to accommodate 480 officers and staff. The new building will reduce running costs by more than £1million a year, while providing facilities that include the force’s control room for 999 and 101 calls, wellbeing and training accommodation, and a base for major crime teams, support services and senior management. The electrical fit-out for the new Cwmbran HQ has been specified to ensure that any trips or outages on the electrical network affect as little of the building as possible to support 24/7 operational continuity and efficiency. Our Power Hub underfloor power distribution systemwas specified by the M&E consultant in conjunction with the client, Monmouthshire County Council, in order to satisfy this requirement. The system provides up to six power outputs from a single mains input, combining compact hub units with flexible metal conduits or ‘umbilicals’, which connect the hubs together to create the electrical distribution network in the floor void. It has been installed along with our Auxiliary Earth 63A Betatrak powertrack and Elite+ under desk power modules. It’s been installed to distribute the incoming supply on each storey and create a central spine within the floor void. Around 60, 6-way Power Hub units have then been installed on each storey to take power to the required locations. At installation, the requirement is for no more than 12 double sockets to be powered by each hub circuit, ensuring any outages are localised to enable the remainder of the building to operate as usual. Ample redundancy has been built into the system to enable further tap-offs to be installed as required should occupancy rates or connectivity requirements change. Each Power Hub will connect to an under-desk workstation module via a 20 Series fast-fit Floor Box, and serves just two workstations, with cleaner’s hives installed for dedicated sockets for cleaning equipment. With circuit protection, the Power Hub and the workstation power module, any trips on the system will affect a limited number of workstations and devices in case of an electrical fault. More information can be found at www.cmd-ltd.com FEATURE PROJECT NOTEBOOK www.sav-systems.com/hybrid-mbs Minimise Heat Network CAPEX &OPEX SAV Hybrid Energy Centres HYBRID Heat Pumps Electric Boilers Combined Heat & Power As the way we live and work changes, so too do the threats to our safety and security. Consequently, police forces also need to adapt to the way they operate, in order to maximise resources and utilise skills and technology. Building future flexibility and resilience into electrical networks at South Wales Police developments