Client: Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Service Location: Grantham Value: £1.1m
Design & Build
This scheme involved a number of refurbishment and reconfigurations of the existing Grantham Fire Station which was originally built in the 1960’s.
Works included; the refurbishment of all offices (decorated, new carpets and ceilings), a new kitchen and rest area, new training rooms to include new data and audio technologies, and an upgrade to the existing changing area.
M&E works included the upgrade of the heating system, emergency lighting and electrical systems.
Externally, we demolished the existing training tower which was deemed structually unsafe and rebuilt a brand new fire tower. We also undertook an extension to the existing car park and water attenuation works.
Works were carried out in a live, working environment and were therefore phased over 6 months to ensure disruption was kept to a minimum. We also had to ensure that access to emergency vehicles was kept free at all times, and that a quiet area was available for staff to take calls that were of a confidential nature.
Our Site Manager held daily communications with the station team to ensure that our works did not disrupt any daily activities and the make all staff aware of site activities.
There were a number of challenges that affected the project which were mitigated by our Project team and the Client successfully. The scheme was procured through the PAGABO Framework but was originally planned to commence several years prior. This meant that many of the original drawings and plans required updating prior to works commencing.
As the building was constructed in the 1960’s, we were also uncertain on the conditions of some of the structure until we got to site. Many of the room confirguarations required adjustment of walls and ceiling heights as there was a mismatch throughout the building.
We also had to take extra care due to the fact that asbestos was present not only in the building but also in the ground as a result of existing demolition work carried out a number of years ago.
The works were completed a month ahead of the original programme thanks to our team managing to procure improved steel supplies from a local company.
“We are delighted with the refurbishment programme, and credit to the G F Tomlinson site team who managed to complete the project a month ahead of schedule. Thank you to Chris, Brian and the team who understood the requirements of working within an operational fire station. It is often the intracacies of these smaller projects which can cuase larger issues and we needed to ensure we got the right people for the job, which we certainly did.”
Julie Smith, Operational Support – Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue
