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| John Sharratt |
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M&E Co-ordination Engineer / Design
Development. |
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Imperial War Museum North, Manchester
This was the first project I worked on using CAD-Duct
as a tool to aid in co-ordination. Whilst still in its original format
as a ductwork only package I contacted MAP with a view to trying it
out with the aim of modifying the components to represent pipework
fittings.
This was ideal as MAP were, at that time, assessing the feasibility
of extending their product into a complete Building Services suite
and I was able to work closely with them in identifying and producing
the required component details. |
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The biggest challenge with regard to coordination on
this contract were the ground floor plantrooms. With a slab above
cast in spherical form the plantroom ceiling datum varied at all points.
Any change in direction of services meant that the soffit would either
be rising or falling dependant upon the location to the apex. Add
to this that there was no plantroom floor (merely excavated earth
later to be dressed with stone) and the installation had to be completely
set out using laser levels.
Main access and plant withdrawal routes with plenty of headroom were
maintained throughout making it easily maintainable. |
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Much of the mechanical installation, including
the whole of the canal cooling system (constructed of stainless steel)
was prefabricated off site and succesfully assembled later.
Without the use of 3D modeling for both the services and building
structure this contract would have proved far more difficult. The
use of accurately positioned sections through the complex plantroom
soffit enabled plant item bases to be cast beforehand with confidence
that the plant could be located at that point. |
| The main contractor for this prestigious project was
Sir Robert
McAlpine, with the M&E installation being carried out by N.G
Bailey & Co. |
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An extract from the New Civil Engineer, October 2003,
upon the Museum receiving the BCI Building Award
"...
and below stairs the neatest laid out plantroom you ever saw - with
functional gravel floor allowing ventilation of any residual gases." |
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