Blandford Community Hospital - Replacement of Gas Supply Pipework

Overview of project

Replacement of the external gas services from the existing gas meter housing to the main plant room, the boilers needed to kept operational throughout the works which were supplied by a temporary oil tank.

Project Location & Background

Blandford Community Hospital, Milldown Road, Blandford Forum.

Works running from the carpark to the kitchen extending across the main hospital entrance.

Blandford Hospital opened on the current site in 1891 and in 1938 the hospital had a major extension, in 1967 a physiotherapy unit was added. The development of the current building began in 1982 and was completed in 1986.

The Hospital provides a variety of health services to the community, including in-patients, an operating theatre, outpatients, minor injuries, and a radiotherapy department, and is occupied at all times.     

The hospital has an X-ray department, outpatient’s department, physiotherapy department with therapy gym and Tarrant Ward, a 25-bed in-patient ward providing nursing/medical care and rehabilitation, including two new palliative care suites.

Project Challenges

AS Mechanical and Electrical Ltd (ASME) were tasked with a fast turnaround project to install new gas MDPE pipework to feed a gas meter room and boiler house. The project involved excavation works and needed to be completed within a three week time frame. The Hospital would be open as usual whilst works were continuing.

•             Time frame of 3 weeks which needed to include evening and weekend working to minimise disruption.

The replacement of the gas supply pipework from the site primary meter around the Hospital buildings to the main plantroom had to be carried out with the absolute minimum impact on the operation of the Hospital. To achieve this, the works needed to be carefully planned and a detailed programme of the works drawn up for agreement with the NHS Trust stakeholder before commencement of the works.  As with all of ASME’s NHS Trust Projects client liaison was our main priority to ensure the smooth running of the project and minimal disruption of NHS services, thus there was to be daily communication/meetings between the Site Foreman, sub-contractors and operatives with regard to planning work in progress and any matters arising.

•             Possible location of asbestos in older plant room.

In line with other NHS Trust buildings, where sections of the building are very old, the Asbestos Register must be examined before commencing. Should suspect areas be identified, arrangements for testing by specialist subcontractors prior to commencement of works must take place. Asbestos was identified on flanges within the main plantroom, and ASME arranged to cut pipework either side of the flanges, appointing a specialist Asbestos company to have it removed from site.

•             Reliance on specialist sub-contractor groundworkers

The project depended on specialist groundworkers for excavation works, adding complexity to coordination efforts. Enquiries in relation to the necessary excavation works revealed there were no recorded structures underground that would impact the works. Groundworks could then commence.

Description of the Works

A full Risk and Method Statement and Programme of Works was supplied to, and agreed by the NHS Foundation Trust prior to the commencement of works.

The area where the excavation and external works was fenced off with HERAS fencing and a lockable gate to protect the general public, but steel rams were also put in place so emergency vehicles could still gain access to hospital main entrance in an emergency situation.

The excavation works were carried out by a team of specialist groundworkers with works arranged, where possible, out of hours and on weekends to try to minimise the disruption to hospital staff and patients.

Once the excavation works were completed and the trench safe, the installation of the new gas line was arranged, so that the plant and gas service shutdowns affecting the gas supply to the main kitchen could be pre-planned with the Trust and carried out on dates and times agreed.

The new gas pipeline was installed and tested to ensure its integrity and compliance with gas safety standards. The boilers were then disconnected, one at a time, and connected to the new gas supply, tested and commissioned. Once the boilers were operational on natural gas, the kerosene oil supply to each boiler was disconnected and locally plugged.

The trench was backfilled and the area made good by the appointed specialist groundwork company.

Despite facing challenges such as a tight timeframe, the need for operational continuity, asbestos concerns, and reliance on subcontractors, the replacement of the gas supply pipework at Blandford Community Hospital was executed successfully. Through careful planning, effective communication, and collaboration with the various stakeholders, ASME ensured minimal disruption to hospital services while enhancing the infrastructure for continued patient care. This project stands as another testament to the commitment to excellence and safety in healthcare facility management and infrastructure development.