Weymouth Community Hospital - Upgrade of the Air Conditioning Plant, Serving the Operating Theatre Suite, and recovery Areas

Overview of the Project

The upgrade of the operating theatre and recovery areas air supply and air extract plant included the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of new sections of ventilation plant with associated run-around heat recovery circuits, LPHW, chilled water services and drainage. It also included alterations to the ductwork and services on the other air conditioning system serving the upper ground floor and air supply and extract ductwork in the plantroom to create space for the additional plant and new ductwork.

Project Location

Weymouth Community Hospital is situated near the seafront, close to the town centre. The hospital was opened in 1921 as Weymouth and District Hospital, being the main hospital for the West of Dorset. Since that date a comprehensive range of services has been added to enhance the lives of people living in Weymouth.

The contract working area comprises the plantroom and the external tarmac areas beside the plantroom. The plantroom is in the lower ground floor of the building and is at the rear of the site accessible from the hospital’s internal roads.

Project Challenges

The works were to be carried out in a single phase, with the plant and services kept in operation. The anticipated programme for the project is commencement of works was early October 2023 with completion within twenty-two weeks.

•             A very large-scale project requiring collaboration with NHS Foundation Trust stakeholders, designers and multiple specialist subcontractors.

 A preliminary programme of works for discussion and agreement was issued with input from all interested parties. The priority, as with all NHS Foundation Trust projects, was that disruption to staff, facilities and the general public be kept to a minimum and strategies and procedures were put in place to ensure that patient care would be maintained throughout.

•             All areas of the Hospital, other than the day surgery unit, will be occupied for the duration of the contract works.

A S Mechanical & Electrical Ltd planned works that included shutdowns commencing after 20.00hrs and arranged for weekend working with operatives and specialist sub-contractors.

•             Requirement for all contractors to be able to co-ordinate throughout the project to ensure one trade was not holding up another and vice versa.

A S Mechanical & Electrical Ltd placed all long lead items on order and required that all specialist subcontractors followed suit. After issuance of preliminary programme for discussion and agreement a pre-contract meeting on site finalised and agreed programme details and working arrangements on site.

•             Site set up/preparation was required within one week.

Delivery and collation of equipment and materials. Set up of appropriate storage containers and other facilities. Provision and erection of HERAS fencing and associated site security and safety.

•             Possible location of asbestos.

 An Asbestos R & D Survey was been undertaken and A S Mechanical & Electrical Ltd were advised that ceiling boards in the plantroom under the ground floor slab were plasterboard but “collars” around vertical soil pipes where they pass through the plasterboard are thought to be asbestos board and are therefore not to be disturbed.  A copy of the full report was issued to all concerned parties.

Description of works

Stage One of the Weymouth Community Hospital's air conditioning plant upgrade project, several critical tasks were undertaken to prepare for subsequent mechanical and electrical works. This included the installation of temporary task lighting in the theatre suite and recovery areas and the careful isolation and removal of existing electrical services to facilitate the removal of false ceilings.

Additionally, extensive strip-out works were conducted in various rooms, including recovery areas, corridors, and storage rooms, to prepare for ductwork access and installation. Isolation valves were installed on hot water supply lines, and basin removal and dismantling were carried out to provide access to ductwork. Furthermore, assessment and ordering of fire/smoke dampers, measurement surveys, and ductwork drawings were initiated to ensure compliance and readiness for subsequent stages.

Stage Two focused on the disconnection and removal of existing equipment and services to make way for mechanical and electrical works in the plant room. This involved the shutdown and electrical disconnection of fans and pumps, relocation of electrical outlets, dismantling of cable trunking, and removal of louvres and ductwork. Alterations to heating and cooling services, rerouting of ductwork, and installation of temporary services were undertaken to facilitate subsequent works. Additionally, preparations were made for the installation of new air handling units (AHUs), including modifications to plantroom infrastructure and positioning of AHU components.

In Stage Three, the project progressed to the second fix phase on the upper ground floor, focusing on the installation of final duct connections, grilles, and ventilation components. This included the installation of air supply duct connections to the new UCV canopy, grilles in ceilings and casings, pressure stabilizing dampers, and air transfer grilles. Plumbing works were also carried out, including the installation of sinks, basins, and hot/cold-water services in various rooms. Testing and commissioning of the UCV canopy and Trend BMS, along with hygiene testing of potable water services, were completed to ensure readiness for operation.

Finally, Stage 4 the provision of as-fitted drawings, safety manuals, and operation and maintenance manuals, culminating in a handover meeting to discuss the completed installation and its ongoing management.

Conclusion

In summary, the upgrade of the air conditioning plant serving the operating theatre suite and recovery areas at Weymouth Community Hospital represents a significant milestone in enhancing the hospital's infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of patient care. This comprehensive project, spanning multiple stages, involved meticulous planning, coordination, and execution to minimise disruptions while ensuring continuous operation of essential services. Despite the challenges posed by the scale of the project and the need to maintain patient care, the collaborative efforts of stakeholders, designers, and specialised subcontractors facilitated the successful completion of the upgrade within the designated timeframe. Through strategic planning and adherence to rigorous safety protocols, A S Mechanical & Electrical Ltd demonstrated their commitment to delivering a high-quality solution tailored to the hospital's requirements. The culmination of this project not only signifies the modernisation of critical infrastructure but also underscores the unwavering dedication to providing optimal healthcare services for the community served by Weymouth Community Hospital.