G&H divisions complete Don Valley Academy

Two divisions in the G&H Group have completed the M&E and off-site fabrication works at the new £14m Don Valley Academy.

The contract with BAM Construction saw G&H Building Services and Fabrication divisions working together to deliver a range of services ahead of schedule.

G&H Fabrication took just three weeks to build, test, deliver and install the majority of the main plant room instead of six weeks if the work was carried out on site.

The main pipework headers and pump sets, which were mounted on a skid, were manufactured in the purpose built fabrication facility at G&H Group’s headquarters.

It meant engineers could access all areas of the plant room area without the hindrance of walls and structural steelwork and then test it, make any adjustments there and then and test again prior to dispatch to site.

This approach also allowed engineers to spend less time on site, freeing up space for other trades and reducing congestion.

G&H Building Services designed and built full mechanical and electrical services including a passive, ventilation system in classrooms, rainwater harvesting to increase sustainability levels and connected to a district heating scheme being developed by E.ON.

Managing Director at the G&H Group, Graham Kelly, said: “This was a major project that demonstrated the benefit of our comprehensive approach as we made best use of our Building Services and Fabrication divisions.

“By co-ordinating the scheme in-house, we were able to design, build and deliver the M&E in a far more efficient and controlled way, increasing the speed and improving the quality.”

The new facility includes a secondary school, primary school and a central events hub for 1,200 children.