H.M. Electrics Ltd completed a comprehensive electrical installation with main contractor Heron Bros at Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex. The £30million landmark for Ards and North Down Borough Council contains a variety of facilities ranging from an Aqua Centre, a dome-covered synthetic turf training area, sports halls, luxury spa, fitness studios, administration and multi-use rooms as well as a range of external amenities. Also included is the Blacklight Adventure Zone, comprising of adventure golf, climbing walls and high ropes.
Ensuring that this BIM Level 2 multifaceted project got off to a speedy start required detailed collaboration with all disciplines for clash detection and problem solving. Each area brought different challenges for H.M. Electrics, and the company had to call on its extensive expertise on leisure projects.
“With so many diverse areas under one roof, the use of BIM was essential in the coordination of the tight service voids and routes,” explained Hugh Martin McAlary, BIM Coordinator.
H.M. Electrics was responsible for the entire electrical installation, including internal, external and emergency lighting and auto-test system installations, fire detection and refuge systems, security, CCTV (internal and external), PA and AV systems, and extensive mechanical wiring. Renewable energies such as a huge PV panel installation, electric vehicle charging and a wide-ranging data and communications installation were included. The project also placed a number of additional demands on H.M. Electrics that required specialist solutions.
Declan McAlary, Operations Director, stated, “Due to the complexity of the project, with multi disciplines all under one roof, we had to set aside additional time at the procurement stages throughout the contract to ensure we could meet the client’s and contractor’s requirements within the timeframes provided. The efficient co-ordination of services and trades was essential to synchronise each space and task. This state- of-the art development is designed to last a lifetime with its technology advanced systems spanning the entire building.”
He added, “This attention to detail reflects the passion and pride that H.M. Electrics takes in every project and demonstrates the company’s forward-thinking philosophy.” This leisure facility is the largest H.M. Electrics has completed to date within the company’s ever-growing portfolio of leisure schemes which include, Omagh, Magherafelt, Antrim Forum, Cookstown, and Maghera.
H.M. Electrics Ltd, 95 Glen Road, Maghera, BT46 5JG
T: 028 7964 2112
E: enquiries@hmelectrics.com
W: www.hmelectrics.com
Sub Contractors
Building Protection Systems (NI) Ltd delivered a turnkey fire and security package at the Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex.
In addition to the design, supply and commissioning of the fire and security systems it was instructed to undertake, the fire and security specialists also installed the entire system. The project didn’t require sounders on it and it was integrated with the overall PAVA system. Both of these aspects required high levels of co-ordination between BPS and electrical contractor, H.M. Electrics, and other third party systems, including PAVA, fire dampers, plant controls etc.
“This is a superb project to be involved in,” explained Calvin Adams, Managing Director of BPS. “We are accustomed to coordinating with other contractors on projects of this size but this one offered a few unique challenges.
“We have extensive industry experience and the hard work put in place at the planning stages of the project made sure everything ran smoothly when we arrived on site. It’s all about developing a partnership approach.”
The variety of facilities incorporated into this landmark £30million complex added to the challenges faced by the team from BPS when it came to installing the security system.
Clive Kinnear, Senior Manager at BPS, went on to explain, “BPS were also involved in two security main disciplines on the project – CCTV and intruder alarms.
“For the intruder alarms, we installed both perimeter detection and movement detection throughout. With CCTV we had to deal with the challenge of so many different aspects of the complex and find solutions that best matched each location. “This included pan, tilt and zoom cameras in some areas and static CCTV in others, selected to provide video surveillance which best suited the application. We provided both internal and external solutions, including the car-park and outdoor play parks, all recorded onto local network video recorders.
With over 35 years’ experience, BPS has grown to become one of the largest independently- owned specialist electronic fire and security services company headquartered in Northern Ireland, but now providing F&S solutions Northern Ireland, the UK mainland and the Republic of Ireland.
Building Protection Systems (NI) Ltd
T: 028 9045 5111
E: sales@bpsni.co.uk
W: www.bpsni.co.uk
Eclipse Controls , a Value Added Partner for Philips Dynalite lighting control, and supplier of Pharos Architectural Controls, provided a wide range of expert solutions for this project. Through consultation, demos and strategic planning, Eclipse Controls designed a custom solution that conveys a welcoming and modern, look and feel to the new complex and is bespoke to the client’s needs. Throughout the project onsite support and relevant equipment was provided.
Using Philips Dynalite networked control system, Eclipse Controls provided system design, equipment supply, and onsite support to the electrical contractor, H.M. Electrics, and final commissioning and handover. This also included end-user training of a fully networked DALI lighting control system for the front of house, customer and external areas. The system is fully monitored by the Philips Dynalite System Manager building management software.
Installed in the back of house was Philips OccuSwitch DALI standalone control sensors. Pharos Touch Panel Controllers (TPC) were used as a cost-effective solution to provide custom designed user interfaces at various locations in the building. These touch screens were seamlessly integrated with the overall Dynalite system, providing one simple access method for all lighting control systems.
The Pharos Lighting Playback Controller (LPC) was integrated into the system to provide dynamic control of the RGB recessed lighting in the spin studio while still delivering full control of the white lighting from the Pharos TPC touchscreen controllers. For the swimming pool floods, Philips Coreline Tempo LED Large Swimming Pool Floods were installed. Eclipse provided the full design and supply of the lighting to all three of the pool halls. These luminaires were provided with a special swimming pool protection to prevent against corrosion in this harsh environment.
Philips Vaya Freeform was used for the backlit panels in the spa area, providing flexibility and IP66 rating credentials. Following a demo for the luminous textile system, the design team chose to install two interactive Philips Luminous Textiles panels to achieve a unique feature for the reception and the heated lounge area in the spa. The Spin Studio lamps were fitted with Philips Color Kinetics MR16 RGB to provide dynamic, colour change lighting that is integrated into the overall system using the Pharos PC. A custom-built Lightnet Matric linear luminaire was designed and supplied to the underside of the feature stairs in the main atrium and a ProLED M Line Profile and LED flex strip for the hand rails on the feature stairs in the main atrium of the building.
Eclipse Controls, Unit 4, Carrigaline Industrial Estate, Crosshaven Road, Carrigaline, Co. Cork.
T: 00353 (0)21 2355714
E: info@eclipsecontrols.ie
W: www.eclipsecontrols.ie
NMK Engineering takes pride in the company’s ability to listen, input ideas and find the most effective and efficient solutions, and at Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex all these attributes were on full display.
The company was tasked with delivering the lighting solutions that met the requirements of the general areas of the new complex as well as in the changing rooms and gym.
“The focus was on matching the aesthetics with performance, which is generally not an issue for us, but on this project, we ran into a few challenges,” explained Neil McKnight, NMK Engineering.
“The consultant wanted the lighting from the general areas to match that in the changing room but, as these areas require specialist lighting to protect them from corrosion caused by chlorine vapours, we had to go back to the drawing board.
“We worked closely with our manufacturing partners, Fagerhult, and had the fittings Nano coated to offer the necessary protection. It is a clear finish that is not visible to the naked eye and it also has no effect on the performance of the light.”
The success of the project has also offered new opportunities. “In the past we have worked on many different projects, but chlorinated environments generally cause problems with lighting. To now have a viable solution to this problem is a great asset to our offering going forward.”
T: 028 9048 0562
E: info@nmkengineering.co.uk
W: www.nmkengineering.co.uk
Audio Visual (AV) communication specialist, MGA Communication Ltd, matched the scale and co-ordination challenges of Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex with a tailored solution that reflects the company’s attention to detail.
The company provided a variety of different products, ranging from the public address / voice alarm, video wall, digital signage, IPTV, IP-infrastructure, induction loop, refuge alarm, pool alarms and assisted call systems. The PAVA system was particularly challenging, with the main PAVA system consisting of 30 plus zones with approximately 12 distributed sound racks throughout the different rooms.
The new landmark centre incorporates a variety of different facilities and the scale of the project matched with the high levels of co-ordination required with other contractors made it a challenge, but not one that fazed the MGA Communication team.
“We have worked on many leisure centres in the past and while Ards was quite unique none of the challenges put before us offered us any real difficulties,” explained Aaron McKeown, Managing Director.
As recognised AV experts, the team at MGA Communication Ltd has worked on many prestigious projects across a wide range of sectors, not just in Northern Ireland but also across the UK and Ireland.
The scope of the company’s business is the supply, installation and commissioning of audio visual and communication systems, providing sales and technical support during the life cycle of the system(s) provided. This includes the design, delivery and management of both private and public sector projects.
Established in 1994, the company comprises a team of highly competent, trained and dedicated professionals, technical field staff and office support personnel, working together to provide top quality solutions for the company’s many customers.
MGA Communication Ltd, 55 Antrim Road, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AN
T: 0044 (0)28 9756 5614
E: enquiries@mgacom.co.uk
W: www.mgacom.co.uk
