St. Patrick’s National School, Diswellstown, Dublin 15.

Project Details:

The design team were novated to ABM by the Department of Education.
ABM reviewed the design and modified it to facilitate a faster program with less risk to the client. The traditional 6,000 sq. m of structural block work was replaced with pre-cast concrete walls which were erected in approximately 10 weeks. The project was complete before the programmed completion date and on budget.
Diswellstown’s modular design lent itself to a precast system solution. The precast concrete system was chosen over traditional methods to reduce the construction programme and on-site labour. This system reduced the need for approximately 6,000 sq. m of block and plaster work and ancillary labour.
The new system programme proposals were of advantage to the client mainly due to speed of construction.

The advantages of using precast concrete walls on this project were:

The strength of precast concrete gradually increases over time. Other materials can deteriorate, experience creep and stress relaxation, lose strength and/or deflect over time. Studies have shown that precast concrete products can provide a service life in excess of 100 years.
Precast concrete walls are non-combustible. Also, concrete does not lose its structural capacity as quickly as steel.
Precast concrete increases schedule efficiency as weather will not delay production. In addition, weather conditions on-site do not significantly affect the schedule. This is because it requires less time to install precast compared with other construction methods, such as cast-in-situ concrete.
It is evident from the successful completion of the school that any size of project can be accommodated using a precast solution, hence ABM’s decision to use similar systems on future projects. Additionally, because precast systems are designed and manufactured for simple connection, many of the components could be installed within a short time-frame. Once the windows and roof systems were complete, the building was ‘watertight’ allowing internal finishes to commence.

St. Peter’s National School, Phibsborough, Dublin 7.

Description:

Located on a restricted site in a densely populated part of Dublin City, this project involved a number of challenging and unique elements which ABM successfully overcame.

Working on a “Live” School Site – Prior to the commencement of any works, a temporary school structure was required to be constructed nearby to accommodate 350+ students while construction work was being carried out.
Working with Existing ‘Live’ Services – This site was heavily populated with existing services, some which were maintained and others which were removed or relocated to allow for the construction of the new classrooms. Occasionally, tying into existing services was required, particularly where the new extension met the original school building. Connection to the Dublin City Council public mains was also required where ABM were required to obtain road opening licenses for two separate openings.
Demolition Works – Parts of the existing protected structure, originally built in 1882, had to be demolished. Demolition works included breaking out opes in existing stone walls and the removal of an existing stairwell which was replaced with two new stairwells installed to provide vertical circulation to the building and required to conform with current building regulations. A portion of the site boundary wall, which had been constructed originally of stone, was also demolished and a new reinforced wall structure constructed in its place to support a new classroom building. The adjacent stone walls were pinned down and reinforced during this part of the works.
Removal of Contaminated Waste – Another element of the demolition works involved an environmental cleanup of the site and the removal of asbestos and hydrocarbon contamination for treatment off-site.
Temporary Removal of Materials for Restoration – Another challenge which had to be addressed was the refurbishment of the existing protected structure. In addition to the breaking out of opes to receive the new extension, restoration works were required on elements of the structure. Existing windows, roof tiles and roof trusses were temporarily removed off-site for repair and restoration, existing stonework on-site was cleaned and re jointed.
ABM maintained their excellent health & safety record throughout this project.

Aston Village Educate Together School, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

Project Details:

Schools in rapidly developing areas

The project consisted of the construction of a 16 no. classroom primary school building extension to the existing school.
The existing site encompassed an existing 8 no.classroom school with associated car parking and play areas. It is a self-contained area bounded primarily by residential areas and also agricultural/greenfield lands.
The new build comprised of 16 no. classrooms, a Special Needs Unit, a General Practice room and ancillary accommodation.
External works included the provision of additional car parking, turning circle, sensory garden, additional play areas and landscaping to the site.
The design of the extensions to the existing school both complement and facilitate the full functioning requirements of the existing buildings while complying with all aspects of the planning requirements.
The overall programme for the full Works, i.e. the Contract Period, was 35 weeks.
All civil works were carried out in accordance with The National Roads Authorities guidelines and parameters.
The buildings were constructed to facilitate a passive environment entailing light sensitive light fittings, excellent natural daylight, natural ventilation, air infiltration and water efficiency. The building elements were specified with a high emphasis on sustainability & efficiency.
The Building energy rating survey resulted in the building receiving a highly sustainable building energy rating band of A3.
Other sustainable technology incorporated into the design was a rainwater water harvesting system. Installed to collect rainwater at roof level, the water is then fed by gravity, through a dedicated system of underground medium density polyethylene (MDPE) pipe work to a leaf filter. Leaves and other debris are passed through the storm water system and the “filtered” rainwater is passed by gravity to an underground glass rainwater holding tank. This grey water is then re-used throughout the building.

The staff, pupils and parents of Aston Village Educate Together School were so delighted with their new school that they cooked and served lunch to ABM’s staff and subcontractors in the newly-built school hall.

Athy School, Co. Kildare.

Project Details:

The fast-track schedule was as follows:

Tenders awarded the end of January 2008.
Planning permission for the projects was lodged in early February 2008.
Detail design period prior to the commencement on-site was 10 weeks with a target start date of the end of April 2008.
Planning decision delayed.
Construction on-site commenced on the 7th July 2008.
The school was substantially complete on the 27th November 2008.
Total on-site build time 24 weeks.
The project was completed on time and to a high standard of finish.

Description:

ABM took on the role of project management within the Design and Build Consortium as well as the main contractor.
This particular school consisted of an 8 no. classroom primary school covering approximately 1100 sq. m of teaching and administration space as per the DoE TGD room schedules.
To achieve the fast-track programme, the structural frame was built off-site using a light-weight steel frame system.
This meant that after week 7 of the project the structure was erected and ready for windows and a roof.
Stairwell walls, stair flights, landings, plant room walls and lift shaft walls were manufactured off-site from pre-cast concrete. The roofing consists of insulated Kingspan Kingzip roof panels.
Wherever possible, off-site fabrication of the internal components was used such as pre-hung door sets, internal wall partitions, kitchens, cubicles, and heating pipe work runs.
The project also involved extensive on and off-site civil’s works, in particular, a new storm water drainage system was taken 800 m off-site in order to drain into the river Barrow.
Fusion Building Systems were the system build contractor used on the project. They manufactured a pre-insulated light weight metal load-bearing frame system off-site in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
A key advantage of building off-site is the higher degree of predictability it can offer, reducing the risk of time and cost overruns.
The on-site erection programme for the system was 3.5 weeks. To speed up installation, the design also incorporated precast concrete stair cores and stair flights that were erected ahead of the Fusion system. The benefit of this was that as soon as the 1st floor was decked, safe access was provided via the permanent staircases.
Roof Systems – The roof finishes are a prefabricated Kingspan KS1000 Kingzip roof panel with colour coat HPS200 Plastisol which is 200 microns thick. The advantage of this type of roof finish is that it can be installed simultaneously with the other building elements to allow the building to become watertight. This creates an internal working environment for all internal trades.
Wall Systems – The walls and facade were finished with an Aqua panel exterior cement board and ancillary acrylic finished render system with a breather membrane.
Internal Finishes – The key to the success of this project was to commence internal works as early in the programme as possible. Mechanical and electrical services commenced in week 10 and the building was roofed by week 12. Fast-set screeds were used to allow marmoleum flooring to adhere to the ground floor slab whilst prehung door sets and, where possible, pre- formed furniture were installed.

Advantages of ABM’s Off-site Manufacturing

Sustainability
Off-site manufacturing works in hand with sustainability for the following reasons:

Up to 67 per cent less energy is required to produce a system build project compared to an equivalent traditionally built project.
Off-site manufacturing can generate up to 90 per cent fewer vehicle movements to site, reducing carbon emissions, congestion and disruption.
Off-site construction can reduce on-site waste by up to 90 per cent.

Gaelscoil Dara National School

St. Patrick’s National School, Diswellstown, Dublin 15

Project Details:

This project involved the construction and fit-out of a medical centre and retail development including a carpark.
The medical centre could accommodate in excess of 20 private hospital consultant’s and associated healthcare professional’s surgeries, a large size treatment area containing three treatment cubicles, three specially equipped physio rooms, a dedicated nursing station, an exercise room and a therapy room.
The external treatment of the building included curtain walling, stone cladding panels and a projecting feature window.

Community Nursing Unit at St. Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital, Knocknaheeny, Co. Cork. (50 Beds)

Project Details:

The pods were specifically designed to cater to the end user and incorporate all building regulations, with specific emphasis on TGD Part M.
The pod specification consists of a steel cube like rigid structure with continuous weld joints to a total height of 2517 mm. This unit is finished internally to match a specified finish within the room in which the pod is amalgamated.
A high standard ironmongery and internal finish is incorporated into each pod. These include the installation of ironmongery, sanitary ware, tiling, light fittings switches, accessories, mechanical services (plumbing connections of hot & cold mains water supplies, waste outlets, extraction fans) and electrical services (supply and component installation such as wiring).
All installations are integrated during manufacture leaving the simplistic process of simply connecting the service tails to the building’s main services once the pod is installed on-site. Each pod leaving the factory is fully fitted, fully tested and built to exact specifications, with every detail considered and checked. They are craned into position on-site and the necessary mechanical & electrical connections are made.

Control of Quality:

The manufacturer operates within a controlled environment. They achieve levels of quality and consistency that may be hard to attain on-site due to externalities.

Control of Time Frame:

Using off-site construction as a rapid form of construction, delivery times can be guaranteed, the manufacturer for instance is not at the mercy of the weather as with traditional construction. If necessary, the manufacturer can ramp up production by working weekends or using shift work to meet commitments.

Control of Costs:

Off-site construction is very competitive; finished pods can be delivered to site at exactly the right time to slot in with the construction programme. The overall size of work force required on site is reduced, less risk of accidents, lower insurance premiums & minimal waste disposal on site.

Control of Information:

By using off-site construction, the pod is seen as a package which all trades are involved in from the out-set. This generates an inclusive, pro-active sharing of information, the end result being a pod solution delivered to site which fits seamlessly.

Components

Windows – Glazing consisting of thermally broken aluminum profiles extruded from aluminum alloy complying with BS1474 with 24 mm double glazed units with low ‘e’ argon filled glazing units were installed. The required glazing and curtain wall systems are all prefabricated off-site in a controlled environment. The windows are manufactured simultaneously and delivered to site in bulk. The advantages of this type of window system installation are that they can be installed simultaneously along with the other building elements to allow the building to become watertight. This creates an internal working environment for all internal trades.
Door Systems – In traditional construction, the on-site fabrication and provision of doors, frames, ironmongery, decorating, integrated glazing and ancillary fire stopping can be extremely inefficient. In order to facilitate an advantageous programme, advanced planning composite door sets were used. These door systems ensure total compatibility of sizes, materials and performance.
Roof Systems – The advantages of this particular prefabricated roof system are: quality control, cost of construction, rapid installation, roof shapes – Any roof shape such as gables and hips can be achieved. Trusses are custom made to any design, pitch or span to suit that particular building.
The building was constructed with a high emphasis on build quality & durability using an IBA certified Fusion steel framed building system. The Fusion system is craned into position on-site with extreme efficiency with regard to installation and programme.

Sustainability:

Off-site manufacturing works in hand with sustainability for the following reasons:

Up to 67 per cent less energy is required to produce a system build compared to an equivalent traditionally-built project.
Off-site manufacturing can generate up to 90 per cent fewer vehicle movements to site, reducing carbon emissions, congestion and disruption.
Off-site construction can reduce on-site waste by up to 90 per cent.

Substation – This project involved the construction of free standing Electricity sub-stations in accordance with ESB Networks guidelines and specifications. Incorporated along with these buildings is a corresponding customer switch room to accommodate mains boards, switch gear and meter points.

Civil works – included provision of cast in situ concrete bases and plinths, forming and construction of cast in-situ duct channels and pits, supply and install of earth mats and provision for a 4 hr fire resisting enclosure. All mains cable ducting to ESB Networks nominated connection points including all mini-pillars vaults, joint boxes and earthing points were included in our scope. Adequate provision for vehicular access was also allowed for in design and location of the Sub-Station enclosure.

External finishes – were applied to match with that of the surrounding buildings.

Clontarf Lawn Tennis Club, Dublin 3. (Extension & Refurbishment)

Portmarnock Golf Club Maintenance Facility

This project consisted of the demolition of the existing maintenance facility and decontamination and removal of existing below-ground diesel tanks.

The new facility consisted of 800sqm portal frame with 150sqm of first floor offices. Externally a new 10,000 litre below ground petrol and diesel tank was installed. for the duration of the project the existing irrigation system within the existing structure was kept live and the new facility was constructed around the pump house.

Cloghran House, Dublin Airport. (Office Refurbishment)

The contract involved the repair of the existing roofing membrane to Cloghran House located in Dublin Airport, with a new overlay membrane including vapour barrier, flashings and rainwater goods.

Also the refurbishment included complete third floor office fit out along with mechanical ventilation, electrical fit out, new suspended ceiling, decoration, raised access flooring and associated internal fit out works.

Project Details

Re-roofing of Cloghran House.
Installation of perimeter safety railing system
Restoration of steel work to roof parapets
Fit out of third floor offices East side of building
Fitted kitchen area
Suspended ceilings
Raised access floors & finishes
Lighting and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
Partitions and glazing