National Rehabilitation Hospital, Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Project Details:

ABM coordinated and liaised with those working in the live environment to ensure disruption is minimised. Protection of the public and staff was of paramount concern in a live hospital environment.

Management, delivery & control of the mechanical and electrical work specialists on site with multiple connections into existing live hospital services maintaining life safety systems in the main hospital throughout the works.

ABM provided a detailed programme and schedule for phased delivery, daily co-ordination with the Hospital was required to ensure the Hospital operations were not impacted during the works.

BCAR compliance including Design Certifier and Contractor’s Certification and performing all duties of PSCS.

Comply with requirements of Fire Certificate and DAC Certificate and liaise with NRH and their agents.

All Testing Certificates was provided to the Assigned Certifier as the works and testing progresses.

Commissioning of building and ancillary services and handover of complete ‘in full working order’ Certify and complete the project in accordance with the new construction is fully certified.

Provision of all certifications, maintenance manuals, health and safety records and documentation required under the contract in accordance with current legislation and regulation on completion of the works.

Hand over completed and ready for occupation on or before Completion Date. The requirement was for a turn-key provision, i.e. building ready to be used immediately by the NRH Management.

CBP Lounge, (51st & Green), Terminal 2, Dublin Airport.

ABM was Main Works Contractor and PSCS for this project and provided full contracts management to the DAA throughout the full contract period. An extremely high level of finish was maintained throughout the fit‐out consistent to the client brief, including low voltage lighting features & artwork to help create this executive specification.

Scope of Works

Soft demolition of existing cellular offices
Strip back existing mechanical and electrical services New stud partitions
Supply and install new raised access floor
Supply and install new floor finishes including terrazzo tiling
Supply and install new layered ceiling including stretched fabric and plasterboard
Supply and install new wall finishes including solid surface elements
Supply and install new joinery including new fitted furniture; servery; barista bar
Supply and installation of doors and ironmongery
Existing wc blocks renovations including supply and installation of new sanitary ware and finishes
Supply and install new loose furniture
Supply and install new motorised blinds to external windows
Modifications to existing external cobble‐lock ramps and handrails
Modifications to existing external facade
Lighting & ceiling features
Re-locations of existing mechanical equipment (Fan coil units) within lounge
Supply, Installation and commissioning of new mechanical equipment
Supply, installation and commissioning of sprinkler system to suit layout
Supply, installation and commissioning of new light fittings
Supply, installation and commissioning of small power and data outlets
Supply, installation and commissioning of new fire alarm equipment onto existing system
Supply, installation and commissioning of specialist systems e.g. access control; CCTV & flight information screens.

Ballyogan Environmental & Waste Management Facility, Dublin 18.

The complex design began in 2002 which demonstrates the scale and complexity of the project. The depot is located on a 2.4 Ha. site adjacent to the former Ballyogan municipal landfill.

Project Details

The project entailed the construction of:

A three storey over part basement administration building
A separate utility block including salt barn, equipment stores, basement plant room and two storey staff accommodation area
Hard paving for parking of service vehicles and open air storage bins for stockpiling of materials
Staff car park
Boundary Walls and Site Services
Reno mattress
Grassed swale area

Buildings

The utility building comprises of changing room and locker facilities for Council staff. Beyond these areas there are unheated and generally uninsulated modular bays which are used for high rack storage of materials. A large section of the utility building also accommodates the Council’s road gritting supplies. The utility building is naturally lit with clerestory glazing throughout which reduces the amount of artificial lighting required. Its structural timer gluluam roof beams are exposed internally, while outside, along with the administration building is finished with sedum planting to encourage wildlife and mitigate water run-off.

The administration building comprises of narrow floor plates over three floors and, like the utility building, is defined spatially and formally by the basic structure. Each floor is made entirely of timber to create a low energy naturally ventilated building which maximizes passive energy sources. The windows to the south side are designed to slide open in fine weather. This creates completely open structure to the park landscape. The external glass fins protect the south elevation from the prevailing winds and the external blinds protect against overheating during sunny periods.

The amount of internal finishing required is greatly reduced, simply by exposing the structure and carefully coordinating the services within the structural frame. In order to achieve the greatest reduction in CO2 possible, it is made from all timber frame and natural products. Precast concrete cladding elements on the administration building is patterned with board markings whilst the lower external panels on both building have precise bamboo moldings.

Both Utility and Administration buildings are fueled by a wood pellet biomass system which supplies low pressure hot water and hot water services to both buildings. This acts as the primary heating system. Both buildings’ hot water is also supplied from a supplementary evacuated tube solar heating system which is located on the utility building roof. The secondary heating system is run off two 93% efficient gas boilers.

IBM Geodis

With our partners, GSE we designed and built this 300,000 ft² logistics warehouse in just 12 months. The site construction phase took just 6 months which, by any standards, is an extremely tight timeframe within which to take a project of this scale from Greenfield site to turnkey building.

The IBM/Geodis warehouse at Mulhuddart in Dublin is a prime example of our ability to fast track a major project using innovative technology and construction methods.
The warehouse, which is used for the storage and retrieval of IBM components, and finished servers, is connected by an automated conveyor link to IBM’s computer manufacturing facility in Damastown, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15.

One of the most complex aspects of the project was the requirement to fit 40 dock levellers and doors to cater for the secure loading and unloading of 40ft container trucks.

The installation of docking doors is universally regarded as an extremely complicated and technologically challenging task. As a result, contractors always wait until the concrete structure of a building is in place before they embark on this particular phase of a project.

ABM Construction, on the other hand, adopted a unique approach to fast-tracking this phase. By manufacturing dock leveller systems off-site, we shaved at least 30% off the normal construction time that would be required for a project of this scale. The IBM logistics warehouse for example might have taken 12 months to complete using traditional construction methods, but we completed it in just over half of that time, thus making substantial savings in time and money.

Terminal 1 Multi Storey Car Park, Dublin Airport. (Refurbishment)

This project was for the refurbishment of the Terminal 1 Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) Block A, B, C and Atrium, at Dublin Airport (Land side). The existing Terminal 1 MSCP’s were originally built in the years 1993 -1998.

Block A was opened in 1993 and has a capacity of 500 spaces
Block B was opened in 1996 and has a capacity of 600 spaces
Block C was opened in 1998 and has a capacity of 1,250 spaces

All three car parks were required to be totally refurbished, with exceptions in some areas, but with a view to upgrading the customer experience both internally and externally.

The car parks are constructed of concrete post tensioned flat slabs to Blocks A+B and concrete post tensioned beams supporting concrete flat slabs to Block C. The objective of the refurbishment is to provide an improved customer experience that will be in line with the existing Terminal 2 car park at Dublin Airport.

The existing Atrium received a general strip down and clean up of circulation areas including new louvers. All surfaces were redecorated with the exception of the floor plate. In the car parking areas new white line markings were applied and crossing line of the car parking spaces refurbished.

Existing railings and guardings were redecorated in place. Where excessive corrosion had occurred the affected areas were cut back and/or reinstated. All drainage systems were cleaned down and redecorated with some aco drains required to be replaced.

Existing structural damages where identified by consulting engineers where cracking of ramps, columns and areas of slab were addressed. External roof repairs were identified and sealed to stop existing routes of water ingress and the Ticket Pay Area was refurbished and upgraded to the entrance.

Sneem Hotel & Apartment Development, Co. Kerry.

Project Details:

Half of the rooms offer sea views with premium suites also having terraces.
The function room can accommodate 300 no. people comfortably and is equipped with state-of-the-art event and conferencing facilities.
The hotel has a sauna, hot tub and gymnasium.
The ground floor incorporates a large bar and a restaurant which seats 70 no. diners.
Four of the ground floor bedrooms are fully equipped for use by persons with physical disabilities and each has a connecting door to the next room.
ABM installed a wheelchair suitable lift for access to the leisure area, sauna, hot tub and gymnasium.
All facilities have been inspected and approved by the Irish Wheelchair Association.
The hotel section of the development was completed in 17 months and to achieve this fast-track programme the building structure was manufactured off-site using an insulated light gauge steel frame system which eliminated more traditional methods of construction such as in-situ concrete and block work. This allowed the on-site works to the structure, including windows and roof, to be completed in record time.
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 design also incorporated the use of bathroom pods, delivered completely furnished to site and hoisted into position.
All fit-out works were undertaken by ABM to extremely high specifications and the project also involved extensive on and off-site works along with landscaping and ancillary site works and paving.

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:

Civil Works included the 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.

Finishes:

Finishes include hot dip galvanised duct covers, hot dip galvanised louvered doors along with all necessary drainage provisions.
The internal wall and ceilings were finished with a proprietary concrete sealer followed by two coats of white emulsion.
Floors are treated with a proprietary non-slip polyurethane coating.
External finishes were applied to match with that of the surrounding buildings.

Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.

Project Details:

Demolition works, strip out of existing areas, noise and dust control, live occupied site with restricted access work.

Architects designed fire escape stair using a louvered effect glazed panels that floods natural light into the stair well makes for bright transition from ground floor to first. New stair installation with balustrading and floor finishes. The project was completed in 16 week timescale.

The general scope of works were as follows:

Concrete pad footings
Strip Footings
Ground, edge and internal Beams
Column footings
Suspended slabs
Retaining Walls
External Stair and ramps
Concrete stairs and steps including concrete threads to steel stairs
Concrete up stands
Install all Base plates, holding down bolts (including assembling)
DPM’s & All Waterproofing
Demolition works
Windows to be removed including cutting of any reveals and making good
Blocking up windows and doors
Paths, ramps and steps
Exiting handrails
Removal of front entrance doors and windows including up stands, top reveal, removal of plaster to columns, removal and storage of tiles, 1 row of external pavers and storage, forming new step in concrete as per architects details for new windows and doors, including installation of poles for door sensors / guards.

Westend Retail Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. (Units 7 – 11)

This project was carried out in a ‘live’ working environment. Construction work was carried out while normal trading continued. Careful construction planning was required to eliminate many of the risks that are associated with working in an operational environment.

Project Details

This project involved the relocation of a number of existing retailers within the park to new units.
When relocation had been completed, some of the existing units were sub-divided and mezzanine floors incorporated into the layout.
Internal alterations also took place in Units 3 and 4. Internal works in the project included the installation of lifts, staircases and high specification metalwork, lighting and glazing.
The new unit for the Next Group consisted of the construction of a 2,000 sq. m unit with three floors. The external envelope was finished in a combination of stone cladding and curtain walling.
External work included service connections to public mains supply, paving, the upgrading of the entire traffic management system, the installation of a new paved walkway with a glass canopy and all associated civil engineering works.
All internal and external finishes were completed to an extremely high standard.
This project was carried out in a ‘live’ working environment – construction work was carried out while normal trading continued.
Careful construction planning was required to eliminate many of the risks that are associated with working in an operational environment. An example of some of the potential that risks that ABM successfully managed on this project included the presence of live services such as the electricity supply to adjacent retail units and street lighting, water supply and drainage.
Prior to working on-site, the induction of all staff and subcontractors, which ABM carries out on all projects, included training in working with live services specific to this project.
During the enabling and construction works, regular ground surveys were carried out and specific risk assessments completed at each stage to ensure that live services were not affected by the works. Where disruption of services was avoidable, such as installation of new surface and foul drainage, works were completed outside of trading hours to eliminate the impact to other retail units.
ABM programmed the project in phases in order to accommodate the continuance of business on the premises without any disruption to the client(s) whilst works were underway.
All health and safety matters, including traffic management, took high priority due to the constant requirement for access to the premises by members of the general public.
ABM maintained their excellent Health and Safety record throughout the project.

George’s Square, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. (Mixed Use Development)

The site was located in the main street of Balbriggan and was bound by an existing library, an existing hotel and public road. To allow excavation of the basement, the site was piled using CFA piles on three sides with ground anchors used to support the piles. The foundations were piled using both continuous flight augered (CFA) and odex piling to accommodate the varying ground conditions. The basement structure was a traditional reinforced concrete frame design with a 600 mm podium slab to support the basement structures.

Project Details

Multi-purpose Development at George’s Square

The main structure of this development consisted of a 22 no. bedroom extension to the existing five-storey Bracken Court Hotel, 1,600 sq.m three-storey offices for Fingal County Councils’ new Library and Town Council offices, 18 no. one and two bedroom apartments and a 350 sq. m new function room off the existing hotel. A total of four retail units were located below both the offices and the hotel extension.

Refurbishment Works to Existing Library

During the project, additional work instructions were issued involving the existing Fingal Balbriggan Public Library. The existing library was gutted and refurbished to incorporate a first floor level connection between the library and the main development retail area. This connection was made by installing a mezzanine level and balcony.
A glass and timber thread stairs on an exposed steel structure was installed to accommodate access between levels.
Other fit-out works carried out within the library included dry-lining existing walls, construction and finishing of stud partition walls to create offices and all internal wall and ceiling finishes.

Refurbishment Works to Existing Hotel

As part of this project an extension to the existing hotel was constructed and the fit-out carried out by ABM.
These works included fit-out of the bedrooms and bathrooms and refurbishment works to the section of existing hotel that was broken out to accommodate the new extension.
Works to the extension also involved the construction of a function room which was fitted out with acoustic timber paneling, an entertainment system and a fully fitted dedicated kitchen area to support events such as conferences and weddings.
Additional work instructions were also issued during the project which involved the refurbishment works to Fingal Balbriggan Library, the addition of an extra floor to the hotel extension and extensive works as part of the Balbriggan Town Square upgrade.

Live Site

All works were carried out whilst the site was ‘live’.
There was no disruption to local businesses who continued to trade as normal.
ABM implemented a traffic management system which allowed for all areas to remain functional and open to the public, retailers etc throughout this project which was phased to allow for all works to be undertaken whilst eliminating any safety issues which may otherwise have arisen.

Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School

Project Details:

ABM’s role in the project was as Main Contractor and Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS) undertaking 100% of the Construction works and Lead Designer and Project Manager of the Design and Build project.
The foundation detail consisted of reinforced strip footings which were then poured, with 20mm diameter starter bars which were cast in to the strip footings at approximately 1.8m centres. These were cast absolutely plumb and set out in accordance with O’ Reilly Precast Concrete drawings, to align with the cores in the precast wall panels.
13No subfloor blockwork then built incorporating sub floor drainage within the footprint of the building. Reinforced hollowcore slabs were then installed. 100mm insulation and a 75mm screed made up the ground floor screed.
The building frame was constructed using precast concrete wall panels and hollowcore concrete floor slabs topped with concrete screed. Some structural steel was incorporated into the concrete frame design and installation to facilitate cantilevered slab areas and flat roofs. The prefabricated wall panels and hollowcore slabs were delivered on an as-needed basis.
The concrete frame was erected in 3 parts, allowing for screeding works to be ongoing in one area, while precast walls and hollowcore slabs were being installed in another area. The buildings external envelope was made up of 90mm insulation fitted tight to the outer face of the precast wall panel, 60mm air cavity, with rendered blockwork, brickwork and areas of outer brick cladding and some rain screen granite stone cladding.
Structural opes were formed in the precast wall panels at production stage, following BIM coordination of M&E service requirements. This allowed for installation of mechanical and electrical containment and ventilation to pass between wall and floors.
A PVC membrane roofing system was installed on site. The roofing consisted of a metal decking, 120mm PIR insulation and PVC membrane top coat fixed to a structural steel frame fixed to the precast walls at ground floor, 1st floor and 2nd floor level with sheeting rail roof supports at the requisite centres to support the roof sheets. The 2 part and single part roofing was made up a sedum green roof.