Trafford General Hospital Fire Door Replacement
The replacement and upgrade of fire doors within a hospital environment, for a client within the Healthcare sector.
Novus was awarded a contract with a long standing client within the healthcare sector for fire door replacements and upgrades within a hospital environment.
Our relationship with the client
Novus has worked with this client on a number of occasions over the course of approximately 6 years. Operating within the healthcare sector, we have conducted numerous large and small projects for the client during that time.
What works did Novus carry out?
As this is the first phase of many, our team worked very closely with the design team on the project to ensure all the requirements were met and standardised. Novus conducts these types of works in phases as this approach allows a large project of this size and scale to be broken down into manageable, bitesize chunks from an operational management perspective. Plus, the phased approach offers greater budgetary control over the project. Furthermore, we minimise disruption to the client, which is essential in this kind of hospital environment. Novus works closely with the architects to assist in the specification of the fire doors to be used at the hospital, confirming both the design required and that they conform to any regulations. We then source the fire doors from a local specialist company based in the North West, who supply the doors to be installed by our teams.
Why did the client choose Novus?
Both our long-standing relationship with the client and local knowledge within the team, puts Novus in a strong position. Existing relationships with stakeholders and departments enable us to communicate to specific departments efficiently, avoid disruption, and assist with planning. We adopt a non-confrontational manner and a collaborative approach with the client and design team. Novus has a reputation of good operational organisation and project management, with the correct levels of site supervision. We have a constant site presence, which allows us to plan for long term, rather than being short sighted and reactionary. The result is that we have always received very positive feedback from this client and demonstrate an excellent health & safety record.
Aside from the fire door replacements, what other works were involved?
The project included any additional necessary work in order to facilitate the installation of the fire doors. This included:
- Asbestos surveys
- Electrical isolations
- Firestopping
- Decoration & builders works.
What makes this project stand out?
Working within a live environment within the hospital always presents a challenge. However, the adjacent departments being the children’s ward and physiotherapy department, the nature of the work itself (compliance), and all during a pandemic, makes this stand out as a particularly challenging project.
What challenges were faced?
Our expertise and experience within the team of working within live healthcare settings and in compliance, was invaluable in overcoming these challenges.
Some of the controls and measures we put in place included:
- Dust controls such as HEPA filter hoovers and cutting completed off-site
- Working patterns adjusted to minimise disruption
- Adopting a proactive rather than reactive approach
- Putting tight Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout – Correct PPE, Social Distancing, and the Novus Covid control measures as per guidance we have in place.
- Everyone on-site received the Covid-19 vaccine
- Liaising with departments concerning noise issues – department staff were given managers’ and supervisors’ contact numbers to call in the event of excessive noise (no calls/complaints received to date).
