Electrical Package for Bolton Sixth Form College Extension

Introduction

Bolton Sixth Form College, located on Deane Road, embarked on an ambitious project to expand its campus with a new three-story extension. This state-of-the-art building is dedicated to advancing engineering and digital skills education, featuring:

• Eight new classrooms
• Two new workshops
• Four new offices
• Additional staff areas, one-on-one meeting spaces, and plant and storage rooms

The goal was to create a dynamic environment that fosters innovation in microengineering and digital education. ConneX Electrical was entrusted with delivering the full electrical package for the project.

The Project

ConneX Electrical’s responsibilities encompassed:

Containment Installation:

• Deployment of a variety of containment systems, customised to the needs of each floor.
• 1st & 2nd Floors (classrooms): Combination of three-compartment Dado trunking, wire baskets, galvanised conduit, galvanised trunking, PVC conduit, and trays, all suspended with UniStrut frames and threaded rods.
• Ground floor (workshops): Open-ceiling industrial design with galvanised conduit, trunking, and tray systems, crafted with precision to meet the aesthetic and functional needs of the space.

Power Distribution:

• Installation of a new 250A main supply into the building
• Integration of a 250A incomer into a main section board in the plant room, distributing power to nine submain supplies.
• Installation of nine distribution boards supporting over 120 circuits, including both single-phase and three-phase configurations, to serve lighting, power, and plant requirements.

Lighting System:

• Installation of a sophisticated lighting system incorporating:
• LCMs (Lighting Control Modules)
• Emergency lighting
• Motion and presence detectors
• On-site programming to tailor the system to the college’s needs, ensuring energy efficiency and functionality.

Collaborative Work:

• Coordination with mechanical contractors and the Building Management System (BMS) team to deliver a streamlined, functional, and efficient plant room installation.

The Delivery

The project required a high level of technical expertise and seamless collaboration due to
the complexity of the design and the high-performance standards expected. ConneX

Electrical:

• Delivered all works to exact specifications, ensuring the containment systems met both aesthetic and industrial-grade standards.
• Ensured the lighting systems were programmed and tested for optimal performance, aligning with the college’s operational requirements.
• Worked closely with partners to minimise delays and maintain a smooth workflow in the plant room, balancing power distribution and mechanical needs effectively.

Results

The new extension of Bolton Sixth Form College stands as a testament to modern engineering and design excellence, thanks to ConneX Electrical’s meticulous execution of the electrical systems. Key achievements include:

• A fully operational power and lighting system tailored to educational and workshop needs.
• Completion of a highly technical project on schedule, ensuring the building was ready for the next academic term.
• Successful integration of a collaborative plant room design that supports both electrical and mechanical systems seamlessly.

Client Feedback

The Main Contractor praised ConneX Electrical for their precision, adaptability, and commitment to delivering a high-quality electrical package. while offering additional labour and committing to tight deadlines throughout the project to ensure its delivery was instrumental in the project’s success.

Conclusion

ConneX Electrical’s expertise in delivering complex electrical infrastructure enabled Bolton Sixth Form College to achieve their vision of an innovative, future-ready educational facility. From tailored containment systems to advanced lighting solutions, every detail of the project was executed with care and precision, ensuring the extension will serve the college’s needs for years to come.