Project name: Alexandra Hospital
Location: Redditch
Contractor: Interclass Plc
Products used: Precast Lift Shafts Ibstock has played a small, but key role in a fast-paced project being led by main contractor Interclass PLC on a site at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.
Work started on the construction of two new operating theatres with recovery space, associated staff offices and welfare changing rooms during February this year and is scheduled for completion this November. Two lift shafts - made to order by Ibstock – will link the existing building to the new recovery areas and theatres.
Matthew Thornton, Construction Manager with main contractor Interclass commented: “The deadline for this scheme is a demanding one. One area that presented a challenge was in the provision and installation of two concrete lift shafts within a confined space. Therefore, the decision was taken to go down the precast route and, having successfully worked on a number of projects with Ibstock, commissioned them to carry out the work.
“The lift shafts were made to order by Ibstock and installed adjacent to each other and the individual concrete blocks had to be craned in over the site and vehicle access was very tight.
“The support from Ibstock throughout the process was ‘top-notch’ – from the planning stage, manufacturing the bespoke items within a tight timeframe; and theirteam’s installation of the concrete lift shafts within the single storey building."
Tom Randell, Business Development Lead with Ibstock, commented: “We manufactured the lift shafts over a 5-week period at our production facility in Castledawson, Northern Ireland, where we are able to offer clients a flexible, bespoke modular design.
“The off-site construction of our precast lift shafts minimises disruption on-site and can definitely help accelerate programmes. Not only are they quick and easy to install, but they reduce labour site costs and reduce health and safety risks.
“Normally a lift shaft of this size would be created in five sections, but due to the client’s irregular size request, we decided to produce the units in smaller sections for logistical reasons. Therefore, each lift shaft comprised of nine self-supporting precast box sections weighing up to 6.2 tonnes each. Our lift shafts are normally produced to a thickness of 140mm but, to meet the customer specification on this occasion, we went up to 200mm and this meant altering the existing mould.
“The contractor recognised that a precast concrete solution for the lift shafts provided them with an element of flexibility with their building programme which a cast on site solution wouldn’t offer. Both lift shafts were installed in unison on the same day with a high level of accuracy by our experienced installation team.
“Ibstock also produced precast concrete stairs to this particular site which were installed successfully by the steel frame contractors Ballard Engineering Ltd."
A major factor in the contract being awarded to Ibstock was the bespoke service covering the manufacture, supply and fitting of the precast concrete lift shafts. The individual concrete blocks are manufactured off-site, thereby keeping disruption down to a minimum.
The speed of installation is also a key consideration. In the case of the Alexandra Hospital, the lift shafts were installed at the hospital in less than a day. This results in reduced site labour costs as well as helping to minimise health and safety risks.