Case Studies
Network Rail, New Headquarters, King's Place
Bovis Lend Lease, Research Facility
Live Manufacturing Facility - Clean Environment
Major Pharmaceutical Company - Live Laboratory Environment
Network Rail, The Mailbox, Birmingham
Leading Pharmceutical Company, Tonbridge
Network Rail, New Headquarters
STOP PRESS: Kings Place, London has taken the British Council for Offices' highest accolade after being named 'Best of the Best' at the prestigious annual awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Tuesday 6 October 2009. Read the full news article.
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Network Rail's new headquarters is located in the prestigious King's Place building, near to King's Cross Station in London. Designed by celebrated architects Dixon-Jones, Kings Place brings together under one roof a creative hub, a dining venue, a conference and events centre, and office complex. All seven levels above ground floor at Kings Place are commercial office space, with Network Rail occupying the 4th and 6th floors. Each floor is designed so that companies occupying the offices can bring together as many people as they can on one level, with the aim to promoting staff interaction and in a more creative environment. Kings Place has exceptionally large floor areas, with good access to external and internal vistas and natural light. |
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Client Requirements
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Ponte Comm's brief was to complete a full structured cabling upgrade of the 4th and 6th floors to accommodate Network Rail's current and future cabling requirements, as follows: |
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Ponte Comm Solution:
Planning
We worked closely with the main contractor Overbury throughout all building site works. Project scheduling required that all first fix cabling to be installed under floor in the first three weeks of the project. Terminations and testing followed in a phased manner as floorboxes and rooms became available. The project was delivered over a 4-month period.
DeliveryThe project was specified to a new structured cabling system utilising ADC Krone TrueNet UTP LSF Category 6 cabling and components throughout. As an ADC Krone Authorised Integrator, Ponte Comm was able to provide a full warranty on the system. To allow greatest flexibility of service, the open plan office areas were cabled to mixture of strategically placed floorboxes and to desk-mounted POD boxes fed through Kopex from floor grommets. To further increase flexibility, 5m loops of cable were encased in Kopex and left coiled under the floor, thus allowing future relocation. Resilience was provided with the addition of diversely routed fibre optic cable between the comms room on the different floors. |
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Within the main comms room, cross-connect Cat 6 cable links and inter-cab fibre optic links also enhance the resilience of the system.
Our in-house wireless team completed a wireless survey of the two floors using specialist software and equipment. A full report was provided to Network Rail including illustrated RF results, coverage, AP location photos and recommendations.
Our engineers patched the whole system onto the network in preparation for it going live.
We provided an engineering team onsite to support the Network Rail IT team during the staff relocation programme.
Success |
The project proved to be very successful, with the main contractor and all services working professionally and co-operatively with each other throughout. Project works were completed on time and to budget. Our works were highly commended by Network Rail. |
Bovis Lend Lease, Research Facility
| A leading pharmaceutical company commissioned a new state of the art research development centre. Bovis Lend Lease was the main M&E contractor for this prestigious new development, and Ponte Comm was successful in securing the voice and data works. |  |
Scope of Work:
Our brief was to provide a resilient structured cabling system into the new building. The system consisted of:
- 2,000+ ADC Krone Category 6 outlets
- 90% of outlets installed in IP55-rated enclosures
- 2 x diversely routed 200 pair voice inter-building links
- 2 x diversely routed 144 core singlemode fibre optic inter-building links
- 16 x 36 core diversely routed singlemode fibre optic intra-building links
- Separate, standalone Cat 6 cabling system for CCTV system
- Telemetry cabling for building monitoring system
Planning
This project evolved throughout the planning and implementation stages, and required flexible planning and work practices throughout. With such a quickly developing scope of works, co-operation with all other services and trades onsite was essential to the success of the project. Regular project meetings were held to ensure good communication was maintained with all parties throughout. We were able to adapt to suit the customer's requirements and were effective in delivering changes onsite.
Delivery
The project was specified to a new structured cabling system utilising ADC Krone TrueNet UTP LSF Category 6 cabling and components throughout. As an ADC Krone Authorised Integrator, Ponte Comm was able to provide a full warranty on the system.
The design called for data outlets to be presented in a wide variety of ways: within floorboxes, power poles, dado trunking, ceiling voids and plant rooms. Linking all these presentations was the need for us to house 90% of them in IP55-rated enclosures, to cope with the conditions within the building.
Photo of the type of IP55 rated enclosure (for want of any other pics allowed) - check type provided
Over 2,000 outlets were installed in all, including outlets for the wireless system. In addition, we installed a completely separate Cat 6 data cabling system for the CCTV network of 130 x cameras.
We installed a telemetry cabling system for the building monitoring system.
To provide resilience to the system both the voice and fibre optic backbone cable links were installed along diverse routes. This included both the external inter-building campus backbones, installed via the pit and duct system, and intra-building backbones running through the fabric of the building.
Health and Safety
This project demanded strict compliance to site-specific Health and Safety conditions. Full PPE (personal protective equipment) had to be worn at all times whilst onsite, including hardhat, safety boots, hi-vis vests, gloves and goggles.
Success
- We completed the voice and data to time and budget.
- We were highly commended by both Bovis Lend Lease and the customer for our works.
- The the customer's Infrastructure Manager said that we had done an excellent job and that all tasks had been undertaken in a professional manner.
Live Manufacturing Facility - Clean Environment
In October 2007 a major Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company awarded Ponte Comm the very prestigious Cat6 data cabling of four of their live production buildings. These ranged from a Victorian style warehouse to a typical purpose built manufacturing unit.
Ponte Comm has great experience of working in live environments, however this was a 24/7 production plant. An example of the sensitivity of this working environment, one building is dedicated to the production of asthma inhalers. Adhering to the very strict procedures on site to protect the manufacturing process was non-negotiable.
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Client Requirements: |
Planning
With our dedicated team of containment specialists, we spent approximately 3 weeks surveying the site and were successful in finding routes that had not been thought possible before, allowing minimal containment within the production area. We had an initial deadline from the customer of completion in 8 months. With the project started, this deadline was moved forward by 11 weeks giving less than a 6-month deadline.
Delivery
| As a failsafe, throughout the production facilities a resilient system was installed, with 50% of outlets cabled to one comms room, and 50% to another. No production facilities were disrupted during any of our works. As Principal Contractor Ponte Comm was responsible for the installation of all containment systems and associated builders work openings. We produced O&M Manuals for each building including full test results, CAD drawings, cabinet layouts, ADC Krone warranty. |  |
Success
Ponte Comm delivered the project WITHIN the reduced timescale and 18% UNDER BUDGET, due to:
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The Client's project manager stated at the end of the project: "Your staff are excellent - a very well delivered project."
Network Rail: Manchester Square One Infrastructure Works
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Network Rail Corporate (NWR) acquired a prestigious new office building in Manchester, Square One, located near Piccadilly Station. The new accommodation is 65,000sq feet and the project consisted of cabling the Ground, 1st and 2nd floors.
Ponte Comm was the cabling contractor working for Overbury the fit-out contractor. We completed the design, installation, termination and testing of the ADC Krone Category 6 cabling system, along with fibre optic and voice backbones. |
Clients Requirements
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Category 6 connections for 878 workstations were provided across three floors
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Each workstation consisting of 4 x ADC Krone Cat 6 outlets
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All outlets terminated within each desk
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Additional outlets in each Meeting Room and the Office Serve Centre
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Project consisted of approximately 4,000 outlets
Delivery
We fully installed a Comms Room on each of the floors to house the live and passive network equipment. These were linked to the Main Comms Room via optical fibre and voice cabling backbones, all provided, installed, terminated and tested by Ponte Comm engineers.
SuccessIn facing the many onsite issues during the planning stage, Ponte Comm was able to quickly and effectively manage each situation to provide a positive solution. |
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Ponte Comm continues to be an installer of choice for Network Rail.
Read about Network Rail's Manchester Square One award winning offices.
Major Pharmaceutical Company - Live Laboratory Environment
In 2007 we were awarded a contract to install the Cat6 in a typical 1980's building over 4 floors consisting of a mixture of live laboratories, write-up areas and administration areas.
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Client Requirements:
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Delivery
The project was specified to a new structured cabling system utilising ADC Krone TrueNet UTP LSF Category 6 cabling and components throughout.
| Cabling to laboratory areas was via ceiling mounted high band 12-way consolidation boxes, fully populated to future-proof them for additional cabling requirements. Secondary connections to the user ports were completed on like-for-like basis.
The laboratories and write-up areas works were completed in phases. With careful planning and close liaison with the customer and users, no disruption was incurred by the ongoing research projects. |
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Success
In the original tender the project was to be phased over a 12-month period due to the access restrictions with end users. The deadline was reduced by 3-months, giving an 8-month timescale. Ponte Comm delivered the project WITHIN this reduced timescale.
Due to the effective planning and efficient site management on the ground, the site knowledge of our supervisors and the planned migration work each weekend, the project was delivered within the 8 months deadline.
In addition, our careful re-use of the existing containment system, Ponte Comm saved the customer a considerable amount - approximately 15% of the overall project cost.
This saving allowed for a significant number of extra outlets adding during the course of the project to be paid for under the original contract sum.
Network Rail: The Mailbox, Birmingham
| Ponte Comm recently worked with Network Rail on a Fast Track project in the prestigious Mailbox building in Birmingham.
With the objective of consolidating regionally-based staff in a central location, Network Rail completely refurbished offices on the seventh floor of The Mailbox. A bold futuristic design scheme encompassed all aspects of the open-plan space and mezzanine floor, including specially designed furniture with purpose-built integral flat screen mounts. |
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We installed a bay of four full size cabinets into the Comms Room to accommodate Cat 6 patching (2 x central cabinets), voice patching (1 x outer cabinet) and active equipment (1 x outlet cabinet).
With all services onsite working closely to ensure the timetable was met, the Fast Track project was successfully completed to deadline.
Large Pharmaceutical Company: Tonbridge Site-wide Upgrade Project
A leading pharmaceutical company commissioned a full site upgrade of their Tonbridge site to Krone Cat 6 over a 7 month period, with all 7 main and several smaller older-style buildings all to be included.
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As Main Contractor Ponte Comm project managed all the services onsite, including sub-contract electrical, air-conditioning and building works.
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Adding value, Ponte Comm recommended and offered technical advice on the use of wireless technology onsite.
We then completed a wireless survey, submitted a report and recommendations and installed the wireless Access Points and an Intrusion Detection System.
Success
Strong project management onsite and support from the office-based team, together with good cooperation and communication with all parties resulted in a very successful project being completed to the full satisfaction of the customer.
To discuss your data cabling needs or for a free, no-obligation quotation please call 01276 63773 or email us.
Featured Project
Network Rail's new headquarters is located in the prestigious King's Place building, near to King's Cross Station in London.
Designed by celebrated architects Dixon-Jones, Kings Place brings together under one roof a creative hub, a dining venue, a conference and events centre, and office complex.
Ponte Comm's brief was to complete a full structured cabling upgrade of the 4th and 6th floors.
Latest News
| Ponte Comm have successfully gained BuildingConfidence accreditation via Achilles |  |
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