Vickers Oils

Client:

Leeds-based Vickers Oils is an independent family company specialising in the development, manufacture and worldwide marketing of technical lubricants for the marine, textile, and food and beverage industries.

Challenge:

In October 2020, Vickers wanted to upgrade the existing 300-point Tyco ADT fire system at their Hunslet premises, which includes a factory, offices, distribution warehouse and R&D laboratories, to replace a system installed over 20 years before which was beginning to develop faults. As pandemic- related restrictions were in place, the works had to be carried out in a Covid-safe manner.

Outcomes:

The project was completed on time and to budget, with final commissioning carried out over a weekend to minimise disruption. Vickers later carried out work to alter their main building entrance, and in March 2021 we returned to move a repeater panel and some of the detectors to new locations. We are now providing Vickers with a three-year maintenance contract including bi-annual site visits to test devices and panels in line with BS5839 recommendations.

Solution:

We carried out an initial site survey and produced a quote for a system upgrade. As a Tyco FireClass provider, we offered Vickers a cost-effective open protocol solution which would save on purchase costs by reusing their existing detector bases, and provide them with options for a servicing contract.

Our solution included:

Like-for-like replacement of 300 detectors for their Tyco MX4 fire alarm system
Replacing the existing main panel with an FC700 fire class fire alarm panel
Fitting two new GUI repeater panels

We created a Programme of Works for the five-week project, setting our timetable for working in particular areas, as the site remained fully operational for the majority of the project.

Our Project Manager held daily and weekly on-site meetings with Vickers’ Manufacturing Manager to report on project progress. Health and safety was hugely important, as the three engineers were not only working in occupied buildings, but in an environment where hazardous substances were being produced and stored.

The PM created risk assessments and method statements at project start, and engineers carried out daily dynamic risk assessments to ensure on-site safety.

The engineers used both standard and additional Covid-specific PPE, as well as wearing safety goggles when working in the labs. All our engineers are fully trained in working at height and in confined spaces, both required on this project.

Barriers were used to cordon off areas where they were working to ensure the safety of Vickers staff. Project start was delayed by a week due to a stock-take on site; the PM worked with Vickers to identify opportunities to avoid further timeline slippage – by working through a four-day planned site shutdown we kept the project on track.

As work progressed we discovered some issues, including breaks in the cabling with the potential to cause short circuits; we replaced sections of the FP fire-rated cable to ensure the safety of the system.