Client: Morgan Sindall
Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire
Project Type: Social Housing Electrical Works
Project Duration: Ongoing
About Morgan Sindall
Morgan Sindall is a leading UK construction and infrastructure company, known for delivering complex, large-scale projects across various sectors, including social housing. They are committed to providing sustainable solutions, ensuring that housing stocks are well-maintained and safe for tenants. As part of their social housing contracts in St Albans, they engaged Project Skills Solutions to provide essential electrical services for void properties and day-to-day repairs ensuring compliance with safety regulations and high-quality standards.
Scope of Works
Comprehensive Project Management for Void Property Electrical Works
Our project management approach ensures that all void property electrical works are delivered efficiently and on schedule. We coordinate closely with both tenants and engineers, ensuring that works are arranged in line with the overall program of works. Our team handles the scheduling of tenant appointments, carefully planning each phase of the project to meet client deadlines. This process includes clear communication with tenants to arrange access and minimize disruption.
Each property undergoes thorough documentation, with photographic records taken before and after the works are completed. These photos are included in detailed completion packs, which are handed over to Morgan Sindall upon project completion. The completion packs provide a comprehensive overview of the work carried out, giving our client clear evidence of the high-quality service delivered.
To ensure seamless progress, we hold regular progress meetings with Morgan Sindall. These meetings keep our client fully informed, allowing for adjustments if needed and ensuring the project remains on track. This collaborative approach ensures transparency and aligns our efforts with the client’s objectives, guaranteeing that all works are completed to the highest standards and within the agreed timeframes.
We were responsible for a range of electrical services to meet the client’s strict specifications and fast turnaround times. These works included:
1. Void Property Electrical Works
We carried out electrical installations and repairs in void properties, ensuring each one met the client’s exact specifications. Our services included Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), repairs, and upgrades to ensure safety and compliance.
2. EICRs and C1/C2 Repairs
As part of our void property services, our team carries out a comprehensive electrical inspection of each property to ensure all electrical systems are safe and meet current regulatory standards. This process involves conducting a detailed Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which identifies any faults or potential risks within the electrical system. The EICR is essential for maintaining safety in rental properties, particularly in void homes, where systems may have deteriorated over time or been subject to wear and tear.
During the inspection, we thoroughly check the property’s electrical installations, including wiring, sockets, light fittings, and Consumer Control Units (CCUs). The goal is to ensure the electrical system is compliant with BS 7671, the UK’s wiring regulations, which set out the standards for electrical safety.
If any issues are found during the inspection, we immediately address them, particularly C1 and C2 failures, which are classified as urgent and must be rectified without delay:
- C1 (Immediate Danger): A C1 fault represents an immediate risk to the safety of the occupants. This could include exposed live parts, severely damaged wiring, or other issues that pose an immediate fire or shock hazard. When our team identifies a C1 fault, they take corrective action straight away to remove the danger, ensuring the property is safe before it can be reoccupied.
- C2 (Potentially Dangerous): A C2 fault indicates an issue that could become dangerous if left unresolved. These faults are less urgent than C1 but still require prompt attention to prevent further deterioration or risk. Common examples include outdated wiring or insufficient earthing. We fix any C2 issues during the same visit to ensure the property remains safe for tenants in the long term.
By rectifying C1 and C2 issues immediately, we guarantee that each void property is fully compliant with safety regulations before it is handed over to the client. This proactive approach not only prevents future problems but also ensures that the property is ready for new tenants as soon as possible.
All EICR reports and subsequent work are thoroughly reviewed by our Qualified Supervisor (QS) team to ensure accuracy and compliance. After the inspection and repairs, we issue a certified EICR to Morgan Sindall, providing them with documented proof that the property’s electrical system meets all required safety standards.
3. Fire Safety Alarm Installation
We installed heat alarms and smoke alarms to meet the client’s specific safety standards. This included ensuring that all installations complied with the latest fire safety regulations for social housing.
4. Damp Prevention Measures
To combat damp issues, we installed extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens, improving ventilation and reducing the risk of moisture buildup.
5. Kitchen Upgrades
Our team handled kitchen electrical upgrades, performing both the first fix (wiring and installations behind the walls) and second fix (installing outlets, lighting, and final fixtures) to ensure the kitchens were fully functional and modernized.
6. Consumer Control Unit (CCU) Upgrades
Where necessary, we completed CCU upgrades to ensure the properties met current electrical safety standards.
Collaboration and Efficiency
Meeting the 5-10 day turnaround for void properties required seamless collaboration with other contractors on-site. We maintained open lines of communication with Morgan Sindall and the other trades to ensure all work was completed efficiently. This coordination was key to avoiding delays and ensuring each property was ready for reoccupation on time.
Challenges
The primary challenge of this project was completing all void works within a strict timeframe of 5 to 10 days while coordinating with other contractors. However, by using efficient scheduling and maintaining clear communication, we successfully met these deadlines.
Results
To date, we have completed electrical works in several hundred void properties across St Albans, delivering all projects on time and in line with Morgan Sindall’s specifications. Each property has been thoroughly inspected, with EICRs and electrical certificates issued and reviewed by our QS team. These certificates confirm that the properties meet all required electrical safety standards.
Why Choose Us?
As a trusted electrical contractor specializing in social housing, we offer a comprehensive range of services, including Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), repairs, and upgrades. Our expertise ensures that projects are completed to the highest standards, on time, and in full compliance with safety regulations.
If you need an experienced and reliable electrical contractor for social housing or void property projects, contact us today for tailored solutions.