ISSUE 68
SUMMER 2009
GRAHAM NEWS
THE HOUSE JOURNAL OF THE GRAHAM GROUP
A LASTING LEGACY
Graham wins contract for iconic
Peace Bridge
CURTAIN CALL FOR ULSTER HALL
Phase 2 of the refurbishment is complete
CHOCKS AWAY!
Dublin Airport shell and fit out completed
one week ahead of schedule
BECKETT BRIDGE
MAKES A GRAND
ENTRANCE
The steel superstructure arrived
in Dublin following a nine day
sea journey from Rotterdam
GRAHAM NEWS
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL
2
BECKETT BRIDGE MAKES
A GRAND ENTRANCE
3
CURTAIN CALL FOR ULSTER HALL
4
BIWATER GRAHAM JV UPDATE
5
SCHOOLS AND CENTRES
21 FRAMEWORK
6
A LASTING LEGACY
7
WESTLINK
8
HELMETS OFF - ROAD WORKS AHEAD
9
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY
CONTRACT COMMENCED
9
GRAHAM PEOPLE
10
THE NHS LANARKSHIRE
HEALTHCARE FRAMEWORK
12
FACELIFT FOR RIVER CLYDE
12
GLASGOW SMALL ANIMAL HOSPITAL
13
SCHOOLS OF EDUCATIONAL
EXCELLENCE
14
CHOCKS AWAY!
15
N52 TULLAMORE BYPASS PROGRESS UPDATE
16
ST NEOTS LEISURE CENTRE
DELIVERED EARLY
16
AWARDS KEEP COMING…
17
GRAHAM ASSET MANAGEMENT
18
GRAHAM GRADUATES
20
While the economic slowdown continues to challenge us in many ways we are delighted in our Summer
edition of Graham News to bring you a brief snapshot of the diverse range of activities undertaken by
Group companies. This edition outlines a range of innovative projects from the Samuel Beckett Bridge
arriving by sea into Dublin to the ongoing partnering work with clients in Scotland and the success of
Graham FM in new markets. All of these projects demonstrate the desire of the entire team at Graham to
work closely with our clients and provide the best possible solutions to make their businesses successful.
Michael E.J. Graham
Executive Chairman
DUBLIN OFFICE BLOCK SUCCESSFULLY
DELIVERED BY GRAHAM PROJECTS
basement with support provided to the structure
for excavation works and then designed to form an
integral part of the permanent structure.
The façade was created using a mix of limestone
cladding, curtain walling, zinc cladding works
to penthouse level and small isolated areas of
insulated render. The project also involved a shell
and core fit out with raised access floors and
suspended ceilings throughout all of the units
with the exception of the fourth floor penthouse.
A significant amount of existing services had to
be diverted on the south east corner of the site to
enable the basement area to be created.
There are three stair and lift cores along the
western elevation of the building, with an
emergency escape stairwell on the back south
east corner of the building, and a further three from
the basement car park to external ground level.
Graham Projects Limited recently delivered a new
five storey office block at Northwood in Dublin.
Works commenced on site in November 2007
and were completed in April 2009.
The eastern elevation has a curved curtain wall
along the first to third floor levels. Another feature
is a green roof to the car park podium slab which
involved drainage and tanking works to ensure
drainage of the landscaped areas.
The project involved construction of an office block
over a basement car park for 27 own door units.
The building structure is a reinforced concrete
frame with cfa piling work carried out to the
The external areas were given a mix of hard and
soft landscaping with external lighting throughout
the perimeter of the site.
GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS
A number of new appointments have been made in John Graham Holdings subsidiary companies.
GRAHAM
CONSTRUCTION
GRAHAM
ASSET MANAGEMENT
LEO MARTIN
Leo has been appointed to the
post of Operations Director
(Civils) and the Board of John
Graham (Dromore) Limited.
BRENDAN DEVLIN
Brendan has been appointed
to the post of Operations
Director and the Board
of Graham Asset
Management Limited.
02
GRAHAM
INVESTMENT PROJECTS
ROSS ELLERBY
Ross has been appointed
to the post of Business
Development Director and
the Board of Graham Asset
Management Limited.
MARK GILLESPIE
Mark has been appointed
to the post of Operations
Director and the Board
of Graham Investment
Projects Limited.
COURTNEY MCCORMICK
Courtney has been appointed
to the post of Financial Director
and the Board of Graham
Investment Projects Limited.
BECKETT BRIDGE MAKES
A GRAND ENTRANCE
Dublin City Council has welcomed the arrival of the
main structure of the new Samuel Beckett Bridge which
arrived in Dublin Port by sea from Rotterdam.
The superstructure began its odyssey in Rotterdam
on Monday 4th May, and charted its way down
the English Channel and across the Irish Sea. It
then travelled through the Eastlink Bridge in Dublin
during high tide on 15th May.
Working in joint venture with Hollandia, a specialist
steelwork company from Holland, the civils team at
Graham are delighted to be adding to their already
impressive portfolio of iconic bridges.
The bridge designed by the internationally
acclaimed architect Dr. Santiago Calatrava Valls
has a distinctive structure with a curved profile
leaning northwards. The cable-stayed bridge is
designed to be a landmark feature of the city,
evoking the image of a harp.
Graham has been on site in central Dublin for the
past year constructing the civil and marine works
necessary to support the bridge. A reinforced
concrete support pier has been cast in the river
Liffey along with abutments behind the quay walls.
Both the abutments and the pier rest on piles up
to 20 metres in length, which were bored into the
limestone rock underneath the river bed.
The 123 metre structure weighs 2,300 tonne,
and is 28 metres wide and 45 metres in height.
It will have 4 lanes with cycle tracks and footpaths
on either side and has the capability of opening
through an angle of 90 degrees to facilitate
maritime traffic.
Graham is currently undertaking installation of
7no. 19.5 metre long 1,400 mm diameter ship
impact piles. This work involves the use of two
barges, one supporting the piling rig and the other
supporting an 80 tonne crawler crane.
The concrete central pier which encloses the
opening/closing mechanisms was designed for
Graham Hollandia JV by AECOM.
The bridge is expected to open to traffic in early
2010 following finishing and commissioning works.
It will link Guild Street on the northside of the
City with Sir John Rogerson’s Quay on the
southside - west of Cardiff Lane / Macken Street.
Total cost of the project is €60m, which includes
a major upgrade of the approach roads.
03
GRAHAM NEWS
CURTAIN CALL
FOR ULSTER HALL
The Ulster Hall is a Grade B listed building and one of
the oldest buildings owned by Belfast City Council.
Photo by Rory Moore Photography.
Courtesy of Stothers M&E
This building stands out as one of Belfast’s most
impressive cultural icons with a history and heritage
unrivalled by any other venue in the city.
As a world famous venue, restoring the Ulster
Hall to its former glory was always going to be a
challenge. While the project was to transform the
building into a modern, customer friendly, multipurpose building, great care had to be taken to
retain both its unique character and to preserve
its status as one of Belfast’s landmark buildings.
Having completed Phase 1 (a minor face lift)
on this historic building in 2005, Graham embarked
on Phase 2 working closely with Architect Consarc
to repair, restore and refurbish the building not just
to its original glory, but also to W.J. Barre’s original
vision. The result has been simply breathtaking.
The £8.5m two year refurbishment included
refitting and redecorating the Grand Hall and
re-opening the windows which had been closed
since the 1980’s.
As well as repair work to the exterior and interior,
extending the stage and laying a new floor, works
also included the installation of state-of-the-art
sound and light systems, as well as ensuring
that the old style heating system worked at
optimum levels.
04
Pictured: (L-R) Graham Project Team: Jonathan Hall, Commercial Manager; Jonathan McGurn, Quantity Surveyor;
Gary Holmes, Contracts Director; Martin Flynn, Site Manager and Billy Carroll, Assistant Site Manager.
The most easily seen addition is the new
five-storey extension to the back of the hall,
with space for dressing rooms, education and
meeting facilities.
Access difficulty arose as the building itself is in
the heart of Belfast city centre and is bounded on
both sides by adjoining buildings. The first problem
was solved by a well-oiled, co-ordinated approach
that ensured minimum disruption.
While the outside offered significant if not
insurmountable problems, the inside provided
its own set of issues. For instance, part of the
overall plan was to restore the existing features
of the hall, so the Graham team had to put in
place adequate protection for various parts of the
building’s fabric as well as other areas such as
the famous Mulholland Grand Organ (valued at
£5m) which had to remain on site during the entire
progress of the work.
In March a gala concert, including a performance
by the Ulster Orchestra who now have the Ulster
Hall as their new home, marked the re-opening
of this historic building.
BUSY TIMES FOR BIWATER GRAHAM JV
HISTORY OF THE IWWF
The Integrated Wastewater Framework (IWWF)
came into being in July 2004, and in conjunction
with our JV partners, Biwater Treatment Ltd,
Graham Construction has undertaken, or is in the
process of undertaking, a total of £65m worth
of projects. This has seen £43m of investment
in wastewater treatment schemes and £22m
in network projects. Graham has also delivered
£63m of wastewater treatment projects outwith
the IWWF in this timescale.
Some of the prestigious schemes we have
completed under this framework Include
Carrickfergus WwTW and Whitehouse WwTW.
Networks projects include Comber Road SPS,
Newtownards and Huguenot Drive SPS, Lisburn.
Whitehouse WwTW
Comber Road, Newtownards
Work continues on schemes within the IWWF
Package of Works.
The two Interim Rotating Biological Contactor
(RBC) sites at Ballywalter and Cloughey on the
Ards Peninsula have been successfully completed
and are performing well. Some additional works
at Ballywalter retention tank have been planned
for June.
Three schemes to provide Ferric Sulphate dosing
equipment at New Holland, Newtownbreda and
Dunmurry WwTW have also been completed and
are operational.
Ballywalter WwTW
SUSTAINABILITY
At Downpatrick WwTW, we are using concrete
produced using Ecocem cement. Use of
this cement, which is manufactured using a
by-product of the steel industry, means the
embodied carbon in our concrete structures is 60%
lower than if Portland cement had been used.
Cloughey WwTW
The works at Seahill, near Holywood, have recently
been commissioned and are now treating all of the
incoming sewage. The old works have been taken
off line and one of the existing primary settlement
tanks is currently being refurbished. Completion
of site finishes, road surfacing, fencing and
landscaping is planned for July and August during
which time the acceptance testing of the works will
take place.
At Annahilt, the construction of the new
Activated Sludge Plant (ASP) is well advanced.
All structures, pipelines and electrical ducts are in
place, mechanical installation is nearing completion
and electrical work is ahead of programme.
A pumping main and pumping station at nearby
Poundburn WwTW, to forward flows to the new
works at Annahilt are also well underway. A further
pumping main to direct the treated effluent to a
new discharge point on the Ballynahinch River has
just commenced. Commissioning is planned for
mid September.
Dromara WwTW refurbishment is progressing
ahead of programme. A temporary treatment plant
has been established on site to allow the existing
aeration/final settlement compact plant to be taken
off line. All new structures are complete and the
replacement of the inlet pumping station pumps,
pipework and cabling is planned for July. This will
involve a period of overpumping of the incoming
flow. The refurbished plant will begin to be brought
on line in a staged approach in August.
Ringneill WwTW near Comber continues to provide
logistical challenges. A very constrained site,
the necessity to maintain treatment and higher
than expected rock levels has curbed progress.
A temporary treatment plant has now been
established in the new storm tank, which has
allowed the existing plant to be demolished.
Work to complete a new pumping main from
Lisbarnet pumping station is planned for
June / July.
PROGRAMMING
This unique £19.1m package of works,
comprising 13 works is the first time an
IWWF contractor has been responsible for
managing such a large programme of works
within Northern Ireland Water’s Capital Works
Programme.
Work at Downpatrick WwTW is progressing
well. The existing aeration tanks have now been
refurbished with new concrete coatings and new
aerator platforms constructed, while still maintaining
the treatment process. The main structures are
now complete and work is concentrating on
laying pipework and electrical ducts. A Section 1
completion is programmed for the end of August.
Biwater Graham JV continues to bid for further
work with NI Water. A contract at Feeny WwTW
and Stewartstown WwTW has recently been
awarded. This will involve construction of pumping
stations and rising mains to pump the treated
effluent away. Work is planned to commence
at the end of July.
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GRAHAM NEWS
CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE IN NI
The £16.9m Graham Construction Project at
Banbridge Academy was recently announced as
a Constructing Excellence Demonstration Project.
The announcement made by Finance Minister,
Nigel Dodds, at a ceremony in the Belfast Harbour
Commissioners Office on 2nd April revealed that
the project had been selected by ‘Constructing
Excellence in Northern Ireland’ (CENI) for Health
and Safety.
Demonstration Projects are ‘live construction
projects’ which are innovative or are applying an
element of best practice that will ultimately lead
to a step-change in project performance for the
participating organisations.
CENI will now carry out monthly site visits to discuss
progress on the project with the design team and
client. They will also collect and analyse performance
measurement data and information on agreed Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs), prepare a quarterly
report on the development of the Project that will be
published on the CENI website, and complete an
in-depth case study on completion of the project.
Pictured above: (L-R) Ron Clarke, Operations Director (Building); Finance Minister Nigel Dodds;
Michael Graham, Executive Chairman; and Andrew Cooke, Environmental Quality & Safety Director.
One of the first initiatives on the projects was
the visit of the Action Cancer bus to our Head
Office in Dromore, the New Headquarters site in
Hillsborough, the Belfast City Hall site and the
Banbridge Academy site providing health checks
including blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass
index, lung capacity, and sun screening. Breast
Screening was also made available at the Head
Office for women between 40 - 49 or 65+. The
health check service was open to all monthly and
weekly paid staff.
SCHOOLS AND CENTRES 21 FRAMEWORK
COLTNESS HIGH SCHOOL, WISHAW
Pre-construction design for Coltness High School
is progressing well, having gained Client gateway
approval to move to the next stage in April. The
2nd stage of this process is now underway,
including the submission of the planning application
and building warrants, work package tender
enquires and finalisation of the NEC3 Option A
building contract.
The site start is scheduled for August with a
contract period of 104 weeks to suit the complex
2 phase construction of this £22m refurbishment
and extension project on a ‘live’ school. Detailed
phasing and interface plans are currently being
developed to manage and co-ordinate the decant
of pupils during the works.
06
TRANCHE 2 TENDER AWARD
Tranche 2 mini-tenders were issued to the
framework contractors for competitive tender in
March. North Lanarkshire Council grouped the
tenders into 3 bundles of 2 schools.
existing separate schools of Coltness Primary and
Lammermoor Primary. The proposed new school
is 4,142m2 over 2 storeys and includes general
primary teaching for 350 pupils, a nursery for
70 children and an integrated community centre.
Graham were successfully awarded the Bundle
2 contract on 22nd June to progress preconstruction design and costing. Within this
bundle there are 2 projects; Coltness/
Lammermoor Primary and Greenhill/Drumpark
ASN (Special Needs) Primary. The total value
of bundle 2 is £20.9m.
Greenhill/Drumpark ASN Primary involves the
co-location of Greenhill Primary and Drumpark
ASN Primary and Nursery on a new shared
campus in Coatbridge. The proposed new shared
campus school will be located within an existing
Grade ‘C’ listed Victorian sandstone building in
what once was Coatbridge High School. The
refurbishment contract will comprise a full internal
re-fit, extension and external works on the existing
site. The new school is 6,052m2 and will provide
facilities for 180 primary pupils, 90 special needs
primary pupils and 10 special needs nursery pupils.
Coltness/Lammermoor Primary is a new build
primary school on an existing primary
school site in Wishaw. The new school building
will provide amalgamated accommodation for the
A LASTING LEGACY
Graham beats off international competition to win the contract
for the largest investment in Derry’s infrastructure in 30 years.
Our winning design comprises a 235 metre long
‘S’ shaped deck supported by cable stays from two
steel pylons, founded in the River Foyle. Designed
for pedestrians and cyclists, the bridge will run from
behind Guildhall Square to the former Parade
Ground within the former Ebrington Barracks.
In September of this year Graham will commence
construction on the £13m Peace Bridge, which
was unveiled in the Maiden City in April, subject to
planning permission. Completion of the bridge and
associated works to revamp the parade grounds in
Ebrington is scheduled for October 2010.
The foot and cycle bridge will link the city centre to
the vacated Army barracks at Ebrington and will be
the biggest single regeneration project in the city
ANOTHER HEALTHCARE
PROJECT SECURED IN
SCOTLAND
Work has just got underway on the new
£11m Barrhead Health & Social Care Centre,
a key component in the redevelopment of
the Barrhead town centre.
Designed by Avanti Architects it will
accommodate three GP practices under one
roof, providing primary care and social services,
dental, physiotherapy, community nursing
teams and elderly day care facilities.
since the Foyle Bridge was built by Graham more
than 30 years ago.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie
unveiled the winning design and it has been hailed
by business leaders who say it has the potential
to give a massive economic boost to the region.
The structure has been designed as two structural
systems which will overlap in what has been
described as a ‘structural hand shake’.
Outlining the importance of the new bridge,
Brenda Frazer, Director of Development for the
Client, ILEX, said “The Peace Bridge is the most
significant capital project in Derry/Londonderry for
decades. It is of fundamental importance within the
regeneration programme and will unite the
city physically and symbolically. As such, it
heralds a new era for citizens and visitors alike,
and will act as a catalyst for transformation and
future growth. The fact that the European Union
is providing funding for the new bridge under the
PEACE III Shared Space theme underlines the
Peace Bridge’s contribution to new shared, public
space to promote community interaction”.
Alan Bill, Graham Construction Managing
Director said ‘We are pleased to be continuing
our tradition of delivering historic and iconic
bridges and have prepared a high quality design
for the Peace Bridge. We now look forward to
delivering construction to the highest quality’.
ACHILLES AUDIT
In June an independent verification of the
company’s environment, quality and health
and safety management systems was carried
out by Achilles, who work to qualify, evaluate
and monitor suppliers on behalf of major
worldwide organisations.
Achilles visit companies annually and assess
in detail individual management systems. They
provide organisations such as Graham with:
-
Independent evidence of demonstrable
safety, health, environment & quality
(SHEQ) capabilities
-
Practical advice and feedback to the
company on ways to further improve
SHEQ management
-
Independent assessment and
benchmarking of the company’s SHEQ
performance against the industry average
-
Credibility in the market place through
maintaining certification of the scheme
Our audit was successful and Graham has retained
its continuing registration with this independent
assessment scheme, with marks once again
significantly in excess of the industry average.
Retaining this certification places Graham in
the eye of client organisations that use the Achilles
UVDB Verify database to shortlist contractors and
expand their supply chains.
Our scores achieved were:
Health and Safety (Site)
96% - (Industry Average 82.9%)
Environment (Site)
90.7% - (Industry Average 72.9%)
Quality (Site)
100% - (Industry Average 84.3%)
07
GRAHAM NEWS
EARLY FINISH FOR WESTLINK
The construction upgrade of the M1/M2/Westlink
has been completed by Highway Management
Construction, with key milestones of the Westlink
opening and handover of the widening of the M2
5 months ahead of schedule. This completes what
has been one of the most challenging projects ever
undertaken in Northern Ireland – and it has largely
been done without the major traffic disruption
predicted. This is testament to the efforts of all
involved at Graham and HMC.
Pictured: (L-R) Andrew Bill, Managing Director (Graham Investment Projects); Conor Murphy, Regional
Development Minister; Martin Pugh, Managing Director (Bilfinger); Leo Martin, Operations Director Civils
(Graham) and Eamonn Sweeney, Joint Managing Director (Farrans).
However the work for Graham Highway
Management Maintenance (HMM) is just beginning
on the Westlink. Graham HMM is the Operator of
the motorway network throughout Northern Ireland,
including the M22, M2, M5, M3, A8 (M) and M1 to
Junction 7 at Sprucefield.
As the Operator, Graham HMM is responsible for a
myriad of operations, together with all emergency
services that may arise. These range from filling
a small pothole to major resurfacing, winter
maintenance, gully emptying, sweeping, grass
cutting, litter picking to name but a few.
Graham HMM also maintains the Westlink, from
Broadway to York Street, which now includes the
new upgraded section. This is a strategic route that
connects the M1 to the M2 and M3 Motorways
within Belfast. It also provides access to Belfast
City Centre, the Port of Belfast and George Best
Belfast City Airport.
This routine and planned intervention by Graham
HMM over the next 27 years will ensure that
the Westlink is maintained fit for purpose, and
following hand back to the Roads Service in 2036,
must not require major intervention for a period of
10 years.
And … just when the Graham Construction team
thought their work was all over on the M1, we have
been awarded a contract for the replacement of
the existing safety barriers in the central reservation
of the M1 Motorway between Blacks Road and
Saintfield Road. This £1.7m contract will see the
existing steel barriers replaced with a slip formed
concrete step barrier.
This is another high profile contract on Northern
Ireland’s busiest stretch of motorway, and as such
will involve working closely with Graham HMM who
are providing the complete traffic management
services to ensure two lanes of traffic are kept
open in each direction at peak times.
SAFETY
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Given the current economic downturn, there is a
fear throughout the industry that Health and Safety
may be seen as slightly insignificant rather than
really an essential social and economic ingredient.
Graham’s commitment to safety is the core
element of its business and will always be viewed
as top priority.
Graham has recently signed up to “Buildhealth” a
health promotion initiative backed by the HSENI.
Together we hope to prevent construction related
diseases and illnesses. Health surveillance is about
systematically watching out for early signs of workrelated ill health in employees.
Graham actively encourages all employees to
voice their opinions and concerns regarding health,
safety, and environmental issues and suggest
improvements that will enhance our safety record
in the industry.
08
We intend to analyse the results of the health
surveillance and monitoring which will give an
insight into how well our control measures are
protecting our workers and then use the results
to help set targets.
HELMETS OFF - ROAD WORKS AHEAD
In January Graham and Northstone (NI), part
of the Highway Management Group (Scotland)
Ltd consortium, were awarded one of Scotland’s
largest ever road projects, a £320m contract
to work on Transport Scotland’s M80 project
with German company Bilfinger Berger Project
Investments.
The contract is to design, build, finance and
operate (DBFO) the Stepps to Haggs section of
the M80 motorway.
The 18km motorway project includes an 8km new
dual carriageway between Stepps and Mollinsburn,
2.7km on the existing A80 road upgraded to a
three-lane motorway between Mollinsburn and
Auchenkilns and 7.3km on the existing A80
upgraded to a two-lane motorway between
Auchenkilns to Haggs with hard shoulders and
climbing lanes.
Leo Martin, Operations Director at Graham said:
“following on from the success of the Westlink
project, this is an excellent opportunity for Graham
and Northstone (NI) to continue their close
partnership with Bilfinger Berger, to pool our
resources and knowledge, and to demonstrate
that we in Northern Ireland possess skills and
expertise comparable to any other construction
business”.
Scottish Transport Minister, Mr Stewart Stevenson
commented: “The A80 is an essential part of
the trunk road network in central Scotland and
one of the most heavily used. “This project will
complete the missing gap between Stirling and
Glasgow, bringing real benefits to the surrounding
communities and across the central belt as
a whole”.
The scheme will provide a significant reduction in
congestion for road users when it opens in 2011.
It will improve road safety whilst alleviating
congestion and delays, particularly during peak
hours, as well as improving journey times and
reliability. In the opening year, the decrease in
travel time will amount to approximately 40%
between Stepps and Haggs during peak periods,
which equates to savings of up to 15 minutes.
The road will also provide local communities with
better accessibility and environmental benefits.
Work got underway in January and is expected to
last for 33 months.
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY CONTRACT COMMENCED
In May Graham Construction commenced
work for the University of Edinburgh to extend
its ‘Centre for Sport and Exercise’ (CSE) in
Edinburgh’s city centre.
were previously used as war-time ‘air raid shelters’.
In addition, there will be alterations to the existing
facility to improve circulation and facilitate access
to the new extension.
The University is Scotland’s top sporting
university, and one of the top five in the UK.
Its Sports Centre is recognised as one of the
largest and best sports and leisure providers
in the UK. The Centre for Sport and Exercise,
open to students and non-students alike, has
14,000 members. Its present facilities are,
however, at full capacity, requiring expansion to
cope with the huge demand.
The existing facility will be in full use during the
12 month contract period. User visits have been
recorded in excess of 350,000 per year and over
2,500 daily visits at peak- time. In addition to its
regular everyday activities, the Centre for Sport
and Exercise hosts major national and international
sports training events and competitions, as well
as being a principal venue for the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival during August. Consequently, the
key challenge of this project is to ensure that the
construction work does not impinge upon the
successful day-to-day running of the Centre.
The plan includes a new three storey extension
to the rear of the existing stone ‘listed’ building.
It is a steel frame construction on bored
concrete piled foundations, with reinforced
concrete slab floors. The external walls are
cavity masonry with external leaf facing brick
and zinc cladding to part of one elevation.
The roof is single ply membrane on insulation.
There is also a basement conversion to achieve
maximum use of two levels which
09
GRAHAM NEWS
GRAHAM PEOPLE
THE LATEST
EDITION TO
THE HEAD
OFFICE TEAM
Let’s hope he has
had his Health &
Safety Induction.
FLORA WOMEN’S MINI MARATHON
Vineta Kravale (Purchase Ledger Clerk - Graham Projects Ltd) completed
the 2009 10km Flora Women’s Mini Marathon place in a time of 50 mins
11 seconds. Vineta was raising money for The Irish Cancer Society.
Pictured: Kayleigh Spence participated in an abseil off the Europa Hotel
on Saturday 9th May as part of the fundraising process for her trip.
NEW HQ ON TRACK
Victor Hamilton (Project Manager) and David Watson (Student Placement
Engineer) keeping a close eye on the finishes programme at Ballygowan Road.
BUILDING BIG IN ROMANIA
Kayleigh Spence (ECM Officer) will join with up to 250 other volunteers who
will travel from Northern Ireland to the town of Beius in Western Romania
to participate in an event to build 10 homes in 1 week. The Big Build will
provide homes for 5 orphans who are no longer eligible to remain in the
local orphanage.
Kayleigh will travel with Habitat for Humanity and will arrive in Romania on
Sunday 4th October where the week will start with an orientation and welcome
event, followed by five days of building. The event closes with the dedication of
the new homes and a closing ceremony on Friday 9th October.
DROMORE YARD HELP CHILDREN IN ZAMBIA
Keith Barclay (Contract Planner) and Jacqueline Gibson (Sustainability
Co-ordinator) formed two relay teams who ran the Belfast Marathon on
May day to raise funds for Munu Ka Yumbwa - meaning every person has
value in ‘Lozi’ (one of Zambia’s 75 tribal tongues) a charity set up two years
ago to provide medical, rehabilitation and physiotherapy support for children
with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Munu Ka Yumbwa is the only clinic of its kind in
Zambia, providing effective treatment and support for children and their carers.
Keith and Jacqueline would like to thank all their work colleagues at Graham
for their support, raising £448.00 from the Dromore office.
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10
DROMORE ATHLETICS CLUB
As part of Dromore Civic Week, Michael Smyth (Human Resources Manager Construction) Dromore was invited to present the Athlete of the Year Award.
Michael presented the Award to Laura Gregg of Dromore Athletics Club. Club
founder member Jackie Delaney was also in attendance.
FUNDRAISING SUCCESSES
Melissa Livingstone (Assistant Accountant - Graham FM) and Leigh Atchison,
(Receptionist - Graham Asset Management Ltd) have been at the forefront
of Graham Asset Management’s charitable ventures this year, organising a
number of fundraising events to support both local and national charities.
Notably, Melissa successfully organised a fundraising Dress Down Day and
Lunchtime Buffet at the Graham Asset Management Office in March, raising
almost £300 for Comic Relief and Leigh completed a sponsored 10 Mile
Walk on 28th March, raising £160 for Northern Ireland Hospice.
Pictured: Elaine Hunter (Facilities Co-ordinator - Graham FM) and Maureen McKay
(Administration Clerk - Graham HMM) with Tony Hayden (EQS Advisor - Graham
Asset Management Ltd).
GRAHAM ASSET MANAGEMENT IS TOP OF THE CLASS
Graham Asset Management continues to develop health and safety awareness
for all staff, following the recent award of the prestigious OSHAS 18001 Health
and Safety Management accreditation. We have now introduced British Safety
Council accredited training to all non construction/traffic management employees.
The course, British Safety Council Level 1 Health and Safety in the Workplace, is
delivered in house by Tony Hayden (EQS Advisor - Graham Asset Management
Ltd) and aims to provide employees with a basic knowledge of health and safety
in the workplace, including the duties of employers and employees under UK
health and safety legislation.
To date, all 19 delegates who have participated have achieved an exceptional
100% pass rate.
Pictured: Stephen with his football hero Jonny Evans.
HMM MAKE A DREAM COME TRUE
Thanks to the efforts of HMM, Mark Haggan and his family had the pleasure
of meeting the Northern Ireland Football team.
Mark Haggan’s stepson Stephen, who had a brain tumour removed but now
has cancer of the spine, was invited to meet with the team on Wednesday
27th March. It was Mark’s workmates in HMM who took it upon themselves
to e-mail the IFA and explain Stephen’s condition. The HMM employees also
organised a chauffeur driven Bentley to collect Mark and his family, who were
taken to the Hilton Hotel and met by team Manager Nigel Worthington.
Mr Worthington arranged for Stephen to sit at lunch beside Jonny Evans Stephen’s football hero.
After lunch Stephen was presented with a signed Northern Ireland top
and football, and was also invited to attend the match against Poland on
Saturday 28th March.
EXAMINATION SUCCESS
FOR FM MANAGER
Congratulations to Gordon
Richardson, Graham FM
Facilities Manager (pictured),
who achieved a Pass Grade
with Distinction in NEBOSH
(National Examination Board
in Occupational Safety and
Health) Qualification.
LONDON MARATHON
Congratulations to Mark Gillespie (Operations Director - Graham Investment
Projects Ltd) and Gerry Rowe (Contracts Director - Graham Projects Ltd) who
both completed the London Marathon earlier this year.
Mark ran for Get Kids Going who help disabled children take part in sport by
providing specialist wheelchairs, sports grants and year round support. He has
currently raised almost £4,000.
Gerry ran for The Meningitis Trust. The Meningitis Trust helps people practically,
emotionally and financially to face life after meningitis. They also educate
communities about the symptoms of Meningitis to help save lives through
early detection. Gerry has already ran the New York Marathon this year and
also plans to complete the Dublin Marathon this Autumn.
In the end Mark completed the Marathon with a time of 4hrs 28mins 28 seconds,
Gerry was literally ‘on his heels’ one second behind with a time of 4hrs 28mins
29 seconds.
Well done to both of you.
11
13
Graham NEWS
NEWS
GRAHAM
THE NHS LANARKSHIRE HEALTHCARE FRAMEWORK
The latest waves of projects from the NHS Lanarkshire Healthcare Framework have just got underway.
CAIRD STREET: LOW SECURE AND
COMPLEX NEEDS UNIT (£6.9M)
The new Caird Street facility will accommodate 12 residential
complex needs patients and a 15 bed low secure unit within an
existing NHS site. The building is predominantly single storey, with
an upper floor providing for the complex needs bedrooms. The gross
floor area is 2,358.15m2. The design reflects the need for security
allied to the provision of good quality open space for the patients.
KIRKLANDS LEARNING DISABILITIES UNIT (£5.2M)
The new Learning Disabilities facility at Kirklands will be developed on a portion
of the existing Kirklands Hospital site at Bothwell. The new purpose built 12 bed
single storey in-patient assessment and treatment centre will serve the whole of
Lanarkshire. The unit will provide for short periods of in-patient care, supporting
the mainly community based service.
The 12 beds will be provided in 4 units of 3 beds. Each unit will focus on
providing assessment and support for specific patient groups. These include
Challenging Behaviour, Mental Health, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Physical
Complex Needs and Frail Elderly care.
The building which has a gross floor area of 1,500m2 is located
on 1 level.
COATHILL HOSPITAL - COMPLEX NEEDS UNIT (£3.96M)
The new build facility at Coathill will provide residential accommodation for 12 complex needs patients within an existing live hospital. Due
to extensive development of the Coathill site some poor quality buildings will be demolished to provide the footprint for the new building
The building design comprises a two storey facility with a gross floor area of 1,441.83m2 incorporating day areas, located on the ground
floor and bedrooms on the upper floor with a small area of plant located in the basement.
FACELIFT FOR THE RIVER CLYDE
In May Graham Construction completed the £12.9m project for
Glasgow City Council to raise and strengthen the existing 100 year
old quay walls on both sides of the River Clyde in central Glasgow and
create new open space and walkways for the public.
The project involved the construction of 250 metres of new sheet-piled
quay wall on the Tradeston (south) side of the Clyde. This wall was
constructed 20 metres into the river, thus reclaiming land upon which
a 500m2 linear park was constructed. Work on the Broomielaw (north)
side involved stabilisation of 400 metres of the existing quay wall by
insertion of steel tie rods and placing of rock armouring in front of the
quay wall.
A 900m2 linear park was constructed on the Broomielaw side. Both
linear parks included new architectural street lighting, bollards,
parapet railing, street furniture raised granite planters, architectural
landscaping and installation of granite paviors.
The regeneration project was funded by Glasgow City Council,
Scottish Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund.
The leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Steven Purcell,
formally opened the project on 14th May. Councillor Purcell said: ‘The
scheme to develop new public places will act as a catalyst for future
regeneration of the Tradeston area. It is important that the public
purse continues to invest in the city’s infrastructure at this difficult
time to bolster Glasgow’s economy and pave the way for future
development along the Clyde waterfront.’
08
12
GOING UNDERGROUND - GLASGOW SMALL ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Graham Construction together with Archial
Architects have gone underground with a
striking design for a new £10.5m pioneering
world-class centre for veterinary medicine
situated at the entrance to the grounds of
the Garscube Estate, Glasgow.
Since various aspects of the new facility did not
require natural light - much of its 4,500m2 involves
internal spaces such as the treatment area,
oncology and diagnostics - this design solution
was able to meet the needs of the hospital whilst
maintaining the integrity of the location.
Part of the University of Glasgow’s Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, the new Small Animal Hospital
provides state of the art services for animal owners
and referring practitioners throughout Scotland and
Northern England, including the most advanced
diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical techniques.
The apex lighting control system is operated by a
single control room to manage the energy needs
centrally. Energy can then be monitored and
measured with targets set to reduce. Movement
sensors, installed in each of the facility’s rooms,
track movements and shut down energy demand
after 30 minutes of no movement.
One of the chief concerns when conceiving the
design for this facility was how to create a large
hospital building without ruining the beautiful green
space for which the Garscube Estate is renowned.
Essentially, the solution involved lifting up the
ground, peeling off the grass and placing the
new building underneath.
In order to let daylight into public areas, an
innovative ‘crystal’ glass cupola, lit with different
colours at night, sits within the building’s sloping
grass roof.
Whilst the innovative design affords medical staff
unrestricted views out over the grassy bank, the
building’s public space comprises a waiting area,
reception island and café beneath the glass cupola
where staff and visitors can see out onto the roof.
Behind this public space is a social space with
access out onto the grass roof, which anyone
can walk across. The greenroof comprises a mix
of grass and wildflower species that will attract
and enhance local biodiversity and increase
the outdoor experience of this innovative and
sustainable feature.
Contracts Manager, James Mulroy, expressed his
delight in being involved in such a state of the art
facility that is leading the way in global veterinary
research. He stressed the pride felt by the whole
team with the prestigious finished product. The
client is overjoyed with the facility that stands out
as a real flaghip building that blends in with the
unspoilt rural 92 acre surrounding parkland.
ACTING TODAY - ENRICHING TOMORROW
Construction is the highest single waste generating
sector in industry today, generating one third of UK
and Ireland waste.
Graham has led the way in the sustainability arena
by becoming the FIRST construction company in NI
to commit to the UK Government’s latest target of
halving waste to landfill by 2012. Graham already
segregates the majority of its waste on sites to
assist with recycling, and, for clarity, has developed
specific branded signage on our sites. This is
further enhanced through our training to appoint
“waste champions” on all projects in an attempt
to eliminate waste to landfill and ensure that all
possible reuse or recycling occurs.
As a forward thinking construction company our
ethos of ‘Acting Today - Enriching Tomorrow’
encompasses topical issues such as climate
change and social injustice. Sustainable
development for Graham is based on creating a
better quality of life for the communities, clients
and stakeholders we work with now and into the
future, supporting economic growth and richly
improving the quality of our environment.
From Board level to site operatives, we aim to
adapt, develop and actively respond group wide to
the reduction of carbon and waste reacting to the
UK and NI Sustainable Development Strategy and
current economic climate.
on our new office site we have so far saved 1,310
tonnes of CO2, 13.1 tonnes of harmful pollutants,
1,360kWh energy x103 and 2,350 tonnes of virgin
limestone. This equates to taking 316 cars off the
road for 1 year, in terms of carbon emissions and
saving 257 years electricity use in the home for the
average household.
To minimise the volume of water used during
construction we have targets in place both to
reduce usage and divert to sustainable urban
drainage systems. This minimises the risk
of flooding and creates a wetland habitat for
protected amphibians.
After water, concrete is the most used substance
on the planet, therefore reducing its carbon
footprint in projects requires innovation. Graham
has used revolutionary eco-friendly concrete on
the Westlink project and on our New Head Office
in Hillsborough. We recommend this product to
our current and future clients. By making use of it
13
GRAHAM NEWS
SCHOOLS OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Graham Construction has successfully completed
the Scottish Borders Council three High Schools
PPP project on time for its Client, the Scottish
Borders Education Partnership (SBEP).
Financial Close was concluded on 30th January
2007 and the £72.5m project has taken 33
months to complete all three schools - Earlston,
Eyemouth and Berwickshire.
Together with our design team, the aim has been
to meet the Authorities requirements by designing
and building high quality modern robust schools
with internal and external spaces that delight and
inspire, having flexible spaces which facilitate future
learning patterns, with facilities suitable for people
of all ages and abilities whilst ensuring the buildings
are sustainable, thus respecting the environment
and encouraging community use.
Earlston High School
The three new schools have generated great
interest, not only from those involved with the
design and construction, but also from local
councillors, members of the general public, parents
and district councils in various parts of Scotland.
A reoccurring comment from everyone has been
‘simply fantastic’.
The design of the schools is striking and modern
and each has a real sense of place in keeping
with their locations. The facilities include superb
specialist classrooms for technology, science, arts
and crafts and sport as well as welcoming open
plan areas for dining and socialising. With the
growing emphasis placed on healthy lifestyles, the
schools can boast modern, well equipped kitchens
and serving areas to allow for the preparation of
high quality food.
A pre-construction assessment by the Building
Research Establishment (BRE) showed that the
buildings were capable of achieving the BREEAM
(BRE Environmental Assessment Method) Rating
of ‘Excellent’ which is based on credits achieved
from eight areas - management, health and
wellbeing, energy, transport, water, materials and
waste, land use and ecology and pollution. Each
of the school buildings were Air Pressure tested
Berwickshire High School
to identify any leakage paths where heat could
escape and the results exceeded the requirements
of the building regulations by 39%.
One of the key environmental features is the use of
biomass boilers in each school, capable of running
on woodchip with fuel potentially sourced from
local forests to reduce vehicle movements. Zoned
heating areas allow optimum control of temperature
and minimal energy consumption. Proximity sensor
operated lights will be on only when needed. Each
school has wind turbines to illustrate the potential
of renewable energy sources, while high ceilings
maximise daylight and improve internal air quality.
Assisted natural ventilation in the school improves
internal air quality and preheated fresh air intake
reduces drafts.
A professional ecologist has advised the design
team on natural habitat creation and protection.
The pond at Berwickshire is part of the sustainable
urban drainage system (SUDS). This means
that surface water running off the site gets
delivered into the pond in a controlled manner
(both in volume and water quality) before being
released into the natural open drainage system
which links into other open water courses in the
area and is drained in a natural way. The schools
have also developed waste recycling policies in
association with the local council and the Facilities
Management Company.
All three schools have also obtained an Excellent
rated “A” status Energy Performance Certificate
(EPC). Since January 2009 it has been mandatory
that all new public buildings in Scotland have an
EPC rating under the new European “Energy
Performance Certificate” regulations.
Having issued circulars to all 32 Scottish District
Councils, current evidence and responses received
suggest that the Borders Schools are the first in
Scotland to receive “A” rated EPCs.
Eyemouth High School
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Congratulations to all those involved in this
prestigious project.
CHOCKS AWAY!
The shell and core fit out of the new
control centre at Dublin Airport was
completed one week ahead of schedule.
It is not just major schemes that require careful
planning. Over the years our fit out team has
gained significant experience of fast build projects
in an airport environment.
Works have also been recently completed at
several retail spaces within Dublin, Shannon and
Cork Airports to ensure their compliance with
Tobacco Retail Sales Legislation.
The shell and core fit out of the new control centre
at Dublin Airport was completed and handed
over one week ahead of schedule. The centre
was officially opened by the Airport Director, Bob
Hillard, on 29th April who was impressed by the
fantastic job which had been done. The milestone
new centre which is located on Level 5 of the
terminal building will become the operational focal
point of the airport in the incoming months.
The works were carried out whilst the retail units
were open for business. Each unit required new
bespoke display joinery and associated services,
and floor and wall finishes.
Due to the time limits involved with these projects
all three sites were in progress simultaneously.
This required detailed programming and scheduling
of works to ensure all the units were delivered on
time and to the standard of finish expected by the
Airport Authorities.
DERELICT SITE TRANSFORMATION GETS GREEN LIGHT
The £18m scheme to transform derelict land in
South Belfast into a modern business park has
been given the go ahead. The four-acre site on the
Ormeau Embankment will house office space for
hundreds of workers.
Graham was appointed by the Department of
Social Development to develop the site following an
open competition run by the Department’s Belfast
Regeneration Scheme.
Michael Graham, Executive Chairman for Graham
said “There is a growing need for affordable office
accommodation within close proximity of the city
centre and transport links.
“This derelict site on the Ormeau Embankment
offers both a closeness to the city centre and
excellent transport link to the whole of Belfast.
The fact that it is a regeneration scheme where
we can improve the landscape and reuse derelict
land is an added bonus.”
Graham’s involvement with the local community
group and politicians has been central to this
proposal. Graham are in discussions with
The Bridge Community Association about the
community starting its own business to manage
the landscaping, maintenance and security of the
park once it is complete.
The business park will not only transform the area,
it will provide excellent employment opportunities
for local people with the creation of over 250 jobs
during construction and 650 office jobs when the
scheme is complete as well as spin-off revenue
for businesses in the area. The business park will
offer opportunities to people to start up their own
business or expand home based businesses. This
is the kind of investment and regeneration scheme
needed in the current economic climate.
15
GRAHAM NEWS
N52 TULLAMORE BYPASS – PROGRESS UPDATE
Work is progressing on programme on the €45m
N52 Tullamore Bypass project in County Offaly.
Over half a million cubic meters of material has
been shifted as part of the bulk earthworks. All
of the 12 major structures are complete and we
are currently blasting the remaining rock from an
on site borrow pit and processing 130,000m3
of material to meet the site requirements for
aggregates for drainage, capping, structural
backfill and Cement Bound Material (CBM).
Pavement works have commenced, and to date
a third of the site is laid with CBM and black top.
All major utility diversions are complete. Crash
barrier, accommodation works, street lighting
and installation of traffic signs are ongoing.
DIVING INTO THE FUTURE
Graham has recently finalised the pre-construction
evaluation of the proposed Refurbishment of the
Royal Commonwealth Pool facilities in Edinburgh,
in preparation for the contract commencement at
the start of August. Design team members and
City of Edinburgh Council representatives have
been delighted with the progress to date and the
fact that Graham is predicting the project to come
in slightly under the original budget of £31m.
New facilities will include an 8 lane 50 metre pool,
a 25 metre diving pool and 25 metre training and
warm up pool. All the pools will have movable
floors to accommodate a range of water sports
including infant paddling, informal play, water polo,
synchronized swimming, national and international
swimming and diving competitions. Also included
as part of the refurbishment are new soft play
facilities, a refurbished and expanded gym, fitness
studios, new changing village and a multi-function
area including office space with meeting and
conference rooms. The revamped facility will
ensure that the Royal Commonwealth Pool will
become a ‘centre of excellence’ for the next
generation of budding swimmers, divers
and athletes.
ST NEOT’S
LEISURE CENTRE
DELIVERED EARLY
The newly refurbished leisure centre at St Neot’s
was recently completed and handed over two
weeks ahead of the 22 week schedule, despite
extremely adverse weather conditions.
The project involved the refurbishment of the
leisure centre’s main reception, staff offices and
public toilets with the addition of two extensions to
create extra space in the office and toilet areas.
Works were of a typical construction nature
i.e. structural steel alterations, external cavity
walls/curtain walling, block/metal stud internal
partitions, MF plasterboard/tile and grid ceilings
and full finishes throughout including alterations to
the electrical/mechanical services.
Careful co-ordination with users was essential to
the success of the project as all other areas of the
leisure centre remained operational throughout
the duration of the project. All main controls
serving these areas were located within the site
boundaries on walls that had to be demolished.
One of the main problems faced was the
re-roofing of the entire area during the winter
months. High winds, torrential rain and snow
showers made this task particularly challenging
due to the live services and main electrical switch
room being directly beneath and the need to
maintain water tightness.
16
AWARDS KEEP COMING…
SUCCESS AT THE IRISH NEWS AWARDS 2009
Graham has picked up the Highly Commended
‘Right Place to Work’ Irish News Workplace &
Employment Award 2009.
In June a capacity crowd packed into the Ramada
Hotel for the gala black-tie dinner, where among
other guest speakers, Minister for Employment
and Learning, Sir Reg Empey congratulated
all the winners for their success in placing a
firm emphasis on individuals and their positive
contribution to the Northern Ireland workplace.
Supporting the competition from its inception
three years ago - he said it was ‘wonderful’ to
see the Workplace & Employment Awards going
from strength to strength. ‘More businesses and
organisations recognise the need to up skill their
existing workforce so they can make the most of
new opportunities,’ he said.
Mark Prentice, General Manager, Firmus Energy
presented the Highly Commended ‘Right Place
to Work’ award in the large organisation category
to Christelle Martin, Internal Communications
Manager, Graham. The award was achieved
for the company’s training and development
opportunities for staff, commitment to local
charities and community groups, supporting
the use of Fairtrade products and its overall
response to environmental issues.
Others shortlisted in the large organisation
category included Ikea Belfast, Henderson Group,
Northern Bank and Sainsbury’s Supermarkets.
ARCHITECTURAL RECOGNITION
FOR GLASGOW PROJECT
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
announced on 21st May the winners of the 2009
RIBA Awards. These awards are awarded for
buildings that have high architectural standards
and make a substantial contribution to the local
environment. The annual awards have been
running continuously since 1966.
One of Graham’s projects was amongst the
award winners - Pollok Civic Realm, Glasgow.
The client for the project was Glasgow City
Council, and design was undertaken by Archial
Architects (formerly Davis Duncan). The striking
building houses a café, library, museum, childcare facilities and other specialist social and
healthcare related services.
SILVER AWARD FOR VICTORIA
PRIMARY SCHOOL SITE
Graham Construction was recently
presented with a coveted Silver
Considerate Constructors Award
for the Victoria Primary School site.
The Considerate Constructors Awards
are presented to the highest
7.5% scored sites completed in the
previous year. The Awards give formal
recognition to excellent standards of
consideration towards the workforce,
neighbours and the environment.
From over 7,000 eligible sites, 560
were selected as National Award
Winners. More than 2,000 guests
attended a series of ceremonies
stretching over nine days.
SUSTAINABLE
BUILDING AWARD
FOR NEW GRAHAM
HEAD OFFICE
In May Graham received an award from Action
Renewables for the Most Sustainable Building
Project Ireland, sponsored by the Northern Ireland
Housing Executive. The award was presented by
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA,
for our flagship New Head Office in Hillsborough,
and bears testimony to our ability in acheving
not only sustainable best practice, but also to be
leaders in our field in these tough economic times.
Not yet complete, our new Head Office has already
achieved the highest BREEAM rating of Excellent
(the international environmental model assessment)
for such a development. Notable sustainability
features for which the award was won include
a Biomass wood pellet heat source, rainwater
harvesting, low carbon concrete, orientation
to maximize solar gain, natural ventilation and
ecological improvement of the site.
Pictured above: George Thompson, Graham Site Foreman Victoria Primary School and Mr John Spanswick, Chair,
Strategic Forum Health and Safety Group.
17
GRAHAM NEWS
FM MARKET EXPANSION
MONITORING THE SCOTTISH BORDERS
Graham FM Environmental Services Division has continued
its successful expansion into Scotland, securing a legionella
monitoring contract from the Scottish Borders Council for
over 500 council owned properties.
The contract has initially been secured for a one year period,
commencing June 2009, with the potential to extend for
a further 12 months, and will provide monitoring services
to 550 buildings in the Council Property portfolio including
leisure facilities, schools, police stations, fire stations and
public buildings.
TASK IN HAND
FÁILTE IRELAND WELCOMES GRAHAM FM!
Significant investment in innovative working
practices has put Graham FM at the forefront
of client engineer interaction. Innovative
handheld PDA’s loaded with a mobile version
of QFM Asset Management software, which
acts as an electronic interface between the
engineer and the Graham FM Helpdesk and
has been rolled out over current FM operations.
A major benefit of this technology is increased
speed of communication between site and
mobile maintenance representatives and the
Graham FM 24/7/365 helpdesk. This ensures
real time allocation and completion of jobs
along with immediate and accurate progress
reporting and feedback as well as the updating
of maintenance records.
Graham FM has recently added the maintenance
of two of Fáilte Ireland’s prestigious Dublin City
Centre sites to its existing FM portfolio in the city,
thus expanding Graham FM’s growing position
within the Republic.
Drawing upon their local facilities and maintenance
team, Graham FM provides an extensive range of
mechanical, electrical and building maintenance
services to Fáilte Ireland’s Amiens and Baggot
Street facilities in the heart of Dublin.
The contract also offers the opportunity to provide
project management for specialist projects
and refurbishment works to various branches
throughout Ireland as required. Projects to date
include the provision of electrical repairs and
refurbishment works as a result of flood damage
at Fáilte’s Castle St Office, Belfast.
GRAHAM FM LOCKS DOWN
Graham FM has commenced a 5 year £30m
Measured Term Contract for Maintenance
and Minor Works for NI Prison Service. They
will provide a comprehensive mechanical,
electrical and building fabric maintenance
service across the entire NI Prison Estate.
OFFICIAL OPENING OF NEWCASTLE CAMPUS
The Newcastle Campus of the South Eastern
Regional College (SERC) was officially opened in
June by the Minister for Employment and Learning,
Sir Reg Empey. The campus was designed and
built by O’Hare and McGovern and Graham FM is
managing it.
Graham Investment Projects has embarked upon
a 25-year partnership with SERC through its
shareholding in East Down Education Partnership,
which is responsible for the design, build, finance
18
and operation of three campuses in the SERC
estate. Phase 1 at Downpatrick has also opened
its doors to students.
Pictured (L-R): Gary Chambers, SERC;
Sandra Schmidt, EDEP; Martin Gillespie,
Graham FM; Eamon O’Hare, O’Hare & McGovern;
Mark Gillespie, Graham Investment Projects;
Brendan Toner, DEL; Shaunie O’Hare, O’Hare &
McGovern; Ian Cuthberston, EDEP; Paul Harris,
O’Hare & McGovern; Tom Redmond, DEL.
CONTRACT AWARD FOR VICTORIA SQUARE
Graham FM has secured a contract for the
provision of facilities management services to
Victoria Square with the responsibility for managing
all aspects of planned and reactive building,
electrical and mechanical maintenance services.
At approximately 75,000m2 and a footfall in excess
of 10 million visitors in 2008 alone, Victoria Square
is Northern Ireland’s first ‘urban neighbourhood’ a major commercial, residential and leisure
development comprising 80 retail outlets, 20
restaurants, car parking facilities and an eight
screen Odeon Cinema plus accommodation over
six levels, topped by the signature glass dome
observation point.
Graham FM will also provide technical advice to
the centre management team on energy, whole life
costs and further develop the planned maintenance
regime to ensure maintenance is targeted to
the key critical assets in the facility, minimising
disruption to the centre’s tenants, staff and the
general public.
CLARE HOUSE TAKEN FORWARD
ELECTRICAL EXPANSION
After three years of partnership with
the Central Procurement Directorate,
Graham FM has been asked to extend
the total facilities management service
provided to Clare House, Airport Road
West, Belfast for a further 12 months.
Graham FM has successfully expanded into
the Northern Ireland electrical installation and
maintenance market, recently acquiring a measured
term contract for electrical new works and repairs
up to a value of £50,000 for the Belfast Health and
Social Care Trust for a duration of 3 years, with the
potential to extend to contract by an additional
12 month period.
Graham FM has provided a total
facilities management solution at Clare
House since it’s opening, appointing
an onsite facilities team who have
successfully integrated into the day
to day operations of the facility, an
approach which has been found to
consistently exceed client expectations
and service standard requirement.
Services onsite commenced in April, and will
accommodate over 140 healthcare properties
across the Trust’s jurisdiction, including
Musgrave Park Hospital, Forster Green Hospital,
Knockbracken Healthcare Park and numerous
properties throughout the South and Eastern
Community, inclusive of health centres, clinics,
Trust owned sheltered accommodation and care
facilities.
FURTHER SUCCESS FOR GRAHAM FM
AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST
Further to the Winter 2008/2009 edition
announcement of Graham FM’s recent success
in winning Planned and Reactive Maintenance
Services Contract for the Student Plus Facilities at
Queen’s University Belfast, Graham FM have since
been awarded a comprehensive Measured Term
Contract (MTC) to provide an extensive range of
building, mechanical and electrical maintenance
services to over 200 additional Queen’s properties.
We believe that the addition of this contract to the
current Graham FM project portfolio will create
demonstrable synergies across Graham FM
operations at Queen’s University through shared
back office resources, and through bulk purchasing
of equipment, materials and consumables.
Graham FM will continue to drive cost efficiencies
across the separate contracts, through ongoing
continuous improvement and through the
development of a strong working partnership with
the Queen’s Estates teams and Student Plus to
understand and fully accommodate the changing
requirements of the entire estate.
The MTC contract commenced on 5th January and
is anticipated to continue for the full extension term
of up to 4 years.
19
GRAHAM NEWS
SAMUEL BECKETT SITE VISIT
A site visit to the Samuel Beckett Bridge, Dublin,
organised by Sheelagh Dornan (Graduate
Development Manger) was carried out in May.
In total fifteen graduates attended. The bridge
constructed in Holland under a Graham Hollandia
Joint Venture, only arrived to the site the previous
day after being delayed due to strong winds.
John Rainey, Section Engineer, gave a tour of the
site and explained site activities. Most interesting to
the group was the Main Central Pivot Point which
is positioned in the river bed close to one of the
embankments. The engineers were able to walk to
the piling works and cofferdam and thanks to the
Macken Street team documents provided for each
engineer demonstrated the work being undertaken.
John also explained the logistics of what is needed
to finally lift the bridge onto its pivoting position.
Feedback from the visit has been excellent and
is being hailed as a great success by all. ‘Apart
from the knowledge gained during the site visit, it
was also a good opportunity to meet fellow recent
CONSTRUCTION SKILLS ENJOY GRAHAM SITE VISITS
Students and Lecturers from South Eastern
Regional College (SERC) visited the Belfast City
Hall site in April. We also facilitated a site visit to
the Ulster Hall, Belfast for eleven DEL careers
officers from throughout Northern Ireland. Gary
Holmes (Contracts Director) guided them through
the project providing a comprehensive overview
of the history of the Ulster Hall and the work
carried out.
All participants benefited from the experience,
enhancing the profile of Graham and providing the
careers officers with a hands-on insight into the
requirements and breadth of engineering careers.
LEARNING FOR LIFE & WORK
ConstructionSkills NI in partnership with CCEA
arranged a Learning For Life & Work Teacher visit
to two Graham Construction sites in June.
The first visit was to the new eco-friendly Graham
Construction Head Office site at Hillsborough.
On arrival Sheelagh Dornan, Graduate
Development Manager for Graham welcomed
everyone and gave background information
on Graham Construction. Jacqueline Gibson
(Sustainability Coordinator) then delivered a
powerpoint presentation explaining the eco friendly
aspects of the new development.
The visitors had a tour of the site conducted
by the Project Manager, Victor Hamilton and
Jonathan Diffen, Site Engineer. The teachers were
particularly impressed by the bright open plan
structure and the heating and ventilation systems.
They were intrigued to note that the building will
have no light or heat switches and that temperature
and lighting will be centrally controlled.
The teachers then went to the Banbridge Academy
site where they met with Gerard O’Hare, Project
Manager and David McGinnis, Site Manager. Paul
Clarke, one of Graham apprentice joiners shared
his experience of working for Graham and his
choice of career. The teachers then had a tour of
the site where both Gerard and David spoke in
depth about the project.
Graham Head Office, Lagan Mills, Dromore, County Down,
Northern Ireland, BT25 1AS Tel: +44 (0) 28 9269 2291,
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9269 3412, Email: [email protected]
GETSET WORK
EXPERIENCE
The GETSET programme is aimed at lower
sixth girls from schools and Colleges of Further
Education throughout the Province. It offers
students a unique opportunity to experience
the world of engineering. The four day course,
organised by Sentinus, aims to increase
student awareness of career opportunities
within science and engineering fields and allows
them to make informed decisions.
The programme targets girls who want to enter
engineering at undergraduate level and gives
them the opportunity to meet and discuss
issues for women in engineering with young
role models already working in the field. They
also have the opportunity to visit both local
universities, have a close look at their chosen
discipline and spend two days on placement
with an engineer from a local company.
Graham has facilitated the GETSET
Programme for a number of years. This year
we provided a placement for Rachel McMurray
from Newry who attends Sacred Heart
Grammar School and is keen to pursue a
career in civil engineering. The placement was
part of a week-long event in association with
Queens University Belfast. Rachel was placed
with our IWWF team at Belfast Sewers where
she shadowed Site Engineer Ray Burke. Ray
provided Rachel with an intensive overview
of the opportunities within Graham as a civil
engineer and encouraged her in following her
career aspirations. The feedback received
confirmed a very positive and worthwhile
experience for everyone involved.
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Graham is currently working with ConstructionSkills
delivering a showcase of events to a number of
professional bodies and visitors.
graduates within Graham, and to discuss at
what stage they are at in their respective
chartership routes’ (Darren DeLargy,
Graduate Engineer, Graham).
This brochure is made from 100%
recycled post consumer waste, certified
by the Forest Stewardship Council with
excellent environmental credentials.
www.graham.co.uk