Polypipe Building Services, the UK’s leading developer of water management solutions for the commercial sector, will help to complete one of the largest construction projects ever commissioned by a UK university.
The Kent-based business was selected to supply a water management system to the University of Manchester’s colossal £400 million Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) in the city.
Built environment consultant Arup requested Polypipe Building Services to provide a drainage management system for the eight-storey, 78,000sqm building. The Building Services team delivered a plastic solution which incorporated large diameter Terrain FUZE soil and waste pipes. The installation of the system was undertaken by mechanical contractor NG Bailey.
To maximise installation efficiencies, Polypipe Building Services also provided continuous support during the design stage and training to contractors on site.
Jonathan Greenwood, Technical Sales Manager at Polypipe Building Services, said: “In order to remove the rainwater, we worked with the design proposal and configured the FUZE trap in the basement with the expansion of pipe in horizontal runs, which included bracketry and jointing methods.
“We were able to offer a range of fittings and materials that were sympathetic to the aesthetics of the building, while ensuring contractors on site were fully prepared to install the solution when they were delivered to the development.
“We pride ourselves on supplying systems that provide not only multifunctional benefits to the end user, but also financial and manpower efficiencies to our customers during projects.”
According to the university, MECD has been designed to create “world-class facilities for innovation in technology and working practices, and encourage collaboration between researchers, schools and industry”.
The seven-year development, which will have a huge overall floor space the size of 11 football pitches, will house almost 7,000 university students and more than 1,200 staff.
Don Mercer, Mechanical Senior Project Manager at NG Bailey, said: “Having previously worked with Polypipe Building Services on a number of other projects, we were already familiar with the company’s dedication to quality and efficiency and its expertise.
“Being such a high-profile development, we knew Polypipe was the ideal drainage provider for a project of this scale. We were naturally thrilled with the solution Polypipe supplied. It surpassed all expectations.
“We look forward to continuing our great relationship with Polypipe Building Services in the coming years.”
Diana Hampson, director of estates and facilities at the University of Manchester, added: “MECD will create facilities that will put the university at the forefront of engineering globally, helping attract even more world-class talent to the institution.
“We are proud to provide such an exceptional space for our exceptional people.”
MECD is due to open in 2021.