Promat keeps fire protection scope on track for key power network rebuild
When a critical link in the UK’s power network needed rebuilding, Promat was the go-to choice to ensure demanding fire protection standards were met within tight timeframes.
The Sellindge substation in Kent provides a critical connection between the UK and French electricity grids, helping to ensure consistent power for both nations. So, when a major fire knocked the facility offline the rebuild project needed to include extremely high standards of fire protection to minimise the chance of a recurrence.
This task was complicated further by the deepening energy crisis, which hastened the need for Sellindge to be back up and operational as soon as possible. This meant that it became critical for the fire protection scope to be delivered from start to finish in just a few months.
Kevan Crowe, Technical Director at Sharpfibre explains:
“Sellindge is an extremely important facility for the UK power network and so we were tasked with making sure the rebuilt substation had an enhanced level of fire protection. With time pressures due to the challenges in the energy market, we spoke to Promat to explore how we could balance installing a high-performance system within an ambitious timeframe.”
High-performance fire protection
This work began by establishing an accurate, bespoke specification for what is no ordinary substation – the scale of equipment at Sellindge requires huge halls reaching up to 16m in height. Fire protection technical specialists at Promat and Sharpfibre worked together to produce a specification using both DURASTEEL® and VERMICULUX®-S.
DURASTEEL is a composite board with a fibre reinforced concrete core and galvanised steel out facings, designed to offer high levels of fire resistance with exceptional robustness for constructing fire compartmentation. This was particularly effective at Sellindge, where other products were not suitable for use at the height required.
VERMICULUX-S is a non-combustible calcium silicate board which provides up to 240 minutes fire protection for structural steel, allowing buildings to maintain loadbearing capacity for longer when exposed to fire. The combination of these two high performance products meant that Sellindge benefited from a comprehensive fire protection system that ensured excellent protection from both the spread of fire and the risk it could pose to the structural integrity of the building.
On schedule
To ensure the tight timeframes were met, this specification work was completed in parallel with procurement. The challenge then was to ensure over 25,000m2 of Promat products could be delivered to site as soon as possible to allow Sharpfibre to start installation.
Promat worked alongside Sharpfibre’s skilled CAD technician, who had already put together a BIM model of the project, enabling them to assist in turning indicative designs into workable drawings, saving valuable time once site works began.
Joshua Slack, National Specification Manager for Promat:
“We needed to get the bulk of materials onto the site in less than two months to align with the build schedule at Sellindge. This meant working very closely not only with Sharpfibre but also our distributor Encon and internal factory and warehouse teams to get a thorough logistics plan in place.
“We pride ourselves on finding ways to support customers when they have this kind of logistical challenge so that they are able to commence installation work and have buildings protected from fire as soon as possible.”
Razvan Tudor, Contracts Director at Sharpfibre explains:
“This was a demanding project both in terms of the specification requirements and the time in which we had to deliver it. Promat helped to make this possible by supporting us during the design stage and going the extra mile to make sure the product was available at short notice.”
