VF, Bardon

VF, Bardon

Case Studies

Posted on 

June 11, 2021

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Project Story

A&F were successful in tendering the base build works for VF Bardon, which was being built to become VF’s UK distribution centre.  We were awarded the base build works in June 2019.

VF as a company have a revenue of 13.8 billion USD and employ over 50,000 people.  With such brands as Vans, The North Face & The Timberland company amongst some of their subsidiaries, VF are a global force and the standards for the design and build of the warehouse were high.

In June 2019 our team of experienced specialist designers set work to produce the base build designs for the proposed warehouse to FM design standards.

With ESFR sprinklers at roof, standard coverage sprinklers in the offices and extended coverage sprinklers installed under the mezzanines – A&F produced these designs well within the required time to allow the authorities having jurisdiction to approve the drawings and for us to procure the required materials and labour to meet program restraints.

Working closely with the Principal Contractor, Winvic, we started on site in July 2019 installing the underground hydrant main, which supplied 3 off manifold locations within the warehouse as well as 13 off firefighting hydrants.

The unusually wet summer months led to a challenging underground main install with several days lost to the weather.

Despite challenges with the British weather, our underground main specialist contractor and Winvic’s ground workers worked well to turn around the lost days and we completed our underground fire main as per the required program.

In September the warehouse steelwork was erected and working off hardcore we began to install 6 off roof installations with 6832 ESFR sprinkler heads at roof level, A&F closely followed behind the roofing contractors to average around 1000 heads per week which was impressive as the building was relatively high at 22m to the apex.

We had multiple installation teams working on site to carry out the installation of the 3 off manifolds each with 11 off installation control valves in total for base build works, 2 off story main offices (300 off sprinkler heads), the 2 off story mezzanine (1328 off extended coverage sprinklers), the hub offices (120 off sprinkler heads) and the pre-action system into the hub comms room.

Early in January 2020 we handed over 50% of the building prior to the required early access date, to let the fit out works commence, though we had completed all roof installation, the offices, the hub offices and 50% of the mezzanines.

All our works were complete by March 2020.

Other Posts

Project Story

A&F were successful in tendering the base build works for VF Bardon, which was being built to become VF’s UK distribution centre.  We were awarded the base build works in June 2019.

VF as a company have a revenue of 13.8 billion USD and employ over 50,000 people.  With such brands as Vans, The North Face & The Timberland company amongst some of their subsidiaries, VF are a global force and the standards for the design and build of the warehouse were high.

In June 2019 our team of experienced specialist designers set work to produce the base build designs for the proposed warehouse to FM design standards.

With ESFR sprinklers at roof, standard coverage sprinklers in the offices and extended coverage sprinklers installed under the mezzanines – A&F produced these designs well within the required time to allow the authorities having jurisdiction to approve the drawings and for us to procure the required materials and labour to meet program restraints.

Working closely with the Principal Contractor, Winvic, we started on site in July 2019 installing the underground hydrant main, which supplied 3 off manifold locations within the warehouse as well as 13 off firefighting hydrants.

The unusually wet summer months led to a challenging underground main install with several days lost to the weather.

Despite challenges with the British weather, our underground main specialist contractor and Winvic’s ground workers worked well to turn around the lost days and we completed our underground fire main as per the required program.

In September the warehouse steelwork was erected and working off hardcore we began to install 6 off roof installations with 6832 ESFR sprinkler heads at roof level, A&F closely followed behind the roofing contractors to average around 1000 heads per week which was impressive as the building was relatively high at 22m to the apex.

We had multiple installation teams working on site to carry out the installation of the 3 off manifolds each with 11 off installation control valves in total for base build works, 2 off story main offices (300 off sprinkler heads), the 2 off story mezzanine (1328 off extended coverage sprinklers), the hub offices (120 off sprinkler heads) and the pre-action system into the hub comms room.

Early in January 2020 we handed over 50% of the building prior to the required early access date, to let the fit out works commence, though we had completed all roof installation, the offices, the hub offices and 50% of the mezzanines.

All our works were complete by March 2020.

While this hive of activity was going on internally, outside we were erecting the 2 off sprinkler water storage tanks.  Upon completion of the tanks, we installed the pumphouse water supplies and after electrical works were complete the pumps were commissioned and after a complete flush of the installations, we made the system live.

In October 2019, A&F were successful in tendering the fit out works for VF Bardon. With the required start date of January 2020 in mind, we produced the required designs for the mini-load and shuttle racking systems.  The scale of which was impressive with 35 off installation control valves and over 60,000 ESFR sprinklers to be installed in the racks as well as an intricate feed main design from the manifolds to the rack locations.

Once drawings were approved by insurers, the client and the base build developer we began to procure goods in time for starting in January 2020.

Work then began on the installations of the mini-load and shuttle racks.  We had several teams to work as closely as possible with the logistics provider to ensure we met program requires for the rack build.

The impressive work continued, with manifold extensions to allow for the additional installation control valves and the trunk main installation being done towards the end of the rack build.

By September 2020 we had completed our installation works and work began to test the installations.  Successful testing of the 35 off systems and 60,00 sprinklers meant that in October 2020 we had completed all testing and commissioning and handed the works over to the client.

The outcome

The sprinkler system delivered on time and to our expected high standards for a high-profile client who is delighted with our effort and commitment to help achieve project expectations despite an unprecedented, challenging year.

Project Statistics

  • 13 Month program duration.
  • 535,580 sq. ft.
  • 2 off 186m3 water storage tanks – 6.975m tall x 5.047m diameter.
  • 1 off 2000 usgpm @ 136 psi diesel fire pump.
  • 250mm underground hydrant main feeding x3 manifold locations and x13 hydrant locations.
  • 3 off sprinkler manifolds.
  • 6 off wet roof installations control valves.
  • 35 off wet rack installation control valves.
  • 2 off office installation control valves.
  • 2 off mezzanine installation control valves.
  • 1 off double interlock pre-action system.
  • 6832 off ESFR roof sprinklers.
  • 60,496 off ESFR rack sprinklers.
  • 1328 off Extended coverage K360 sprinklers.
  • 320 off standard response office sprinklers.
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