Working with main contractor Morgan Sindall, Bower Fuller carried out the mechanical and electrical package for the new Community Diagnostic Centre, at Thurrock Hospital, Essex.

The project combined the part refurbishment of existing areas with a new build extension to create a single facility offering faster access for patients to vital tests and scans for local residents – without the need to go to hospital. The facility comprises ultrasound, X-ray, echocardiogram and CT and MRI suites, and is designed to support more than 75,000 diagnostic appointments every year.

The mechanical scope included extensive services and a complex arrangement of roof top plant installations within the new infill of the building. Six new air handling units with integrated service corridors, three new 100kW air source heat pumps, a general chiller, MRI chillers, a packaged pump enclosure, extract fans and humidifiers have all been carefully co-ordinated through 3D modelling to ensure an efficient fit and maintainability.  New ventilation, domestic services, heating, drainage and DX systems have been installed throughout the clinical areas.

Within the MRI room, all of our services including ductwork and pipework routed through the faraday cage are non-metallic to avoid interference with the magnet. We also provided the quench pipework system from the MRI equipment to safely discharge helium gas in the event of a sudden loss of superconductivity in the magnet.

The electrical scope incorporated new low-voltage installations from the transformer to a new 1600A LV panel. A manual transfer switch was added to support a temporary generator for critical MRI equipment and chiller plant.

An existing 280 kVA generator serving neighbouring hospital buildings was carefully removed, refurbished, and relocated within a new acoustic enclosure. This was achieved through detailed planning, coordination, and sequencing. It necessitated multiple electrical changeovers and temporary power provisions during the refurbishment.

Other electrical elements included LED lighting with smart lighting controls, centralised emergency lighting monitoring, and bespoke SKY LED panels in the MRI and CT areas to enhance patient experience by creating a calming, less clinical environment. Fire alarm, security, and access control systems have also been installed, along with a new Category 6A network infrastructure and a 40 kW PV system.