The Costco Wholesale Corporation’s European Headquarters extension works, new parking facility, and petrol filling station in Watford were carried out over five phases:

• Enabling Works - full relocation of existing Sprinkler Pump House, Water Storage, relocation and replacement of existing HV/LV Transformer and LV Switch room
• New Multi storey Car Park
• Refurbishment of existing Car Park
• Petrol Filling Station
• Office Extension (1369sq/m office)

The enabling works from an MEP perspective were by far the most challenging section of works, as the area where the extension was planned needed to be cleared of existing Sprinkler and Electrical services prior to any groundworks commencing. With many unknown existing services in and around the building, accurate surveying was required to be undertaken in order to plan the relocation of existing sprinkler pump house (2 diesel & 1 elec pump), water storage facilities, and relocation/replacement of HV/LV transformer and LV switch room all whilst the Wholesale Store was in full operation.

Constant communication between all parties including Costco themselves was paramount for the meticulous planning and execution of these works. In particular with the challenge of pre-arranged shutdown timeframes being extremely tight due to European time differences certainly there always had to be a ‘just in case’ plan B and C in operation in all instances.

The LV Switch room changeover plan again was similar in the fact that the new 1250KVA Transformer and Switch room were located early and energised. Over the course of a three week window, new cables were pulled in (during the day) and then over-night shutdowns allowed each cable to be isolated from the existing panel, jointed, tested and re-energised from the new panel.

The multi-storey Car Park and refurbishment of existing car park were much more straightforward that the enabling works with the planning and installation of CCTV, lighting (incl em lighting), lifts, power, fire alarms and car parking space counters.

The Office extension works consisted of new roof mounted Air Handling Units, Photovoltaic Array, and VRF Condensers, with Heat Recovery Units, VRF air conditioning within the office and meeting areas, general lighting, em lighting, fire alarms, power, security, CCTV and Management Controls.