Chester Zoo
Key Benefits
- Total electrical service offerings
- Project completed ahead of deadline
- Cost effective services
- Reassurance from using professional, expert electrical engineering business
Background
Chester Zoo, one of the largest in the UK, was established in 1934 and covers an impressive 100 acres. Operated by the North of England Zoological Society, the zoo is renowned for its many breeding successes and involvement in co-operative breeding programmes. Annual visitor attendance exceeds 1 million. It plays an important role in developing conservation outreach, research, education and marketing strategies. The zoo employs over 250 permanent staff, increasing in the summer months.
The Project
Always famous for its innovative enclosure designs, Chester Zoo has excelled itself with the opening in May 2007 of the Realm of the Red Ape, a £3.5 million extension to the existing orangutan house and the most expensive capital project in the zoo's history. The new two story building - housing the largest orangutan exhibit in Europe - comprises three indoor and two outdoor enclosures and a first floor public gallery for viewing the indoor enclosures, themed as an Indonesian rainforest.
Quartzelec was invited by the builder’s M&E subcontractor to competitively tender for the supply, installation and commissioning of the project’s complete electrical services.
The scope of the work included installation of the main distribution and sub-mains distribution network, the supply and installation of exhibit, ambient, approach and emergency lighting, small power, the fire detection and alarm system, CCTV and associated electronic security, and structured cabling for telecoms and data.
Quartzelec also installed mechanical services supplies and lightning protection.
Quartzelec also works on a direct supply basis to the zoo, mainly on its high voltage network and standby generators
Outcome
“No two projects are the same, but Chester Zoo was particular interesting because of the environment and some of their specific requirements. The Realm of the Red Ape is a prime example of the range of services we can handle, and we won the contract thanks to a combination of expertise, credentials and cost.”
Malcolm Harding
Building Services, Business Development Manager, Quartzelec’s Wrexham office.