Fieldway Group - Temporary Electrics Management

Introduction

 

The following information has been prepared to provide management with guidance on how to set up temporary site electric systems as cost effectively and as environmentally friendly as possible.

Planning

• Make use of the services of our specialist temporary electric companies to help you plan the site electrics. Electric supplies, whether temporary or permanent, require contact with the local electricity authority, electricity supplier, meter and cable installers. They often have more influence over the statutory authority than we do.
• Wherever possible, try to connect to an existing building supply from neighbouring premises e.g. a school, university etc. Install a meter to measure usage. This way charges will be approx 8p / unit as opposed to in excess of 20p for a dedicated temporary supply.
• Even if the existing premises do not have sufficient spare capacity o power the whole site, they may have spare capacity to power the site offices.

Generators

• Generators should be a last resort to provide temporary power due to their high running costs.
• If generators are inevitable then ensure their output is within 15% of the supply required. Generators consume excessive amounts of fuel and an over specified generator will consume a disproportionate amount of fuel when delivering the same output of a smaller generator.
• Give consideration to having a smaller generator on site to maintain essential electrical supplies at night when a reduced load is required. On a large site this can create considerable savings.
• Consider changing the generator to a smaller unit when energy demands change from winter to summer and when tower cranes or hoists are off hired. Huge savings can result which more than offset the changeover costs.

Lighting

Flood lighting - use HQI 110v fittings where possible. 150W fittings use 1/5 of the energy compared to a comparable conventional 750w floodlight. 360 degree High bay HQI light fittings are also available.

• Internally LED fluorescent fittings are the first and best choice for general lighting as they provide excellent illumination and can include emergency back up fittings. Alternative low energy bulbs can be used, albeit, they are less cost effective.
• Consideration should be given to the planning of the installation relative to the building works. Fixing to the underside of the M & E support structure is often the best location and is easily relocated for ceiling installation.
• Festoon lighting is available with low energy lamps inside a protective polycarbonate globe and is an alternative to the traditional festoon lights which are now banned on Kier sites. LED festoon lights are available but are only cost effective if they are recovered completely after use and not left in above ceilings.

Benefits to LED lighting:

• The LED flood lighting offers a true white light with zero flicker, which dramatically improves the video quality of CCTV imagery.
• LED lights last longer and hence reduce maintenance.
• LED lights are light in weight, so easy to carry around, adjust and install.
• The cables to the LED lights are small, so are easy to install and maintain.
• LED lights operate on less voltage and do not emit heat and are therefore safer.

 

Site Cabins

 

• If cabins are to be moved on sites then order the ones with external plug sockets, this enables them to be connected and disconnected easily.
• When ordering the MDU (Mains Distribution Unit) to feed the office establishment, order a time control unit with the MDU which will enable the offices to be switched off at night.
• Some suppliers offer energy saving transformers that have the ability to switch off all non essential lights, which will likely be around 90% of the lights. This is done through a control system in the transformer.

 

Conclusion

 

By application of many of the measures outlined above, savings in the region of many thousands of £s can be achieved on larger projects. In addition to this the environmental impact of the resultant CO2 savings is also very significant.