In this contract Cussons operated as lead member of a consortium formed with a major civil engineering contractor for the total establishment of these facilities from a "green field" site. The new test house has an envelope of approximately 70 x 30m and provides approximately 1600m2 of functional internal space comprising 4 engine cells, 2 transmission cells, rigging workshops, and a substantial clean area far the overhaul and test of a wide range of specialised vehicle hydraulics equipment.
All facility services were provided within the scope of the contract. Test operations are conducted via Cussons computer based systems, equipment handling utilises automatic engine loading arrangements. The test house is required to cope with a very wide range of equipment ratings from ancillary power units to main "battle tank" propulsion engines rated at up to 1100 kW. the engine test cells are of generous proportions typically 8 x 5.2m with a 4.5m clear ceiling height, the construction is of high density blockwork with special attention being paid to the control of acoustic transmission throughout the facility. The cells are individually ventilated with high throughput input and extract systems, air distribution within the cells is arranged to ensure optimum control of engine air intake temperatures and to effectively scavenge possible fumes and toxic/inflammable vapours from the floor spaces. To minimise the building construction complexity and avoid undesirable underfloor areas, all services are introduced via the ceiling of the test cell communicating directly with a "packaged" engine services module adjacent to the test stand. The specialised building plant services are controlled via a P.L.C. system interfaced with the individual test bed computer control and data management systems.
Although not currently planned within this facility, the dedicated test cell computers may be networked to a suitable host machine to provide overall facility test management and automated long term test data retrieval.
The facility was completed in a period of 13 months and was handed over on the 8th September, 1988. Cussons partners in the development of this project were Cementation Construction Ltd., a major U.K. based civil engineering organisation within the Trafalgar House Group. Trafalgar House are among the largest and most successful U.K. Group of Companies with diverse interests including prominently the Cunard shipping line. Within their construction activities the Group operates internationally and has a turnover in excess of £2,000 million. This consortium project organisation provided the client with a single point contract responsibility and proved to be a very successful way of ensuring the effective integration of complex plant, services and buildings within a demanding protect timescale environment.
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