Industrial News

The school was able to continue the term’s remaining science lessons in existing accommodation, but needed to find a way to get high-quality, fully operational science labs built and ready for lessons, before students returned in the autumn.

The insurance company quickly confirmed that a complete new science complex had to be built. The architect appointed by the insurance loss adjustor was aware of Portakabin’s excellent reputation in the education sector, and it quickly emerged that Portakabin was the only company able to commit to the tight timescales of the project.

The Portakabin Customer Charter provided the assurance that the company could meet the deadline. This unique Charter promises that Portakabin will deliver buildings on time and on budget. If the company ever fails to do this, it pledges to provide a week’s free hire for every day it is late.

Within two days of the explosion, the school was delighted to receive a full initial costing from Portakabin. Working closely with the school, Portakabin selected a suitable location and designed a science block that would meet the school’s precise requirements.

The new block included four laboratories and a preparation room, as well as two storage areas. The building was accessed by a ramp, and fitted with heating and a climate control system, all provided by Portakabin. The company was able to accommodate the specific requirements of a science teaching area by supplying non-slip flooring, acid-resistant worktops, fire-resistant storage facilities and even a secure cupboard for storing radioactive materials.

A timescale was drawn up by Portakabin for delivering, installing and equipping the buildings before the end of the summer holidays. The buildings were duly delivered on the agreed date and were connected to all services and fitted out with everything from sinks to gas taps in time for the arrival of the students in September.

“I was amazed that Portakabin managed to do so much in such a short timescale,” says Bursar, Clive Martin. “All along I’d had doubts that everything could be completed in time, but I was very impressed by Portakabin’s positive approach to meeting the promised completion date.

“People returning after their holidays were really impressed by the standard of accommodation we had been able to put in place. It was quite a complex project too,” he adds. “Portakabin took care of everything and managed the whole project, which means we now have a very high quality science teaching block to replace the damaged facilities.”

For details on this and other modular building projects contact www.yorkon.co.uk