Specialist contractor Volta Compliance has designed and successfully delivered the electrical installation for Richard Austin Alloys’ (RAA) expanded Manchester facility, fitting metering to provide valuable insights into energy usage, and EV charging points to facilitate greener travel.
Leading aluminium and stainless-steel stockholder RAA needed to extend its Manchester location with a new build, featuring additional storage, employee and HGV access, and ground and first-floor offices. The site would operate for 24 hours a day, also incorporating loading bays and an HGV turning circle.
RAA appointed Volta Compliance as its mechanical and electrical contractor, having worked with the Leeds-based specialist on previous projects.
RAA’s director Andrew Finlay commented: “Our relationship with Volta started over 20 years ago. They have assisted us with many projects, small and large, and always go the extra mile, which is why we continue to use them.”
Volta Compliance’s team (led by managing director Richard Carr) used specialist software to design the installation, gaining a clear overview of incoming supply, cable sizes and voltage drop while cross-checking manually.
A combination of cable tray and galvanised trunking and conduit was used for the containment system, which included high-level lighting busbars. Volta worked closely with a range of suppliers; trunking was provided by Legrand UK, while Sheffield-based Gripple Ltd designed a containment system for the warehouse and offices.
Tensioned catenary was used to support the lighting busbar and associated LED lighting; the latest technology available for this kind of application, it offered almost tool-free installation.
Keen to provide an efficient and responsive solution, Volta Compliance metered the mains incoming and sub main distribution, which would enable RAA to monitor its energy usage. Pulsed output metering technology was installed, with data available to access and review via an online portal.
Safety was also a priority, and Volta Compliance installed both fire systems and emergency lighting onsite. CCTV (providing full coverage both internally and externally) was supplied by leading UK distributor Oprema Ltd.
The site was designed for 24-hour operation, and its LED lighting systems are guaranteed for a duration of 80,000 hours of continuous illumination. Volta Compliance installed exterior lamp post-mounted floodlighting to illuminate the HGV turning circle and associated access points. Supplied by Disano, this energy-efficient lighting is controlled via occupancy sensors, photocells and timers. Heating, cooling and heat recovery are also controlled automatically for maximum efficiency.
Following this high-level project, Volta Compliance developed a planned preventative maintenance programme for RAA. This will ensure that the installation is properly maintained, and remains safe, efficient and compliant.
The business can also manage its compliance documentation via Volta’s user-friendly online portal.
Richard commented: “Although, as with any sizeable project, there were challenges along the way, the result is fantastic and we are proud to hand over the fully designed, installed and commissioned mechanical and electrical installation, complete with a planned preventative maintenance contract.”
