Unitrunk drives efficiency at Southampton Docks multi-deck installation

EasyConnect cable basket from Unitrunk was used for the electrical fit-out of vehicle storage car parks at Southampton Docks.

EasyConnect cable basket from Unitrunk’s RIS (Rapid Installation Systems) was used for the electrical fit-out of two vehicle storage car parks at Southampton Docks, enabling electrical contractor, Rigfone Electrics, to significantly save on both the cost of the installation and the programme.

Constructed as part of a £450m upgrade of the seafront and ferry terminals in Southampton, new multi-deck car parks will enable import and export vehicles to be stored securely before their onward journey.

Rigfone specified Unitrunk’s EasyConnect after using the company’s RIS systems on a Ministry of Defence project. The contractor was so impressed by the speed and ease of installation provided by Unitrunk EasyConnect cable basket that the system was used for all submains, power, lighting control and lighting containment requirements on multi-decks 6 and 7.

At ground floor level, each multi-deck features a 5m floor to ceiling height and there are 3m ceiling heights for levels 1-4, creating significant working at height challenges.

Rigfone Electrics’ John Hubbard said: “With a project involving such high ceilings, simplicity of design and installation are critical. For this project, that had to be combined with a robust and hardwearing installation, capable of meeting the client’s stipulation of a 10-year minimum service life.

“Unitrunk’s specification support, onsite training and simple to use EasyConnect cable basket not only helped us to meet project requirements within the designated programme but also enabled us to save a couple of minutes and a couple of pence on every 3m length of tray – considerable savings on a project totalling 20km.”

The EasyConnect basket was specified in hot dip galvanised steel with stainless steel fixings. Due to the high ceilings, the cable management system was suspended from the concrete slab by metal rods at 1.5m intervals, fixed in place with resin – guaranteed for a minimum of 10 years.

Mr Hubbard adds: “Not only was the EasyConnect system fast and simple to install but the use of basket throughout the multi-decks ensures ease of access to cabling for maintenance, delivering a facility that offers true operational efficiency.”

www.unitrunk.co.uk