Worthing Town Hall, West Sussex
Worthing Town Hall: Extensive Electrical Upgrades for a Historic Building
Bradbury Electrical was appointed to carry out a series of extensive electrical upgrades at Worthing Town Hall, a prominent listed building located in the heart of Worthing, West Sussex. This iconic structure, which serves as a hub for local government services and community events, required a complete overhaul of its electrical systems to ensure the building met modern standards of safety, accessibility, and functionality. Given the historical nature of the building, the project also required a careful balance of contemporary upgrades with a respect for the heritage of the space.
The scope of the electrical works at Worthing Town Hall included upgrading and installing key electrical systems across the building, from lighting to power supplies, security systems, and AV connections. The goal was to modernise the Town Hall without compromising its historic character, creating a more accessible, efficient, and secure environment for both staff and visitors.
Bradbury Electrical’s Role in the Worthing Town Hall Project
Bradbury Electrical was responsible for a broad range of electrical works, with the primary focus being on upgrading the lighting, power systems, security infrastructure, and data services. Here are the key elements of the electrical works carried out:
1. Strip Out of Existing Halogen Lighting:
Purpose: The existing halogen lighting throughout the Town Hall was outdated, energy-inefficient, and did not meet modern standards for lighting quality or sustainability.
Implementation: Bradbury Electrical carried out a complete strip-out of the halogen lighting, carefully removing the old fixtures, wiring, and control systems. The team ensured that the work was done with minimal disruption to the building’s operations, as the Town Hall remained functional during the upgrades.
2. Installation of New Lighting:
Purpose: To replace the old halogen system, a more energy-efficient, modern, and effective lighting system was needed to provide adequate illumination for the building’s various rooms, offices, and public spaces.
Implementation: Bradbury Electrical installed a complete new lighting system, including LED fixtures that offer improved energy efficiency and longevity. The lighting was designed to meet the specific needs of each area within the Town Hall, ensuring that both public spaces and offices had sufficient lighting while reducing the overall energy consumption. In areas of historical significance, the lighting was carefully chosen to complement the architectural features of the building.
3. Validation of Emergency Lighting:
Purpose: Emergency lighting is critical in any public building, ensuring that in the event of a power failure, individuals can safely exit the building. The emergency lighting system also needed to be validated for compliance with current safety regulations.
Implementation: Bradbury Electrical conducted a thorough validation of the existing emergency lighting system, inspecting all fixtures and ensuring they were functional and compliant with relevant safety standards. Where necessary, upgrades and replacements were made to ensure the system was fully operational and ready to provide emergency illumination in the event of a power outage or emergency evacuation.
4. Small Power Installations:
Purpose: Small power outlets are essential in offices and public spaces for providing electricity to computers, lighting controls, equipment, and other essential devices. These outlets needed to be relocated and upgraded to meet the modern power demands of the building’s staff and visitors.
Implementation: Bradbury Electrical upgraded and relocated various small power outlets throughout the building. This involved providing additional outlets in areas where electrical demand had increased and ensuring that all outlets were safely installed and accessible. The updated power infrastructure also ensured that the building could handle modern electrical equipment without overloading circuits.
5. Relocation of Data Cables & New Faceplates:
Purpose: With the upgrades to the electrical systems, the data infrastructure needed to be modified to ensure reliable communication and internet access throughout the building. The relocation of data cables and the installation of new faceplates were required to improve the overall connectivity of the building.
Implementation: Bradbury Electrical relocated data cables and installed new faceplates in the appropriate areas. This improved the building’s IT infrastructure, ensuring that data and communication networks were accessible and operational in key areas such as meeting rooms, offices, and communal spaces. The data cabling was carefully routed to avoid interference with other electrical systems and to ensure that the design was both functional and aesthetically appropriate for the historic building.
Purpose: Ensuring the building was accessible to all users was a key priority, and the installation of an Accessible WC Alarm system was part of the efforts to make the Town Hall fully inclusive.
Implementation: Bradbury Electrical installed an Accessible WC Alarm system in the building's accessible bathrooms. This system provides a visual and audible alarm in case of emergency, allowing individuals with mobility impairments to call for help if needed. The system was designed to be discreet, meeting all accessibility requirements without affecting the aesthetics of the building.
7. Access Control System:
Purpose: A modern access control system was needed to manage entry and exit points to secure areas of the Town Hall, ensuring that only authorized personnel had access to sensitive or restricted parts of the building.
Implementation: Bradbury Electrical installed a new access control system throughout the building. This included the installation of keycard readers, biometric scanners, and access-controlled doors. The system allowed for easy monitoring of who was entering and exiting restricted areas, while also providing a seamless experience for authorized users. The access control system was integrated with the Town Hall’s broader security framework, which included CCTV and alarm systems.
8. Panic Alarm Beacons:
Purpose: In a public building such as the Town Hall, safety is a priority, and panic alarms are essential to ensure a quick response in the event of an emergency. Panic alarm beacons were needed to alert security personnel or emergency services in case of an urgent situation.
Implementation: Bradbury Electrical installed panic alarm beacons in strategic locations throughout the Town Hall. These beacons are designed to be easily activated in case of a security breach or emergency. When triggered, they emit loud sounds and flashing lights, alerting building staff and security to respond promptly.
9. AV Connection Points:
Purpose: The Town Hall is frequently used for meetings, events, and public gatherings, which require a variety of audiovisual setups. New AV connection points were required to facilitate seamless integration of audiovisual equipment into the building’s meeting and conference rooms.
Implementation: Bradbury Electrical installed AV connection points in key rooms, allowing for the easy connection of projectors, microphones, sound systems, and other multimedia devices. These AV points were designed to be user-friendly, providing a simple plug-and-play experience for anyone needing to set up audiovisual equipment for presentations or events.
10. Complete Upgrade of Distribution Throughout the Town Hall:
Purpose: The electrical distribution system of the building needed to be completely overhauled to accommodate the modern electrical demands of the Town Hall. The existing distribution system was outdated and not capable of supporting the newer electrical infrastructure required for the building.
Implementation: Bradbury Electrical carried out a complete upgrade of the electrical distribution system, which involved replacing the old distribution boards with new, more efficient ones. This ensured that power was safely and efficiently distributed throughout the building, including the lighting, power outlets, and security systems. The team also ensured that all new wiring and circuits were installed to meet modern safety standards and comply with regulatory requirements.
Challenges Faced and Solutions Implemented
Preserving the Historical Integrity:
As a listed building, the Town Hall’s historic features had to be preserved, and all upgrades had to be carefully planned to minimize disruption to the structure. Ensuring that the electrical systems were modernized without compromising the building's aesthetics or heritage was a key challenge.
Solution: Bradbury Electrical worked closely with heritage consultants and the project team to ensure that all electrical works were completed in line with conservation guidelines. For example, the lighting was selected to enhance the historical features of the building, and cabling was discreetly routed to minimize impact on the building’s structure.
Minimizing Disruption to Daily Operations:
The Town Hall continued to be used during the upgrade process, so minimizing disruption to staff, public services, and visitors was a priority.
Solution: Bradbury Electrical worked around the Town Hall’s operating hours, performing much of the work during evenings and weekends. The team coordinated closely with the building’s management to ensure that the work did not interfere with the day-to-day functions of the Town Hall.
Meeting Safety and Regulatory Standards:
The project had to meet a variety of electrical safety and accessibility regulations, including fire safety, emergency lighting compliance, and accessibility requirements.
Solution: Bradbury Electrical ensured that all systems were designed and installed to meet the latest safety standards, including the proper certification of the emergency lighting system and the installation of accessible WC alarms. The systems were thoroughly tested and validated before the building was handed back for full use.
Outcome
The extensive electrical upgrades at Worthing Town Hall successfully modernized the building while preserving its historical character. The building is now equipped with energy-efficient lighting, updated power systems, and enhanced safety and security features, making it a safer, more accessible, and more efficient space for both staff and the public.
Key outcomes include
A fully upgraded lighting system, including LED fixtures and enhanced emergency lighting.
Modernised power infrastructure with updated consumer units
ELECTRICAL PACKAGE: £200k
Strip Out Redundant
Validation Of Emergency Lighting
Small Power
Accessible WC Alarm
Panic Alarm Beacons
AV Connection Points