Commtech completes commissioning at Pfizer's new HQ

Commissioning management specialist Commtech has completed a two-phase project at Pfizer's UK commercial headquarters at Walton Oaks in Surrey. Commtech was contracted to carry out commissioning and commissioning management working with main contractor Laing and M&E contractor Shepherd Engineering Services (SES).

The £75m Walton Oaks site was officially opened in October 2002 and won a design award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The complex is set in heart of a 320-acre estate in the Surrey countryside, and is in the shape of a central 'street' with five fingers radiating out from it. The 'street' houses a gym, restaurant and shop as well as meeting spaces and conference rooms. Each of the fingers accommodates open plan office space with views onto the surrounding countryside.

Phase 1 of the project covered the commissioning of mechanical and electrical services and controls in three of the fingers, with the remaining two fingers being completed during Phase 2. Commtech commissioning manager Bill Whillock was based on site for over two years, working directly for Laing. "As the Phase 1 fingers were occupied by the time we commissioned Phase 2 the work had to be tightly co-ordinated with our commissioning team working for SES and we had to ensure minimum disruption to the building's occupants," he explained. Pfizer...cont

"The same considerations applied to the re-commissioning of Phase 1 that resulted from the Phase 2 systems going on line," he added.

Commtech also has a direct contract with Pfizer at the company's European Headquarters for Research & Development in Sandwich, Kent. Here, the company is responsible for ensuring that clean room conditions are maintained through complex air pressure regimes. Two Commtech staff have been located on site since September 2002.

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