Project Overview

A prestigious Grade II listed commercial property, valued at £25 million, located along London’s Embankment faced recurring flood issues due to its proximity to the River Thames. The property’s plant room, essential to building operations, was repeatedly inundated with water during heavy rain events, with flood levels reaching up to 3 meters. This not only resulted in costly remediation but also posed significant risks to business continuity.

Due to the building’s historical status, strict access limitations, and a challenging environment for installing modern systems, the property required a tailored, minimally invasive solution. Aylesford Electrical worked with its sister companies in The Metcor Group — Metcor Environmental and Anglo Pumps — to provide a comprehensive, end-to-end flood mitigation solution. The collaboration allowed the client to access a cohesive set of services covering all aspects of electrical systems, drainage and pumping.

Key Challenges

Historical Constraints: The Grade II listed status of the building meant that modifications, such as drilling into plant room walls, were strictly prohibited. This required non-intrusive solutions and expert installation practices.
Restricted Access: Narrow corridors, staircases, and limited plant room access made the extraction of outdated equipment and the installation of new components particularly challenging.
Noise Restrictions: Located in a highly regulated area within the City of London, the project was subject to strict noise control ordinances. Noisy work was restricted to Saturdays from 6 am to 2:30 pm, which demanded precise scheduling and efficient teamwork to complete tasks within these constraints.

Solution

Aylesford Electrical’s Role: Installation of Control Panel and Electrical Systems

As the specialist electrical division of the Metcor Group, Aylesford Electrical took charge of installing advanced electrical control systems that would reliably operate the new flood management equipment. Their contributions included:

Installation of New Electrical Supplies and Control Panel: the control panel was designed to provide precise control over the pump operations in response to water level sensors. Aylesford’s experienced team of NICEIC-certified electricians planned and installed this control system, ensuring seamless integration with the building’s existing infrastructure.
Power Distribution and Sensor Integration: Aylesford installed a new distribution board and additional power supplies to support both existing systems and the newly installed flood mitigation equipment. The team worked with advanced sensors to ensure that the control panel would respond quickly and effectively, triggering the pumps at the first sign of flooding.
Non-Invasive Installation Techniques: To preserve the historic fabric of the building, the electrical installations were carried out without drilling into the walls. Aylesford’s team used creative methods to mount and route wiring without affecting the plant room structure, ensuring compliance with conservation requirements.

Collaborative Efforts with Metcor Environmental and Anglo Pumps

Working closely with Metcor Environmental and Anglo Pumps, Aylesford Electrical contributed to a fully integrated, end-to-end flood protection system:

Drainage and Pump Installation: Metcor Environmental conducted detailed assessments of the building’s drainage needs and implemented a drainage system designed to handle surges from the river. Anglo Pumps provided a powerful pump solution capable of quickly removing large volumes of water, even during extreme flooding events. The pumps were specifically chosen to accommodate the narrow entryways, allowing installation without disrupting the building’s historical structure.
Combined System Testing and Optimization: Once installed, the entire system was tested by Aylesford, Metcor, and Anglo Pumps to verify that all components—sensors, pumps, and control panels—worked in harmony. This testing phase included simulations of flood scenarios to ensure a rapid and effective response during an actual event.

Key Outcomes

Comprehensive Flood Mitigation: The building now benefits from an advanced, automated flood protection system. Aylesford Electrical’s control panel and sensor integration allow for rapid, precise activation of pumps, which are critical for keeping the plant room dry during severe weather.
Non-Invasive and Historically Sensitive Installation: Aylesford’s innovative, non-intrusive installation techniques ensured the building’s historical integrity was maintained, addressing the client’s concerns and meeting all listed building requirements.
Efficient, Coordinated Project Execution: Despite noise and access restrictions, the coordinated efforts of Aylesford Electrical, Metcor Environmental, and Anglo Pumps allowed for on-schedule completion with minimal disruption to building operations.
Reduced Risk and Long-Term Savings: This solution significantly reduces the client’s flood-related risks, safeguarding critical infrastructure and minimizing the likelihood of costly flood damage and downtime.

Conclusion

The Metcor Group’s ability to deliver a seamless, multi-disciplinary flood mitigation solution highlights the value of our integrated services. By combining drainage, pump, and electrical expertise, we provided a fully customized, historically sensitive flood mitigation system that delivers long-term protection for this iconic property. Aylesford Electrical’s high-quality electrical installations and thoughtful project management were instrumental in achieving this result, reaffirming our commitment to providing sustainable, safe, and compliant solutions for even the most complex environments.

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Aylesford Electrical Contractors

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