EIC Ltd - News

EIC Cements Full Service Offering

2010-03-01T10:01:00.010Z

Building services provider completes first civil engineering contract

National building services provider EIC has recently completed its first major civil engineering contract. The new building fabric team delivered a 128-space car park for multi national IT solutions provider SCC in Birmingham?

Under the leadership of civil engineering expert Gordon Gibson, and project managed by new appointment John Lynch, the £140,000 scheme involved the laying of a new car park in grasscrete, and construction of a new security lodge. The team recommended the use of recycled stone aggregate as it is considered more environmentally friendly than traditional materials, yet is still hardwearing and cost-competitive. Soil and grass were also incorporated into the foundation bed to enable natural drainage and meet standards set by the local water authority.

The civil works scheme marks a departure for EIC which was originally established as a mechanical and electrical engineering contractor. Over the last year the firm has expanded its remit to provide a one-stop-shop building services solution for clients and has recruited an 11-strong contracting management team which includes civil engineers and quantity surveyors to complement its M&E specialists.

Building on core mechanical and electrical expertise, the midlands-based company can now provide a one-stop-shop building services solution for clients offering everything from design and installation to planned and reactive maintenance. Thanks to its network of nine regional offices from Scotland to Cornwall, EIC can provide a comprehensive service for both local and national firms, wherever they are located.

Ian Lyall, joint managing director of EIC, said: "The development of our building fabric team has been an integral part of the EIC evolution over the last 12 months. We have almost 40 years' experience in delivering high quality M&E contracts to a wide range of blue chip firms but wanted to offer our clients even more choice, with the same high quality level of service."

"In 2009 we decided the time was right to extend our remit and wanted to build on our expertise by bringing in the right people in order to be able to offer both building fabric and building maintenance services. The successful handover of the SCC car park not only demonstrates our capacity to deliver a contract which people might not have traditionally associated with EIC, but has also enabled us to build a relationship with a valuable new client."

Richard Seal, property director for SCC, added: "As a leading provider of IT solutions we recognised in EIC a similar ethos of taking on new challenges and surpassing expectations. We knew of EIC's reputation for quality and delivery in the building services industry and were happy to invite them to tender for this contract. Following an impressive pitch, we retained EIC to undertake these improvement works and I am pleased to say they met their commitment to deliver an innovative solution both on time and on budget."

Pipe Center teams up with EIC to exploit modular engineering

2010-01-21T15:03:00.018Z

Pipe Center's modular engineering facility and contractor EIC South West are collaborating to deliver modular engineering solutions for a number of projects in the region. The teams have designed, constructed and commenced delivery of bespoke modules from Pipe Center's 2800 m2 factory in Worcester for projects that include school, college and office buildings.

Annette Murphy, modularisation engineering at Pipe Center Modular Engineering, says, 'We are delighted to have been chosen to work with EIC on these high-profile projects. We have collaborated with its team from the outset and have developed the design for the bespoke modules using sophisticated design and product-linked manufacturing software.'

'Off-site modular engineering helps to achieve tight construction timescales and provides cost certainty. In addition, this approach reduces the health-and-safety risks associated with installation of services on site.'

Chris Trew, design-and-build co-ordinator with EIC says, 'This is the first time we've commissioned modular engineering in the region. The approach was ideal for these projects, as trying to provide a traditional installation within the building constraints would have been time consuming and problematic. Working with Pipe Center's modular team, we have built a fully co-ordinated system which can only add to EIC's innovative concepts and project approach.'

The Pipe Center Modular Engineering team (from left) Bob Hughes (general manager), Jeremy Jones (mechanical project manager), Annette Murphy (CAD engineer) and Chris Trew (design-and-build co-ordinator with EIC).

EIC Delivers on £2M Stadium Contract

2010-01-15T15:49:00.013Z

New training facility for 2014 athletes

EIC has completed work on a £2m mechanical and electrical engineering contract for a new athletics training facility in Glasgow. The newly refurbished Scotstoun Stadium was officially opened by HRH Princess Anne on January 14th 2010.

EIC's Scottish division delivered the nine-month project to main contractor Barr Construction and Glasgow Council. The Scotstoun Stadium is the redevelopment of an old athletics track adjacent to the Scotstoun leisure centre and is set to become a valuable addition to the city's sporting facilities.

Among those expected to make use of the new facility are athletes training for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Preparations for the 2014 event involve the refurbishment of a number of existing venues to give local sports men and women access to world class facilities ahead of the games.

Commissioned by Glasgow City Council, the development features grandstand seating for up to 5,000 people, grass and all weather pitches, a 400m outdoor running track, 100m indoor running track, fitness suites and cafe area. EIC delivered the heating and ventilation, internal lighting, floodlighting, CCTV and fire alarm systems and plant works for the whole site.

Ian Lyall, managing director of EIC, said the team was delighted to have secured the contract for such a high profile scheme. He said: "There is genuine pride among the team working on this contract who felt they were contributing something important for local athletes, youngsters, and the city as a whole, as this stadium will be used as a training facility in the run up to the 2014 games."

He added: "EIC has a longstanding relationship with Barr Construction in Scotland which has remained strong because of our ability to build and maintain relationships and our capacity to provide a consistently high quality of service on each and every project. This contract gives EIC the chance to show we are ahead of the game when
it comes to our expertise and we have capability to deliver a world-beating service for our clients."

Based in Warwickshire, EIC has a network of regional centres around the UK which enables it to deliver services on both a national and local level. Renowned for its mechanical and electrical installation expertise and its specialist test and maintenance division, EIC is increasingly being retained by a growing number of clients for mechanical, electrical, building fabric maintenance (MEBF).

Record installation for EIC at Tesco Workington

2010-01-01T15:13:00.016Z

EIC engineers pulled out all the stops to set a record when they completed the mechanical and electrical installation of a new Tesco store in less than a week. The supermarket giant brought in off-site specialist Yorkon to build a 13,300 sq ft store in flood-hit Workington, Cumbria, which opened to the public after just 13 days on site.

Residents living on the north side of the town faced a three hour, 40 mile detour, to visit their regular store after the deluge brought down bridges across the River Derwent. Tesco responded to calls to build a temporary store on the north side of the river to service those left without access in the weeks before Christmas. When the bridges in Workington are re-opened, the building will be removed.

Compressing a five-week mechanical and electrical installation project into just seven days required a crew of 34 electricians and 14 engineers working onsite around the clock. EIC completed the full M&E requirement for the store working alongside a variety of other trades to deliver the store ahead of the first shoppers arriving.

Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, in conjunction with Johnson Construction, completed the external shell in 24 hours to enable the mechanical and electrical first fix. The first task for EIC was to provide a temporary generator for the groundworks and subsequent construction of the building on day one, December 2nd, and power to the contractors' site cabins.

The full EIC team then arrived on site on Sunday, December 6th and were finished by Sunday 13th ready for the first customers on December 14th. The electrical crew installed the containment, fire alarm, lighting installation, small power, mains distribution and externals such as car park lighting and the gantry sign, while the mechanical experts installed the air handling unit, LPHW pipe work/boiler plant, split AC systems to the sales floor and back of house areas, sanitary ware, above ground drainage and external services.

Nigel Le Marechal, EIC joint managing director, has worked with Tesco for more than 15 years and was delighted to have been able to deliver on this critically important scheme. He said: "When the call came in we didn't hesitate to accept the challenge and immediately mobilised the Fast Track Team to ensure we could deliver a quality project within this incredibly slim time frame. Only a week earlier we had finished a similar scheme at Newton Hill, Stonehaven, so we were able to put into practice the same expertise and standards employed on that project, albeit in seven days rather than five weeks."

"This was a once in a lifetime project for the team who worked alongside the other trades through the night to make sure the job was done. By close of play on the Tuesday evening, less than 72 hours after we arrived on site, the sales floor was illuminated, this was quite a feat of achievement. Everyone involved really pulled out all the stops, working incredibly hard, and we are extremely proud of the part we played in this project."

The construction of the Workington store has been hailed as record breaking for all concerned. Daniel Frith, Tesco Development Manager, was said: "This is the first time we have ever built a store in such a short time.

"At this time of year our customers are busy enough without a three-hour journey just to get to the supermarket. Many of our own staff have been badly affected by flooding so the temporary store will help them too."

"EIC and Yorkon have been part of an outstanding construction team. This project is a really exceptional achievement in such a short space of time."

To see a video of the rapid building installation, click here.

EIC Midlands Contract Hat Trick

2009-12-04T14:47:00.016Z

Building services specialist EIC has won a hat trick of new mechanical and electrical installation projects worth in excess of £1m. The Warwickshire-based firm has secured three new contracts for its Midlands M&E team over the coming months, with clients in three different sectors.

Demonstrating the versatility of the EIC team and the diversity of the company's client base, the latest contracts cover the health, education and research sectors. The largest of the three is a £550,000 contract for Kier Moss, at the extraordinary circular Diamond Light Source facility in Oxfordshire.

The 179m-diameter machine acts as a series of super-microscopes, enabling scientists to study objects to incredible detail on a molecular and atomic level. A new external laboratory is being constructed as an extension to the existing main building and EIC is responsible for the full M&E service installation to the new lab.

The second project is a £434,000 scheme at Aston University in conjunction with main contractor O'Brien Construction which began in September and is due for completion in April 2010. EIC will undertake the first phase infrastructure upgrade works including the installation of mains cold water, fire hydrant mains, district heating, and various alterations to existing services. Coordination of the works to minimise disruption to users will be key to the success of this project.

The Midlands team is also undertaking a third contract at Nuffield Hospital in Cambridge. The three-month project, due to finish in December, will see the upgrading of heating and hot water plant in the existing hospital building. Key for EIC engineers will be to minimise the impact of the works upon the staff and patients who will occupy the building throughout.

Ian Lyall, joint managing director of EIC, said: "EIC has almost 40 years experience of the design and installation of mechanical and electrical services and in that time has built a client base which spans a range of sectors. The current market demands that firms take a broad view and spread their risk. We have been able to do that simply by building upon existing client relationships across different industries, allowing us to respond to dips in one area with a concerted push in another.

"We have also responded to the downturn by working with our customers to make the most of their spend, cutting cost where necessary, and by focusing on developing longer term relationships and maintaining the level of service they expect of us, and their clients expect from them.

"We have increased our offering to provide a more comprehensive, through-the-line service to our clients. Contractors who can work with their customers in this way are better placed to ride the economic storm."

Opportunities for reducing carbon emissions from a technical FM perspective

2009-11-24T14:45:00.006Z

Accelerating climate change and the rising cost of energy is putting sustainability at the heart of facilities contracts across the UK. Despite national and international policies aimed at driving down our carbon footprint, buildings account for over 50% of the country's carbon emissions. At the same time, BREEAM and other standards are primarily designed to regulate the performance of new rather than existing buildings - despite the fact that almost 99% of the UK's building infrastructure is already built. So what can be done to square the circle and ensure an energy-efficient but effective workplace environment that is sustainable over the long term ?

Keith Gilliver, a director of integrated building services firm EIC, believes that the future lies in intelligent facilities management - and an integrated approach to building services in order to deliver sustainable economic and environmental value.

"Clients are increasingly looking towards energy efficiency and are keen to partner with firms who combine ongoing management of existing infrastructure with the design, installation and maintenance of new and innovative technologies. At EIC, our technical expertise in FM, together with our engineering and building services expertise, gives us the breadth and depth to tailor an appropriate solution. We offer a 'through-the-line' service offering cost-savings, operational efficiencies and an in depth knowledge of the building and its integrated services that is second to none.

Some of the latest technologies on offer are, of course, capital intensive and may or may not be appropriate in terms of the life of the building in question. The good news is that there are lots of small steps a company can take in terms of its technical facilities management which will make a significant difference to its environmental performance.

Minor alterations to plant operations and equipment, together with a proactive and planned maintenance programme can make a real difference - both in terms of cost control and long-term eco-benefits. As ever, the devil is in the detail, and the poor design and installation, together with a lack of adequate maintenance of many mechanical and electrical services is often the root cause of excessive energy use. Simple steps, such as setting the correct temperature levels for heating and hot water systems, help to reduce energy consumption. In the same way, refrigeration units, fans, blowers and cold water pumps can all be adjusted to ensure optimum performance.

Air handling units are often incorrectly set, calling for the most simple of solutions, and lighting controlled wherever possible to maximise effectiveness, while minimising energy consumption and waste. These may sound like small changes, but they are at the heart of an efficient and eco-friendly facilities maintenance programme which makes a positive contribution to the reduction of a company's carbon footprint.

For those prepared to invest in long-term 'hardware' and/or technology based solutions, there are a number of different options. Here are some of the steps that EIC has provided to our clients to deliver quantifiable improvements in environmental performance:

Solar thermal: Roof-mounted panels used to pre-heat hot water services. This resulted in energy savings of approximately 5,000 kWh per year, which reduced gas consumption by 12 per cent.

Photovoltaics These roof-mounted panels were used by one of our (PV) clients to supplement the company's electricity requirements. While PV has a high capital cost, it resulted in energy savings of approximately 100,000 kWh per year and enabled the client to export excess energy to the national grid.

Rainwater The capture and storage of rainwater can provide clean harvesting water for use in toilet areas and to irrigate gardens. Once again, this solution saved one client (a school) up to 900,000 litres of water per year.

Under-floor Under-floor systems provide a more even source of heating heat and an intelligent system will use the thermal mass of the floor slab to further improve efficiency. By optimising flow and return rates, boilers can be run permanently in condensing mode, ensuring optimum energy efficiency.

Hot-water Traditional hot water systems run at 60°C to prevent system legionella. Blending valves are then installed to prevent scalding at the taps. A more eco-friendly solution might be a biocide disinfectant system using chlorine dioxide. This enables the hot water system to operate at 43°C, resulting in an energy saving of around 34 per cent.

As with all capital outlay, true value can only be extracted by optimum performance and ongoing maintenance and enhancement. We recommend that a facilities management perspective is applied earlier rather than later - ideally at the planning and design stages. An intelligent and holistic approach from the outset invariably reduces long-term running costs by delivering ongoing energy savings. It also avoids costly remedial work further down the line.

Simple tweaks such as the introduction of passive infrared lighting controls and the maximisation of natural ventilation and light sources can make a huge difference in reducing energy waste. Thereafter, ongoing and attentive management by the facilities management company dramatically reduces the costs of reactive - and even planned - maintenance. As ever, prevention is not only better, it's also cheaper - and more environmentally friendly - than cure.

Increasing UK and European legislation - including the 2008 Climate Change Act which sets tough standards for carbon emissions for the next 40 years - means that 'greenwash' will no longer be enough to satisfy those with a genuine energy-saving agenda. The question therefore is not 'what can FM companies do to help deliver these objectives', but how technically adept and creative that company can be in delivering improvements to any building's environmental performance."

Sustainable Facilities Management

2009-11-04T10:25:00.008Z

Sustainability was a bandwagon everyone seemed happy to jump on while the sun shone and hay was being made. But with the credit crunch biting hard, some contractors are beginning to argue a green conscience is something not everyone can afford. But Ian Lyall, joint managing director of FM service specialist EIC Ltd, believes the value of "green" regulations will become obvious in both the benefits to the environment and to the balance sheet in this climate of high fuel and commodity prices.

After years of paying lip service to the green revolution the time has come for contractors and customers to put their money where their mouths are. Many people talk about environmental responsibility but who is willing to put their hand in their pocket when the going gets tough? Recession demands efficiencies from everyone. Costs are scrutinised and often short-term savings are put before long-term considerations. Belt tightening may see sustainability squeezed out, but that could prove a false economy, especially when it comes to implementing the recent raft of environmental legislation, including the 2008 Climate Change Act which sets tough standards for carbon emissions for the next 40 years.

So what price green? At first glance incorporating environmentally-friendly materials and technology can seem an unnecessary expense when putting together a competitive tender. Indeed if other contractors are conveniently forgetting their environmental obligations, it can be tempting to follow suit. But customers are not necessarily impressed by a lower quote if it means abandoning their own green agenda. Most public bodies are demanding a basic level of environmental awareness before even allowing contractors onto their tender lists and enthusiasm for sustainability could help open the door to those markets.

The value of a positive 'green' profile when it comes to corporate social responsibility (CSR) cannot be underestimated. As a potential marketing tool, CSR is likely to become an important differentiator during the credit crunch, for both contractors and clients, as companies seek to reinforce positive brand values. Lip service, or 'Greenwash' as it has been dubbed, may no longer be enough to satisfy those with a genuine energy saving agenda. Real determination to help clients reduce their carbon footprint has to be demonstrated by the contractor.

FM specialists can be at the forefront and are playing their part through clever planning and design. Clients who bring in the experts at the beginning of their project can reduce their long term running costs through energy savings and avoid mistakes by ensuring the right design is in place from the start. Simple tweaks at the planning stage can make a huge difference in reducing energy waste and improving water conservation. This in turn will dramatically bring down the costs of reactive, and even planned, maintenance requirements.

The industry has come up with several methods for measuring green credentials, in order to encourage the delivery of ever-more stringent energy saving requirements. The most widely used yardstick is BREEAM- the Building Research Establishment Energy Assessment Method- which rates new build and refurbishment sites according to a series of criteria.
A BREEAM excellent contract might demand a 5 to 10 per cent cost premium but, as long-term savings start to outweigh the capital expenditure, sustainability will become ever more palatable.

Residential wind turbines and solar panels have never really taken off because homeowners are yet to be convinced that they will get their money's worth within the lifespan of the technology. But a recent RICS survey found the increasing cost of energy, 30 per cent in 2008 alone, has slashed the payback time of solar panels from 205 years to 60-100 years. This might still be far longer than the average 30 year lifespan of the panel, with its associated maintenance costs, but with improvements in technology and the prediction that energy prices will only continue to rise over the long term, sustainable and efficient energy sources are looking more and more favourable.

Businesses are keen to realise value for their investments and are cautious about laying out vast sums of capital funding without a cast-iron guarantee of future savings. Hard figures are not easy to come by, with commercial environmental ratings less than a year old. Looking to the future, however, components are set to come down in price as demand increases and, almost everyone agrees, fuel prices are only going up so the ability to reduce energy usage will become more and more important.

As landmark developments like the BREEAM excellent Calthorpe House in Edgbaston prove, quality and sustainability can go hand in hand. Putting aside the cost implications, the environmental benefits of incorporating sustainability into projects are clear. But considering the cost advantage to the client, compliance with green regulations can also provide an economic advantage and as an industry, FM contractors can be the low energy light that leads the way.

EIC goes back to school with £3.6M contract win

2009-09-23T10:31:00.008+01:00

EIC has won a £3.6m mechanical and electrical installation contract for the City of London Academy. This flagship project, which is co-sponsored by the City of LondonCorporation and City University, is being undertaken in conjunction with main contractor, Galliford Try.

The 11-month mechanical and electrical installation programme is set for completion in April 2010 and forms the second phase of a wider scheme. EIC is responsible for the full mechanical and electrical installation requirements of the project, including fire alarm systems, heating and ventilation solutions, gas supply to kitchens and science labs and provision for wiring for six state-of-the-art ICT suites. The innovative use of off-site manufacture and modularisation methods, including the installation of pre-fabricated and pre-insulated pipe work, has been designed to save both time and money, reducing the amount of space and number of people required on site.

The City of London Academy Islington took over from the existing Islington Green School in September 2008, replacing the original 1960s school buildings with a brand new purpose-built 8000 sq m, three-storey Academy designed to improve the learning experience and environment. The work, which is carried out on behalf of The Trustees of the Academy and co-funded by the Department for Children Schools and Families, is due to be finished by October 2011.

Ian Lyall, joint managing director for EIC, said the win was another boost to the company´s already strong education sector credentials. He said: "This is a fantastic scheme which is intended to bring huge benefits to the students and staff of The City of London Academy, providing them with an Academy which is both fit-for-purpose and an inspirational learning environment.

"Our team is able to bring to this project the experience gained over many years working in the education sector. I am also delighted that this contract means we can continue to build upon our successful working relationship with Galliford Try with whom we have undertaken projects many times in the past. It is our ability to deliver on our promises and to exceed our client´s expectations which sees us continuing to secure work with such successful and high profile contractors."

The new Academy building is situated close to the existing 1960s tower block and original Edwardian school buildings which will remain occupied throughout construction. Fitted with features to enable the use of sustainable mechanical and electrical solutions, EIC engineers will supply cable feeds to the roof to enable photovoltaic panels to be installed and will also provide the appropriate mechanism for a ground source heat pump.

Mr Lyall said: "Integral to the mechanical and electrical installation is the concept of sustainability and within this design are several elements which fulfil that requirement. This has become more important in recent years as people consider the effects of both their own carbon footprint and the high cost of fuel, now and in the future. The standards which are being set with public sector programmes such as Academy projects are also filtering through into the private sector. Working in both fields, we at EIC are able to bring our expertise to the table and share best practice on sustainable solutions when it comes to the design, installation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical systems."

Mike Rozier, Senior Project Manager for Galliford Try, added: "EIC worked well with us throughout the tender process, offering sound value engineering and buildability ideas. We are pleased that this positive relationship and experience has carried over into the installation phase and look forward to the timely commissioning and handover of the new Academy building."

Other high profile education projects completed by EIC include Uxbridge High School, Crossways Academy, Alexander Park School, Watergate School, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, North East Worcester College, Mayville School Leytonstone, West Wycombe School, Oxford University´s Medical Sciences Teaching Centre and Le Rondin in Guernsey.

EIC Triple Offer At Tesco

2009-09-05T11:01:00.005+01:00

Mechanical and electrical engineering specialist EIC Ltd has completed work on the final part of a three project contract for retail giant Tesco. EIC secured the £1.9m contract to provide the full electrical and mechanical design and fit out for the new concept Tesco Home Plus stores.

The stores at Cribbs Causeway Retail Park in Bristol and New Craighall in Edinburgh and Bracknell in Berkshire, are all now open and trading.

The fast-track projects include the installation of lighting, small power, fire alarms, heating and ventilation systems in each of the 50,000 sq ft stores. Services have been designed to provide a cost-efficient scheme which delivers an uncluttered, high quality finish.

Ian Lyall, joint managing director of EIC, said: "We have developed a strong working relationship with Tesco over the years. The expert and highly-specialised service we provide has led to this new partnership which saw us brought on board as part of the Homes Plus development team."

"Our aim is to maintain high standards going forward and deliver work which demonstrates our vast experience and good working knowledge of the retail sector in support of the new Tesco Home Plus concept."

Tesco Home Plus is a non-food store offering homewares, white goods and electrical items. Customers can browse the displays or order from a catalogue via specially installed podiums, with numbers flashed up on screens installed throughout the store.

The EIC contract involves the containment of wires, busbars and pipework is achieved through the installation of ceiling trays in a grid formation, to maintain a uniform layout and keep the runs of services to a minimum. Appropriate metering for energy monitoring, is being used.

High quality continuous dimmable luminaires, which are set to dim outside trading hours and off when the last person has left the store, have been installed. The sales floor lighting is divided into separate zones to allow different levels to suit merchandising.

EIC switch-on at Uxbridge High School

2009-08-13T10:43:00.005+01:00

Leading mechanical, electrical and FM contractor EIC has completed a £1.2m installation project on the new build sixth form centre at Uxbridge High School. Main contractor Leadbitter Group and architect ADP have now formally handed over The Lancaster Building to staff and students at the West London school.

The rebuild and refurbishment project was designed to upgrade facilities and provide local youngsters with a 21st century learning environment, with a sustainable edge, as part of the Government´s Building Schools for the Future programme. EIC, which has a strong record in the education sector, undertook a range of M&E works as part of a 25-week programme which finished in July.

The electrical installation involved exterior CCTV cameras, lighting controls and an intruder alarm system, all contributing to student and staff safety. Learning enhancements include integrated projectors with desktop control panels for teachers in each classroom. Under-floor heating has been installed in some areas while others are serviced with perimeter heating and ventilation, all controlled via an integrated building management system, along with lights activated by sensors which will switch off when the room is empty, and a climate-controlled reception area.

The design called for a series of sustainable technologies, measures which are becoming ever more important across the education sector. EIC engineers were responsible for delivering the designer´s vision which included the installation of photovoltaic solar panels and a 6kw wind turbine on the roof, both of which feed into the schools power supply.

The team also installed guttering, plumbing and tanks to enable the collection of rainwater, so called grey water harvesting. The water is collected in ground level tanks before being pumped to the roof and distributed around the building´s bathrooms and used to flush toilets.

Alongside this energy creation technology, the building also employs energy saving measures including passive infra red (PIR) sensors which detect the lux levels of external light sources and adjust the internal illumination to compensate, or even switch off lights when the room is empty.

In addition, a state-of-the-art heating and passive cooling system designed to reduce energy use has been installed in each of the eight new classrooms. A temperature and CO2 sensor enables simple management of heating and ventilation to cool rooms in the summer and circulate fresh air during the winter.

All these features have been left visible to provide students with a valuable learning experience in terms of their own carbon footprint. The school is also able to sell surplus electricity - collected at night during school holidays - back to the national grid.

Ian Lyall, joint managing director of EIC, said: "This has been a very exciting project for all involved and the result is an incredible building packed with clever features and sustainable solutions, creating a wonderful teaching and learning environment for the staff and students to enjoy."

"Once again the team has been able to demonstrate the depth of expertise in mechanical and electrical design and installation and, as ever, the experience gained here will be taken forward and benefit future clients both in the public and private sector."

Headquartered in Alcester, Warwickshire, EIC has regional offices across the UK. The company has completed a number of high profile education projects including Stockwell Park High School in Lambeth; Erith School in Kent; Orchard and Uplands Primary School in Bexley; City of London Academy; Crossways Academy; Alexander Park School; Watergate School; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; North East Worcester College; Mayville School Leytonstone; West Wycombe School; Oxford University´s Medical Sciences Teaching Centre and Le Rondin in Guernsey.