The education element of the F E Block comprises 7No.Classrooms, Group Study areas, IT Centre, Life Skill facilities, Resource/Library Centre, specialist Sensory/Physical facilities – administration and staff areas, etc. The respite element of the building comprises 8No. Bedsits, Catering facilities, Communal Rooms, Assisted Bathrooms, Shower/Changing Rooms and W C facilities, etc.

Of key importance at the concept / design stage, was the need to ensure that the building should create a domestic environment, one in which the children can “feel at home” and not be estranged. In this respect, the mechanical and electrical installations have been integrated as sympathetically as possible whilst providing additional facilities such as hearing induction loops, aids for the visually impaired and maintaining the need for user protection in terms of “safe working surface temperatures”, etc.

Extent of Mechanical Services:

• Incoming utilities – gas and water
• LPHW Heating – Central gas fired condensing boiler plant serving low surface temperature radiators
• Domestic H&C water services – including electrosilver ionisation units facilitating the storage of hot water at a “safe” temperature of 45oC whilst eliminating the potential of legionellae
• Mechanical ventilation
• Building Energy Management System which enables remote monitoring of room temperatures, plant operation, maintenance requirements, energy consumption, etc

Extent of Electrical Services:

• Incoming utilities – electrical power / site transformer
• General lighting and emergency lighting
• Electrical small power
• Door entry, CCTV and security systems
• Lightning protection
• Landscape lighting