The ExCeL Exhibition Centre in East London has undergone a major transformation from a world leading events venue into the NHS Nightingale hospital to help towards the fight of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Best known for its events such as Grand Designs and Britain’s Got Talent the venue has undergone its biggest change in its history.
As the incumbent Fire Safety Company of the ExCeL Centre for the last 10 years, we were asked to install additional fire alarm components to the existing system to cover the new 4000 bed project together with extinguishers and stands to cover the newly formed wards.
The installation needed to be seamlessly integrated into the existing system and configuration updated to accommodate the requirements of the NHS and a completely different type of venue. This was an immense challenge with tight deadlines and a large installation programme.
We had a team meeting where we discussed the project and planned how we would make it happen. Our director Rob Beeching led from the front as project manager and with his team of what can only be described as super stars set about the task to carry out these important and urgent works.
From the start the team stood up to the plate and produced an unbelievable effort to ensure works were completed on time.
Rob Beeching – Project Manager and Director
“The effort and dedication the whole team put in was very humbling.
The whole team pulled together and delivered under very difficult conditions. I am so proud of the whole team, they all gave 110% dedication to the project, I cannot thank them enough for their commitment and hard work.”
“A special thank you to go to all of our suppliers Notifier, Edmundson’s, KGM and Jactone who were unbelievable from start to finish, we had suppliers hand delivering parts, fast tracking orders and making themselves available 24/7 during the project, nothing was too much”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the NHS and all the Key Workers who are doing an amazing job up and down the country”.
“Lastly I would like to thank the Fire Industry Association and the SSAIB for their support”.
Although this project has been hard work both mentally and physically the end result was a very rewarding one. Having already seen the great work the NHS has been doing up and down the country to be able to work alongside them to deliver this project was an honour.
We witnessed a truly unbelievable effort by all, everyone pulled together from the NHS, Army and Private Industry to ensure the Hospital was completed in time it was truly amazing to see a venue transform into a Hospital so quickly.
The Hospital
The NHS Nightingale London first opened its doors on the 3rd April 2020 after being officially opened by the His Royal Highness Prince Charles via video link from Birkhall Scotland.
“I need hardly say that the name of the hospital could not have been more aptly chosen. Florence Nightingale, The lady with the Lamp, Brought hope and healing to thousands in their darkest hour. In this dark time, this place will be a shining light”. HRH Prince Charles
The Nightingale Hospitals are part of a countrywide initiative to help towards the care of patients during the Covid 19 Pandemic.
Paul Bennett, Director at PLP Fire Protection
