There are a number of factors that organisations have to weigh up when they are looking at key mechanical installations and how to go about them; these could be how integral to the company’s operation the installation is, what the budget is, or possible environmental implications. Whatever those factors are they should not detract from the importance of getting a mechanical installation right, and from using professional services who can access the latest technology and expertise to offer you a ‘total’ install from the initial proposal, through design, installation and ‘after-sales’ lifecycle management.
Most commercial and industrial properties have mechanical installations that are fundamental to their ongoing integrity and safe use, and at Robinsons we look after all of these:
- Plumbing and commercial heating
- Commercial boiler installations, repairs and maintenance
- Ventilation systems and air conditioning unit servicing and repair
- Building Management Systems
There are mechanical installation projects that could involve more than one or even all of these areas, but there are a number of common factors which combine to highlight the implications of doing a mechanical installation badly. It is therefore imperative that professional services are sought who can deal with the before, during and after of mechanical installations, which essentially involves the following:
Safety
A trusted and professional service will provide a team of engineers armed with appropriate risk assessments and method statements, and well-versed in safe working practices. They will have the correct and certified equipment and drawings and will ensure your organisation is a safe environment during any install. Furthermore, mechanical installations are so rigidly governed by legislation and regulations that only by using professional services do you know you are covered as an organisation against liability for using un-qualified personnel. A professional outfit will have engineers with HETAS, Gas Safe and OFTEC accreditations, who are fully registered for their appropriate trades and who have undertaken adequate training.
Cost
However you source your materials or equipment for a mechanical installation, it is sure to be expensive, and high value projects have commensurate cost implications. Costly equipment and materials require a certain level of understanding, they could be fragile and intricate and therefore to preserve their mechanical integrity and avoid damage requires expert handling.
Time
Often we need to undertake mechanical installations quickly for safety reasons, but time can also equal cost. Downtime and lost output can be a major cost to a business and so to minimise disruption it is important the install is done right. Experience and knowledge can therefore ensure a smooth and timely installation. After all, we have all got in a mess attempting a DIY job instead of calling on a professional, and with hindsight, if we balanced the cost of paying for the job against the stress, time and eventual cost of doing it ourselves, there is only one decision. Furthermore, a professional mechanical installation team will be able to tell you accurately how long a job will take and therefore, you can programme your everyday operations around it with confidence.
Operation and Maintenance
Quite simply, if a job is done well from design to installation first time you can be more confident of its ongoing operation, and future maintenance will be reduced. There will be no cutting corners with professional installations which will lead to minimal breakdowns, downtime and expensive repairs going forward.