Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities at Croydon College

The brief for the project was to update the campus facilities in preparation for the introduction of a new student learning module on hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) repair and maintenance. The specialised technical training is designed to meet growing demand for this green technology skill set in this fast-growing industry. EV charging points would also be made available for use by staff in the college car park.

The works included:

• Refurbishment and redecoration of a disused workshop. Installation of new LED lighting, new electrical testing bays, and single/3-phase EV chargers to be used by students for installation and testing purposes.

• Refurbishment and redecoration of the motor vehicle workshop. Installation of new non-corrosive IP-rated LED lighting and EV charger installations to be used by students for testing purposes. Floor painting, including safety demarcation markers around newly installed vehicle ramps.

• Refurbishment and redecoration of the lower ground car park area including latexing of external flooring and painting EV demarcation markers. Installation of single phase, dual gun EV chargers, cable holders and signage.

• Corridor refurbishment and decoration. Installation of new LED lighting.

This design and build project required us to work to an extremely tight deadline with an overall programme duration of only five weeks as the client needed it completed by financial year-end. To add to the time constraints, only limited technical information was available about the practical implications of introducing this type of course into a college environment.

As teaching would be continuing throughout the project, we worked closely with the client to develop a ‘zero accidents’ methodology and minimise disruption to college operations. Central to this approach was the identification within our Risk Assessment Method Statement of defined times of the day when tools, materials and waste could be taken in and out of the secure work areas.

To tackle the lack of technical information, Ash Technical Services worked closely with the project consultant (Robert Grey of RG Specialist Solutions) to assess the curriculum specification required to deliver the City & Guilds Level 3 Award in the Design and Installation of Domestic and Small Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Installations. This enabled us to develop a detailed scope of work and fit-out specification appropriate for the project.

We identified robust communication channels before the commencement of work to ensure we could provide weekly progress updates to both the college and the consultant. And also have a ready mechanism to hand for dealing with any unforeseen challenges that might emerge during the project.

We successfully delivered all elements of the project from the initial planning and scope preparation through to the finished spaces. The client was delighted with the end result on what was their first EV charging project.

The project has delivered a range of benefits, including:

• Provision of new EV facilities that will provide a safe, functional, and attractive learning space and enhance Croydon College’s educational offer to the local community.

• Injection of a splash of life into the concrete car park with the bright green EV bays. These will be used to showcase the beneficial use of electric vehicles to both staff and visitors. And will also play a key part in boosting the college’s kerb appeal.

• Helping the client meet their business objectives through teamwork and collaboration with the college’s estates team and consultant. Providing them with additional installation options and cost-saving proposals to underpin delivery of their goals.

• Confidence for the client that a difficult, potentially challenging benchmark project, which initially lacked clarity, was in fact deliverable.