The Fragrance Shop HQ - Trafford Park

Metro 190 (now named the Fragrance Quarters) is a new build 190,000 square foot distribution hub located in the centre of Trafford Park

This is the third project for TFS over a fifteen year timespan. Our services to TFS range from Project Management of client direct suppliers, coordination of design - working with other designers and construction services for the fitout.

The development is targeting carbon net zero construction and includes energy saving features such as roof-mounted solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and air-source heating and cooling.

Active Fire Protection

The sprinkler works within this project involve detailed design, supply and installation, testing and commissioning of new sprinkler protection to the warehouse, racking, mezzanine and offices.

One of the main challenges with sprinkler works was the integration with the racking installation which demanded a high degree of co-ordination.

Stored goods fall into differing risk classifications and detailed knowledge gathering was important to ensure sprinkler protection was appropriate to the goods they protect. Differing densities of discharge per minute were applicable. Aerosols are particularly hazardous.

Civils works associated with the installation have included pumphouse, base, tank bases, trenches, framework for manifold support.

Consideration was also given to ambient temperatures within the warehouse during winter months and the susceptibility of sprinkler pipework freezing and the catastrophic results which may follow. Interfaces with space heating resolves the risk of freezing. Alternative certain areas will have trace heating to protect more vulnerable pipework externally.

Racking

Metro 190 has over 19,000 pallet spaces formed from high bay racking.

Care was required to VNA pallet trucks operate safely and at their optimum. An early understanding of concrete slab tolerances was important and a profilograph survey identified the flatness/levelness of the base build slab and identify if further grinding or preparation was required before the racking was installed.

The point loads generated by high bay racking can be considerable and our design development into stage 4 carefully considered the base build slab design in all respects. Adjustments to the racking design mitigated excessive point load.

Additional features such as predrilled sprinkler support brackets all lend a hand in speeding up the installation.

Pre Construction Service Agreement

A JCT Pre Construction Service Agreement (PCSA) formed the framework for early Client - Contractor engagement. 

Amspec committed to a fixed schedule of fees to allow the project to quickly gather traction.

This type of agreement allowed the Client and Contractor to define and develop the initial brief collaboratively. Client and Contractor followed the RIBA Plan of Work Stages (2 - 6) to ensure best practice.

Amspec developed the Specification with costs examined and defined to arrive at a Project Cost Plan much earlier than traditional tendering routes.

The Client later committed to a JCT Design and Build Contract for the full delivery of the project, with the PCSA sitting within the final Building Contract.

The final account deviated from the original budget by less than 2%.