Case Study The Bedford Academy

Bedfordshire, UK

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Gripple Ltd. The Old West Gun Works, Savile Street East, Sheffield, S4 7UQ, England.

Tel +44 114 275 2255 : Fax +44 114 275 1155 : Email: info@gripple.com www.gripple.com

Project information

Project name/ location The Bedford Academy, Bedfordshire

Project Team M&E Contractor: Kershaw Mechanical Services

Date April 2013

Building type Education

Services Mechanical & Electrical & HVAC

Products Trapeze No.2, Trapeze No.3, Duct Trapeze,

Universal Pipe Clamp, Standard hanger No.2

Project Outline

This £22 million, 12,634sq.m2 site will open in April 2013. Sponsored by the Bedford Charity

(The Harpur Trust) and Bedford College, the Academy will be built on the site of the old John

Bunyan Upper School site. The project aims to achieve BREEAM excellent rating whilst also

completing all work around a fully operational school.

Willmott Dixon as the main contractor had previously worked with Kershaw on the All

Saints Academy , Dunstable where Gripple products were used. Following the success of

the initial installation at Dunstable, it was decided that Gripple should be used to suspend

all M&E services at the Bedford Academy. The decision to use them on this site allowed

the contractors to complete the M&E installs quickly and efficiently.

Trapeze No.2

Gripple Universal Clamp

DUCTING

The rectangular ductwork was suspended using the

Gripple Duct Trapeze, purpose made for supporting

rectangular ductwork. It simply screws into the

ductwork without the need for any channel support. It

is also independently tested and conforms to DW/144

CLASS C.

For the spiral ductwork, Gripple Standard hangers

with a the following end fixings were used: M8 Stud

into concrete slab on the ground floor; 90 degree

eyelets on the first & second floor – tec-screwed into

the decking. Gripple hangers can be used at angles,

adding to the ease and speed of installation.

ADVANTAGES

Time – installation is at least 4 times

faster than traditional methods

Health & Safety - No cutting or hot

works permits needed

Storage – Less storage space

required compared to threaded rod

Aesthetics – neater and cleaner

Cable Containment

When the project began the Trapeze No.3 was used to suspend the containment basket, allowing

for fast installation and rapid adjustment. The Trapeze No.2 was launched during the project with

the additional benefits of: a tapered design to accommodates all slots sizes; a discreet fit

completely inside the channel. The Trapeze No. 2 can be pre-fitted onto channel and as with the

Trapeze No.3 is effortlessly adjusted to ease working at height.

Trapeze No.3 Trapeze No.2

Pipe Work

By using the Gripple Universal Clamp the speed of install was dramatically increased as the clamp

is adjustable for different pipe sizes. Traditionally different clamps would need to be used for each

pipe size but the Gripple Universal Clamp was able to fit the variety of pipe sizes used.

Setting-out brackets was quicker and easier along with installing the pipes. Brackets with Trapeze

No. 2 were used to suspend the clamps at a variety of heights. The Gripple Universal Pipe Clamp

was even used to fix piping at floor level.

ADVANTAGES

Universal – for pipe sizes 3/8” o 2 ½ “

Speed – 6 times faster than traditional

methods

Health & Safety – No tools required,

reduced time working at height

Storage – Small and compact packaging for

on-site storage

“ Gripples are clean and quick. The pipe clamp is idiot proof - one size fits all. Using Gripple products cut

down on waste, install times and reduce the CO2 for the site build.” Steve Palmer, Site Manager – Kershaw

“The Gripples are quick, light, easy to install, no issues at all. The Trapeze No.2 is even better than the Trapeze

No.3 which we were happy to use at the beginning of the project”. Paul Joyce, Engineer – Kershaw

“We have found Gripple to be quick and easy to assemble all manner of M&E services, It has proven to be

strong, reliable, versatile and aesthetically pleasing”. James Whitehouse, Site Manager – Willmott Dixon

“Using Gripple helped me to meet a challenging timeframe on this academy. Our installation teams saved

significant amounts of time when installing pipework and ductwork. There was also a lot less wastage when

using the Gripple Universal Pipe Clamps. The better aesthetics and carbon reductions when using Gripple are

other worthwhile benefits. I look forward to using Gripple on my next project and in particular the new Pipe

Bracket”. Mahul Patel, Contracts Manager - Kershaw

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Visit www.gripple.com

for more information

Gripple Ltd. The Old West Gun Works, Savile Street East, Sheffield, S4 7UQ, England.

Tel +44 114 275 2255 : Fax +44 114 275 1155 : Email: info@gripple.com www.gripple.com