Torquay Community College

Torquay Community College is one of the “pathfinder” projects and is leading the way for other authorities across the country in the “Building Schools for the Future” programme.

As a Pathfinder School, it will be at the leading edge of education both in Torbay and at a national level. The major aspect of the vision is that the re-built college is placed at the centre of an exciting reform of learning for the 14-19 age group across Torbay. The new college will have a Centre of Vocational Excellence and the intention is that the school should be a specialist Technology College. TCC will become a centre of academic and vocational excellence offering a wider range of courses to its own students and students from other schools

The development of the services for the new community campus has been influenced by a “Sustainable Building Services Strategy”, with this in mind the school is aiming to achieve a “BREEAM” assessment of “very good”.

MJN Colston will be responsible for mechanical, electrical and public health services installation which consisted of the following:

A natural gas installation to boilers, kitchens and HWS heaters incorporating solar heating. Mains and booster cold water distribution. LTHW heating incorporating radiant panels fed via manifolds and insulated pipework. Ventilation utilizing AHU and local extract systems hidden behind the building facade. Sanitaryware and above ground drainage is accompanied by a rain water harvesting system. Refrigerant DX cooling systems to the hub/server room. BMS system to monitor and control the building services systems throughout the building. Site wide Sprinkler building protection system with external tank and booster set.

LV distribution, lighting and small power installations coordinating with the biometric pupil control system. Fire alarm system commissioned to evacuate the building in a specifically controlled manner. Extensive IP CCTV system for the security and protection of the pupils. Structured Cat 6 cabling installation for voice and data systems. Digital sound and TV signal distribution throughout with induction loops for the hearing impaired.

Project Team

  • Client - Torbay Bourough Council
  • Main Contractor - Interserve Project Services
  • Architect - Kensington Taylor
  • Services Engineers - Scott Wilson
  • Quantity Surveyors - Davis Langdon
  • Services Value - £4.5m