Atradius N.V Cardiff

We secured a project to upgrade the central data centre facility for Atradius N.V in the newly rejuvenated Cardiff Bay . This centre handles all worldwide transactions for Atradius N.V and as such is an essential lifeline to their insurance business .

The building consists of the following:

1) Atradius head office – Open plan office accommodation – No change

2) Data Centre 1 - 102m2 Data Centre with dedicated UPS and cooling units

3) Data Centre 2 - 75m2 Data Centre with dedicated UPS and cooling units

4) Merdian room – telephone exchange with UPS power served from DC1 and dedicated cooling units

5) Print room – print room

6) IT risers on floors ground, first, second and third – supply with power from DC1 and dedicated cooling units

DC1 and DC2 operated as Data Centres, the Meridian room as a telephone exchange and the risers as Comms closets serving the office floors structured cabling. All these rooms contain essential IT equipment that must be maintained and operated around in a ‘LIVE’ condition. During the works, MJNC Colston ensured that power and cooling was not lost to these spaces by using method statements, suitable equipment and protecting IT equipment where necessary. 24/7 access for IT maintenance personnel was kept to all equipment to facilitate the replacement of storage tapes and essential maintenance.

All operations, shutdowns installations etc to mechanical and electrical plant were fully risk assessed and coordinated with Atradius to minimise disruption to the building. Meetings take place on a daily basis with the Client to assess the impact of every operation on their working facility

The project works included:

1) Modification of existing switchgear to provide new supplies to new essential LV panel.

2) Modification of existing switchgear to provide changeover facilities to the office accommodation.

3) Installation of new essential LV panel in loading bay.

4) Installation of new N+1 static UPS units with batteries.

5) Installation of new acoustically treated standby generator.

6) Installation of new UPS LV panel.

7) Combining of DC1 with the Meridian room.

8) Conversion of the Print room to a Data Centre.

9) Installation of new PDUs and small power with the Data Centres and risers.

10) Installation of two PDUs in the Ops Bridge.

11) Upgrade of fire and security systems within the Data Centres and risers.

12) Installation of new cooling systems to the Data Centres.

13) All associated construction work , building modifications etc

Project Team

  • Client - Atradius N.V
  • Principal / M&E Contractor - MJN Colston Ltd
  • Architect- Angus Meek
  • Services Engineers - Hoare Lea & Partners
  • Quantity Surveyors - APS Management
  • Project Value - £1.7m