Construction World December 2023

PROJECT INFORMATION

• Company entering: Civils 2000 • Client: Department of Public Works • Main Contractor: MWC Global • Project Manager: Delta Built Environment Consultants • Architect: Delta Built Environment Consultants • Consulting Engineers: Delta Built Environment Consultants

SALDANHA MILITARY BASE DOD & MILITARY VETERANS: CONSTRUCTION OF SICKBAY FACILITY

This project involved Civils 2000, as subcontractor to MWC Global, building a 40-room 1 255 m 2 sickbay clinic – including operating rooms, dental surgeries, physio facility, consulting rooms and emergency resuscitation section, guardhouse, pump station, helipad, civil services, and paved roads and parking areas for at the Saldanha Military Base. The civil works and building design, including architectural, mechanical and electrical designs, were undertaken by Delta Built Environment Consultants. Civils 2000 advised and implemented a proposed water tank storage system which was changed from structural steel due to the corrosive environment close to the sea. The structural design concrete blocks in the main bearing face brick walls. The result was in keeping, aesthetically, with the rest of the building. Civils 2000 innovated and employed a local artist to paint the concrete blocks to simulate the surrounding brick, and the result was a huge success with it being virtually impossible to identify the concrete. The extension of the existing sewer pumpstation to accommodate the new pumps that were to be installed was another Civils 2000 design suggestion and in addition Civils 2000’s construction Manager, Kavish Kusial, assisted Exalon Environmental and Delta to create the solution to the wetland capacity and flow problems. Civils 2000 also leant on our building experience by recommending to the designers that a moisture barrier be installed below the concrete work as the initial design did not account for the risk of the vinyl flooring pulling up due to moisture in the floors because of the proximity of the building to the sea. Civils 2000 also recommended the use of air bricks on the 2 nd floor to provide additional

ventilationThe civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering designs and the architectural designs were undertaken by Delta Built Environment Consultants. Civils 2000 were not required to design any of the permanent works; however, temporary works designs were required for scaffolding and formwork. Exalon Environmental Consultants was the client appointed environmental control officer (ECO) and was responsible for ensuring the requirements of the environmental specification and statutory requirements were met by Civils 2000. Manatoka and Blue Gum invasive plant species were removed off-site before flowering to reduce seed dispersal while performing the construction work. Due to the flat topography, the stormwater drainage required some additional works, including a collection pond and constructed wetland area to provide some secondary treatment of stormwater flows. The initial construction period 24 months was extended to 30 months due to additional works being instructed. To reduce time at completion stage, Civils 2000 rectified minor omissions and defects as work progressed and this saved time during the practical completion phase. The building work was completed to a very high standard, particularly the terrazzo flooring and plaster work finishes, and dental installation (PANCEPH 3D unit and chairs), HVAC, electrical, painting, vinyl flooring. All the buildings and civil works were built to SABS 1200 specifications. 

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22 nd Best Projects Awards 2023